Baltic Cider News and Events

Latest news about Baltic Cider

2025 Australian Cider Awards Results FINAL
Baltic Cider makers win 27 medals at the Australian Cider Awards 2025
11/04/2025

Craft apple ciders from Latvia, Estonia and Finland made a remarkable debut at the Australian Cider Awards (ACA) – Australia’s largest and most prestigious cider competition – winning 27 medals across multiple categories.

About the Australian Cider Awards

Organised annually by Cider Australia, the Australian Cider Awards are the country’s most influential cider competition and a key gateway to the market. The 2025 edition brought together 231 ciders from around the world, entered in 44 style categories, and evaluated by an expert panel of judges recognised in the international cider community. The competition is known not only for recognising cider quality but also for connecting producers with distributors, retailers, restaurants, and media representatives across Australia. Australian Cider Awards 2025 STYLE GUIDE

Baltic Cider achievements

This year marked the first collective participation of Baltic cider producers under the Baltic Cider brand – representing craft apple ciders from Latvia, Estonia and Finland.

Baltic Cider Portfolio Oct 2025
Discover the Crisp, Authentic Flavours of Baltic Cider
05/15/2025

New Portfolio Launch and Australian Showcase in October 2025!

We’re thrilled to unveil our latest Baltic Cider Portfolio, a curated collection of premium, whole-juice ciders crafted from the cool northern orchards of Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. These exceptional ciders capture the region’s unique terroir—naturally high in acidity, low in tannins, and bursting with vibrant, refreshing aromas. Made exclusively from freshly pressed apples (never from concentrate), our selections blend traditional heritage varieties with innovative infusions of fruits, berries, and herbs for a sophisticated yet approachable taste profile.

Cider events

Feb 3-5, 2026

Baltic Cider at CiderCon® 2026

Asnate Ziemele CiderCon

or the first time ever, Baltic Cider is part of the official program at CiderCon® 2026 (February 2-5) - the biggest cider conference in the world, taking place in Providence, Rhode Island (USA).

On February 5, we’ll host the panel “World of Cider: The Baltic Region”, exploring cider culture in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — where tradition meets innovation. We will share our stories and explore the character, traditions, and the identity of Baltic cider. Asnāte Ziemele from the Baltic Cider team will moderate the session, and our cider makers-Abuls, Mr. Plūme, and Pienjāņi - will present 3 specially selected ciders for tasting.

You can also taste ciders from Pienjāņi, Abuls Cidery, Mr. Plūme and Lauskis at the Cider Share Welcoming Reception on February 3.


Proud to share the Baltic cider story with the world!

Oct 21-30, 2025

Australian Cider Awards 2025

ACA 2025

Craft apple ciders from Latvia, Estonia and Finland made a remarkable debut at the Australian Cider Awards (ACA) – Australia’s largest and most prestigious cider competition – winning 27 medals across multiple categories.

About the Australian Cider Awards

Organised annually by Cider Australia, the Australian Cider Awards are the country’s most influential cider competition and a key gateway to the market. The 2025 edition brought together 231 ciders from around the world, entered in 44 style categories, and evaluated by an expert panel of judges recognised in the international cider community. The competition is known not only for recognising cider quality but also for connecting producers with distributors, retailers, restaurants, and media representatives across Australia. Australian Cider Awards 2025 STYLE GUIDE

This year marked the first collective participation of Baltic cider producers under the Baltic Cider brand – representing craft apple ciders from Latvia, Estonia and Finland. Read about Baltic cider results

Oct 20 - Nov 1, 2025

Promotional Events Australia 2025

Promotional Events Australia Oct Nov 2025

Presentation, tasting, and discussion dedicated to introducing authentic Baltic and Finnish ciders to Australia.

We are bringing a distinguished high-quality product crafted from the natural juice of apples cultivated in our orchards. This cider is the result of meticulous handcrafting, and we are proud to introduce it to a global audience.

