Dabinetts for Sale Eastern Washington State

[thepgr...@gmail.com]

Hi folks, 

I have a friend with a 1/2 acre of cider apples (near Cashmere Washington). This year his Dabinetts are plentiful and he can't find a buyer.  I've been racking my brain trying to help him figure out what to do. Obviously, he can't keep tending to the trees year after year if there aren't any buyers. We are wondering if the mid to large cider makers around here are just so accustomed to using cull dessert apples for cheap that they aren't willing to pay for good cider varieties. But I'm thinking surely there are enough hobbyists around that would be willing to pay for hard-to-find varieties. He's also a busy farmer who doesn't want to chase $20 here and $13 there - He'll need to get folks to purchase a decent amount. Any thoughts on how I help him find those hobbyists? I even wondered if it would be possible to form a sort of co-op/membership model with folks purchasing shares and getting enough apples each year to make 5-30 gallons of cider. I figured I'd post here and see if anyone has thoughts, or wants to buy a bin or two. I can put you in contact. I'd hate to see him cut down his trees. 

[Les Price]

The commercial cider makers are #1 going to stick with whatever is the standard of the industry.... that's desert apples. #2 going to pay as little as possible for whatever apples they do use. This is in America of course. 

I sell my cider apples to dozens of private cider makers most of which are in the 200 - 400 lb picking range. I usually have 2 or 3 buyers who get over 1000 lbs.

Only once in my history have I sold to a commercial cider maker. He was a startup company and was fine with my limited supply but he eventually outgrew me.

The small guys are really my bread and butter but it is hard to juggle everyone around to make sure they all get what they need.

Most of this is about getting your name out there and getting a reputation. At least half of these smaller guys that contact me don't know what they want in the way of apples. It's very easy to educate as to the benefits of using real Bittersweets and Bittersharps and make that long time future customer.

On Sun, Oct 1, 2023, 9:11 PM thepgr...@gmail.com <thepgr...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi folks, 

I have a friend with a 1/2 acre of cider apples (near Cashmere Washington). This year his Dabinetts are plentiful and he can't find a buyer.  I've been racking my brain trying to help him figure out what to do. Obviously, he can't keep tending to the trees year after year if there aren't any buyers. We are wondering if the mid to large cider makers around here are just so accustomed to using cull dessert apples for cheap that they aren't willing to pay for good cider varieties. But I'm thinking surely there are enough hobbyists around that would be willing to pay for hard-to-find varieties. He's also a busy farmer who doesn't want to chase $20 here and $13 there - He'll need to get folks to purchase a decent amount. Any thoughts on how I help him find those hobbyists? I even wondered if it would be possible to form a sort of co-op/membership model with folks purchasing shares and getting enough apples each year to make 5-30 gallons of cider. I figured I'd post here and see if anyone has thoughts, or wants to buy a bin or two. I can put you in contact. I'd hate to see him cut down his trees. 

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[Denise Flynn]

If I was closer, and in the US, I’d be one of those looking for this type of apple. Good luck to the farmer. (I’m a farmer too)

I bought an orchard and it’s mostly desert apples. I’m trying to sneak in cider apples now, (Geneva Crab, Kingston black) and I’m always looking to graft others like this. 

Denise Flynn

Corberrie Cider Company 

902-769-2169

corberriecidercompany.ca

On Oct 2, 2023, at 3:51 AM, Les Price <pugetsoun...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Alma Cider]

I’m a commercial grower/maker here on the west side in WA state. I have my own Dabinette, but know some people closer to you who would buy the fruit from your friend if it is in sound condition.

How many bins do they have total and what’s their price $/lb and contact information. I can pass it along. 

Cheers! 

Y. Dave Klawer

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 2, 2023, at 3:33 AM, Denise Flynn <corberri...@gmail.com> wrote:

If I was closer, and in the US, I’d be one of those looking for this type of apple. Good luck to the farmer. (I’m a farmer too)

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cider-workshop/71211047-2024-49A3-BBE2-0AD9ECA1A676%40gmail.com.

[Ethan H]

I am super curious as to why your friend is not selling them to the Source. They are right down the road in Wenatchee and that is their whole business model, buying high quality premium cider fruit from a collective of local growers to source for small to large cider makers all over the country. 

- Ethan

On Sun, Oct 1, 2023 at 11:11 PM thepgr...@gmail.com <thepgr...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi folks, 

I have a friend with a 1/2 acre of cider apples (near Cashmere Washington). This year his Dabinetts are plentiful and he can't find a buyer.  I've been racking my brain trying to help him figure out what to do. Obviously, he can't keep tending to the trees year after year if there aren't any buyers. We are wondering if the mid to large cider makers around here are just so accustomed to using cull dessert apples for cheap that they aren't willing to pay for good cider varieties. But I'm thinking surely there are enough hobbyists around that would be willing to pay for hard-to-find varieties. He's also a busy farmer who doesn't want to chase $20 here and $13 there - He'll need to get folks to purchase a decent amount. Any thoughts on how I help him find those hobbyists? I even wondered if it would be possible to form a sort of co-op/membership model with folks purchasing shares and getting enough apples each year to make 5-30 gallons of cider. I figured I'd post here and see if anyone has thoughts, or wants to buy a bin or two. I can put you in contact. I'd hate to see him cut down his trees. 

[Jonathan Miner]

Hello, 

I usually make about 20 gallons of hard cider for family consumption each fall with apples we press ourselves. I live in the Seattle area. The apples I have been sourcing are a mix of stuff we have growing in our backyards or can source from friends. That's mostly a mix of desert and baking apples, so my hard cider results aren't really ending with the flavor profile that I ultimately want. I've planted a few classic French apple varieties (Binet Rouge, Medaille d’Or, Michelin, Reine de Pommes) in the past few years at my dad's larger property, they are growing nicely, but at 2 seasons in ground, they aren't producing yet. I would love to get my hands on some of your friend's Dabinetts and would gladly join in an apple share if there are others interested, or help coordinate one if we can find a group of interested hobbyists. I just hate the idea that your friend has these great apples and isn't finding buyers. What a shame! 

Additionally, I know your friend doesn't want to chase $20 bucks at a time, but if you think he would be interested for this year's crop, I'm also willing to make a drive over to Cashmere to buy some directly from him. I'm making cider purely for my own enjoyment and would be happy to pay a good premium over whatever the commercial market is paying. Any idea what price point he wants for a bin? Happy to chat with him and find an arrangement that's worth his while if you want to put me in touch. 

Also, I wonder your friend could have some success with direct reach-outs to some of the cider-makers in the Seattle area? The Northwest Cider Associate keeps a good list: https://www.nwcider.com/our-members/washington-cidermakers/