During these events, we will provide an overview of the cidermaking process in the Baltics and Finland. We will present a selection of our artisanal ciders for tasting, complemented by traditional Latvian appetizers chosen to enhance the unique flavor profiles. We will also discuss the opportunities for culinary tourism, inviting you to visit our cideries and orchards as a travel destination.

 

More about these events in in invitation article.

Baltic Cider Facebook News

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A true Baltic Cider highlight at #CiderCon2026, USA 🇺🇸 On February 5, we hosted the Baltic Cider panel 🌍 “World of Cider: The Baltic Region” — and it truly felt like a special moment for Baltic cider. ☺️ The session gathered more than 100 attendees and was filled with an open, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere. There was genuine curiosity, thoughtful questions, and real appreciation for what is happening in the Baltic cider scene. Led by Asnate Ziemele, the head and heart of Baltic Cider, together with Latvian cider makers Mārtiņš Knipšis (🍎Pienjāņi), Janis Matvejs (🍎Abuls Cidery), and Maris Plume (🍎Mr. Plūme Cidery), the panel shared stories of tradition, apples, experimentation, and the unique paths Baltic cider makers are taking. 🥂Tasting the ciders during the session made the stories even more tangible — and the kind words and encouragement we received mean a lot. They give us energy to keep going and confirm that we are truly on the right path. 🫶Thank you to everyone who joined us, tasted, listened, and supported Baltic cider. We’re proud of what we’re building — together. ℹ️ The project “Knowledge-based production of Baltic cider and brand development for the growth and competitiveness of SMEs (Baltic Cider)” is carried out within the Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021–2027. Thank you! 🙂 #BalticCider #CiderCon2026
What a start to CiderCon®️ 2026! 🤩 ✨ Cider Share Welcoming Reception @CiderCon®️ 2026 | February 3 The Cider Share Welcoming Reception was buzzing — and the interest in Baltic Cider was truly overwhelming. 💛So many great conversations, questions, tastings, and genuine excitement about Baltic cider styles. 🍾Ciders from 🇱🇻 Latvia🥂 "Pienjāņi"🥂 Abuls 🥂Mr. Plūme 🥂 Lauskis and 🥂Sodo (🇱🇹 Lithuania) were poured throughout the evening, giving cider professionals from around the world a chance to taste the Baltic region — from orchard-driven classics to wild and expressive styles. 🫶Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by, tasted, shared feedback, and showed so much love for our ciders. This is exactly how you kick off the world’s biggest cider conference 🍾🌍 Baltic cider is here — and the world is tasting it. ℹ️ The project “Knowledge-based production of Baltic cider and brand development for the growth and competitiveness of SMEs (Baltic Cider)” is carried out within the Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021–2027. Thank you! :) #BalticCider #CiderCon2026 #cidershare
🍏Pienjāņi Cidery - home of Latvia’s only organically certified cider. Since 2009, this Skaistkalne-based farm has grown both local and cider-specific apple varieties, working hand in hand with Latvian horticultural scientists to shape a truly distinctive cider culture. 🍎And now it's time for the world stage! 🌎 For the first time ever, Baltic Cider is part of the official program at CiderCon® 2026 in Providence, USA. 📍 February 5 At the panel “World of Cider: The Baltic Region”, Baltic cider cultures from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will take the spotlight, where tradition meets innovation. The panel is led by Asnate Ziemele, Head of Baltic Cider, together with Latvian producers • Jānis Matvejs (Abuls Cidery) • Mārtiņš Knipšis (Pienjāņi) • Māris Plūme (Mr. Plūme Cidery) 🍾 During the tasting, guests will try three Latvian ciders, including Pienjāņi’s organic dry rosé cider “Jēpis”, a still, easy-drinking single-variety Hyslop apple cider. From organic orchards in Latvia to the world’s biggest cider conference, this is Baltic cider, proudly shared! 🥂
The European Commission has resumed work on a new cider standard (Proposal of possible Marketing Standards and Optional Reserved Terms for cider products and perry products). Unfortunately, the current version does not ensure fair competition for all producers. The standard allows a beverage sold under the name “cider” to be produced almost entirely from concentrate rather than from natural apple juice. This misleads consumers and places producers who make cider traditionally — from freshly pressed, fermented juice — at a competitive disadvantage. Industrial production using concentrate is fast and inexpensive, while the production of authentic cider is a slow and labour-intensive process that results in fundamentally different flavour, aroma, and overall quality. Regrettably, it appears that the authors of the document view cider merely in terms of alcohol and sugar, failing to recognise its broader importance for gastronomy, culinary tourism, local economies, and regional development. Our proposals: • “Premium cider” — produced exclusively from freshly pressed apple juice • “Cider” — produced primarily from fresh juice, with a clearly defined and limited allowance for juice made from concentrate • The use of concentrate as the main raw material permitted only in the “Cider-based drinks” category • Mandatory labelling indicating whether natural juice or concentrate has been used in production On 5 February, an expert group meeting of the European Commission’s Wine and Spirits Committee will take place. We hope that our proposals will be taken into account in shaping Latvia’s position — in support of fair competition and high-quality cider! 🥂
Discover Tori Siidritalu 🍏 Located in Soomaa, Estonia, Tori Cider Farm has been producing organic cider since 2014. Owners Karmo and Veranika are hands-on from start to finish, cultivating their own fruit across nearly 10 hectares of orchards and 3 hectares of berries, making Tori one of the largest organic cider farms in the Baltics. 🌳Sustainability and purity are at the heart of everything they do. Using only organic methods, they create premium-quality cider that's free from additives and true to the fruit. Every bottle reflects their dedication to craft and commitment to working in harmony with nature. https://siidritalu.ee/en/ Watch the full video featuring all Estonian craft cider houses under the Baltic Cider brand: https://youtu.be/aBXZqp5dg8E?si=n5bJ-nsJ0CMKxprG 🎥 Puhkus Maal - Estonian Rural Tourism Organization | Produced by Caviar Films | Supported by the Central Baltic Programme | BALT-FIN-CIDER project
How to taste cider – step by step 🍏 We recently shared our 📝Cider Tasting Journal — a practical guide to exploring cider flavours, structure and styles. This short reel is a glimpse into the tasting process itself. 📽 In the full version, cider maker Krišjānis Putniņš from Mūrbūdu sidrs walks through cider tasting step by step — from the first look and aroma to flavour, structure and finish. The video complements the journal and helps turn tasting into a more attentive, enjoyable experience. 👉 Discover the full video and the Cider Tasting Journal here: https://balticcider.com/en/discover/art-of-cider-tasting ℹ️Developed within the BASCIL project, supported by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021–2027. #MadewithInterreg #BalticCider #CiderTasting #latvianciderroute
Baltic Cider goes global! 🌎 🥳😎 For the first time ever, Baltic Cider is part of the official program at CiderCon® 2026 — the world’s biggest and most influential cider conference, taking place in Providence, Rhode Island (USA). On 📍February 5, we’ll host the panel “World of Cider: The Baltic Region”, exploring cider cultures across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, where tradition, terroir, and innovation meet. The panel will be led by Asnate Ziemele, Head of Baltic Cider, together with Latvian cider producers Jānis Matvejs (Abuls Cidery), Mārtiņš Knipšis (Pienjāņi) and Māris Plūme (Mr. Plūme Cidery), who will share firsthand insights into Baltic cider-making. During the session, attendees will taste three distinctive Latvian ciders that reflect the diversity of Baltic cider styles. 🍾Abuls Cidery will present Naturalist Pét-Nat 2023, a dry vintage cider made from estate-grown English bittersweet apples blended with Antonovka and wild crab apples, wild-fermented for depth and character. 🍾Mr. Plūme Cidery will pour Wild Pét-Nat 2023, a lively wild-fermented cider with natural residual sweetness. 🍾From Pienjāņi Cidery, guests will taste the organic dry rosé cider “Jēpis”, a still, easy-drinking single-variety Hyslop apple cider. 🥂Baltic ciders will also be featured at the Cider Share Welcoming Reception on 📍February 3, where ciders from Pienjāņi, Abuls Cidery, Mr. Plūme, and Lauskis will be poured. Proud to share Baltic cider with the world 🌍✨American Cider ℹ️ The project “Knowledge-based production of Baltic cider and brand development for the growth and competitiveness of SMEs (Baltic Cider)” is carried out within the Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021–2027. Thank you! :) Association #CiderCon #cidercon2026
📢A new Cider Tasting Journal is now available.🥳 🥂It was created as a practical companion for anyone who wants to explore cider more thoughtfully — step by step, at their own pace. The journal helps pay closer attention to flavours, structure and different cider styles, and encourages tasting with curiosity rather than rules. 📝Designed for both experienced cider lovers and those just beginning their cider journey, the journal guides you through aromas and flavour nuances, balance and texture — sweetness, acidity and tannins — while leaving plenty of space for your own observations and impressions. 🎥To complement the journal, we have also created a step-by-step video guide to cider tasting, led by cider maker Krišjānis Putniņš (Mūrbūdu sidrs). In the video, he walks through the tasting process in a clear and accessible way — from the first look and aroma to flavour, structure and finish — making it a useful reference both at home and when tasting on site. 📍Alongside the tasting pages, the journal also points the way to where real cider can be found — through the cideries of the Latvian Cider Route and Baltic Cider — and offers a clear overview of how cider is made. 📝Most importantly, it becomes a personal record: something to return to, compare notes with, and build your own understanding of cider over time. 🚗We invite you to take the Cider Tasting Journal with you when visiting cideries and tasting cider where it is made. Conversations with cider makers, tastings on site and experiencing cider in its place of origin add depth to every glass. The printed journal is available at Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays office in Riga, at Sabiles Sidrs shop in Āgenskalns Market, and at cideries along the Latvian Cider Route. The journal and a detailed step-by-step video guide are also available online on the Baltic Cider website: 👉 https://balticcider.com/en/discover/art-of-cider-tasting ℹ️Developed within the BASCIL project, supported by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021–2027. #MadewithInterreg
At Āgenskalns Market, the Sabiles Sidrs shop is waiting for you, where you can explore the full range of Sabile ciders and take your time discovering the world of Latvian apple cider. 🍏🍎 Alongside Sabile cider, the shop also offers products from other local producers: Abava, Sidra darītava Abuls, Zilver dzērienu darītava, and this selection is sure to grow over time. 🌕 The Sabile Cider shop at Āgenskalna tirgus is a place where the Latvian Cider Trail and the Latvian Cheese Trail meet. Next to the cider, you’ll also find Soira cheese. Cider and cheese are flavors that increasingly meet and complement each other, and we’re truly delighted by it! Authentic cider made from Latvian apples pairs beautifully with locally crafted, high-quality cheese. It’s a meeting of flavors that tells the story of our land, our artisans, and the skill it takes to create something truly our own. 🧀🥂 Cider tastings are available at the shop, complemented by Soira cheese, giving you the chance to experience this perfect pairing. If you haven’t visited yet, head to Āgenskalns Market and discover the flavors of Latvian cider and cheese! 🇱🇻
Today we’re heading to the quiet countryside of Perniö in southwest Finland - home to Hallonmäki, a small family-run cidery shaped by land, tradition, and time 🍏🇫🇮 Founded in 2018 by two brothers, Hallonmäki continues a family story that began over a century ago, on the same land where their great-grandfather once farmed. What started as a traditional farm naturally grew into a cidery, a way to honour that heritage while exploring the craft of real cider. 🌿✨ Hallonmäki’s ciders are made using traditional methods and only local ingredients: freshly pressed apples from nearby growers, hand-picked fruit from old orchards, and berries from their own farm and surrounding nature. The result is cider that feels honest, grounded, and quietly expressive 🍎🥂 During the season, visitors can stop by the farm shop to taste the full range, meet the makers, and experience cider shaped by place, just as it has been for generations! #balticcider #craftcider #hallonmäki
❓How to taste cider – step by step ✅ 🍎🥂Cider tasting is more than just a sip. It’s about slowing down, paying attention and discovering what each cider has to offer — from its appearance and aromas to its structure, flavour and finish. By tasting step by step, you can better understand different cider styles, notice subtle nuances and build your own tasting experience. There are no right or wrong answers — only personal impressions and discoveries. ❓Curious to explore cider further? Discover the Art of Cider Tasting at balticcider.com — explore our cider tasting journal and a detailed step-by-step video guide to help you taste with confidence. 🌐 https://balticcider.com/en/discover/art-of-cider-tasting 🍎 Taste. Discover. Enjoy responsibly. Cheers! #cidertasting #balticcider #ciderculture #latviancideroute #tastingexperience
The Baltic Cider tasting at the Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide has been met with genuine interest, warm conversations, and very positive feedback. 🥂🍎😊 ☀️With the Australian summer in full swing (36–40°C) - a cool, crisp glass of cider has proven to be exactly what people are looking for. 🍎Baltic cider, known for being fresh, clean, and refreshing, as well as naturally made and well-balanced, has stood out as something different from the sweeter cider styles many Australians are used to — and that difference has been warmly appreciated. On site, visitors are welcomed by Krisjanis Putnins from Mūrbūdu sidrs, who is representing Baltic Cider in Adelaide. Alongside Mūrbūdu ciders, guests can taste ciders from four Baltic Cider producers: Mūrbūdu Cidery, 🇱🇻 Abuls, 🇱🇻 Sabiles Sidrs, and 🇪🇪 Tori - offering a broad and diverse view of contemporary Baltic cider making across Latvia and Estonia. 🎻Beyond the cider tasting, the event at Latvian Hall offers a lively mix of concerts, choirs, folk dance, theatre, and exhibitions, bringing people together until 31 January. As long as the cider lasts, everyone is warmly welcome to stop by, taste, and enjoy. Alongside the tastings, many visitors have taken time to browse the Baltic Cider portfolio and newspaper - reading, asking questions, and discovering the stories behind the ciders.😎 Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to taste, chat, and share the moment with us, and to the organisers and community who make this such a special experience.☺️ Priekā! 🇱🇻 🇱🇻 🇱🇻
On the winter solstice, we visited Kodas in South Estonia. Fresh snow had just fallen and the rolling hills of the region were especially beautiful ❄️ In the Northern Hemisphere, the solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the point where the light slowly starts to return ✨ 🍏 KODAS philosophy is that humans should live with nature, not above it. Sustainability is part of their everyday practice, with a circular approach that uses the whole apple and transforms byproducts into spirits, purees and more. The apples are grown organically to maintain their true flavors. One of their most beloved apple cider creations is Pööripäev, meaning "Solstice" in Estonian. This Christmas cider glows with a deep red hue and has notes of comforting holiday spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger, capturing the essence of the season🎄 More about KODAS Cider House here: https://kodas.ee/ https://balticcider.com/en/cidery/kodas #BalticCider #CraftCider #Estonia #InterregCentralBaltic
Cold winters and patience can create something truly special — and ice cider is a perfect example of that. ❄️ 🍎It’s made from apples (or pears) that have naturally frozen, concentrating the juice before fermentation even begins. This creates a cider that is richer and more intense than usual, with natural sweetness balanced by bright acidity. Ice cider typically has a moderate alcohol level (around 7–12% ABV) and is best enjoyed in small pours. At the Australian Cider Awards 2025, these ice ciders from the Baltic and Nordic regions were recognised for their quality and craftsmanship: 🥈 Silver Medals • Vega Ice Cider — @lepola_drinks (Finland) 🇫🇮 • Jää / Ice — @tori_siidritalu (Estonia) 🇪🇪 🥉 Bronze Medal • Muusa 11 – Ice Cider — @vaskicider (Finland) 🇫🇮 🥂Ice cider is often enjoyed as a dessert drink — slowly, thoughtfully, and at the end of a meal. 🙏🏻 And in the same spirit, this feels like a fitting way to close our Australian Cider Awards series, celebrating the achievements of Baltic Cider producers and their success on the international stage. 🍏✨ #BalticCider #AustralianCiderAwards #CraftCider #InterregCentralBaltic @cideraustralia
Wood aging adds depth, structure and time to cider — allowing apples, tannins and oak to slowly come together and create something truly expressive. In the @cideraustralia Wood Aged cider and perry category (Class 36), the focus is on drinks that have spent time in wooden barrels, gaining complexity, texture and subtle notes from the wood, while still keeping fruit at the heart of the cider. 🍎🌳 Congratulations to @murbudu_sidrs for this well-deserved recognition in this demanding and expressive category! 🥈 Silver Medal • LIDUMNIEKS Single Orchard — Murbudu Cider(Latvia🇱🇻) 🍾Līdumnieks is Murbudu’s first single orchard vintage cider (2023), made as a field blend of mostly wild seedling apple varieties, complemented by traditional English cider apples. The cider was aged for several months in French and American oak, allowing the fruit and wood to integrate naturally over time. 🥂On the nose, it shows earthy apple and oak, with hints of tobacco, vanilla, citrus and blossom. 🍎On the palate, it’s rich and tannin-driven, with flavours of wild apple, forest floor, citrus and softly balanced oak sweetness. Dry, modern in style and sparkling, this cider offers depth and character with every sip. Produced in very limited quantities, Līdumnieks is mainly available during on-site cider tastings at the cidery, making it a special experience for true cider enthusiasts. #BalticCider #AustralianCiderAwards #WoodAgedCider #CraftCider #CiderAwards #latvianciderroute #InterregCentralBaltic
🌱 Herbs, spices and botanicals have become an exciting way for cider makers to create new flavours, and this category at the Australian Cider Awards celebrates exactly that. 🌿🍏Here, ciders are made with carefully selected botanicals that should support, not overpower, the natural apple character. The key is balance, clarity of flavour and a clean finish, while allowing the botanical notes to shine in a natural and expressive way. ✨Australian Cider Awards 2025 – Cider or Perry with Botanicals (Class 35) 🥳And we have fantastic news — a Baltic Cider producer won the Gold medal and the category itself! 🥇 Gold & Category Winner • Gin Botanical — @murbudu_sidrs (🇱🇻Latvia) 🍊Inspired by gin botanicals — juniper, orange peel and coriander — this semi-dry sparkling cider combines fresh apple character with aromatic, gently bitter citrus notes and a refined herbal finish. 🥈 Silver Medal • Säde — @kodasbrand (🇪🇪Estonia) ❄️A winter-inspired cider with warming spice notes, soft fruit character and a gently aromatic finish. 🥉 Bronze Medal • Apple Cider with Hops — TĀLAVA (Latvia) 🪴A vibrant apple cider infused with hops, adding herbal freshness, bitterness and a clean, crisp edge. Huge congratulations to our cider producers for their amazing results! 🍾✨ #BalticCider #AustralianCiderAwards #CraftCider #InterregCentralBaltic @cideraustralia
Today we’re heading to Lēdmane parish in Latvia - to Krape Manor, where nearly century old apple trees and 300 year old cellars shape the character of Lauskis cider and fruit wine. 🍏🇱🇻 Though Lauskis was founded in 2019, its roots reach deep into family history: the cidery is named after the founder’s great-grandfather, Vilis Lauskis, whose legacy still lives in the old orchard. Those same trees, planted almost a century ago, continue to produce the apples behind every bottle. 🌿✨ In the vaulted stone cellars of the manor, Lauskis crafts semi-dry and semi-sweet apple ciders, along with expressive fruit blends, work that has earned international recognition at NICA and SISGA. 🥇⚡️ Visitors can step into the manor’s atmospheric underground hallways for tastings, then wander the park among ancient oaks and along the peaceful Lobe River. #balticcider #lauskis #craftcider #madeinlatvia #cideraustralia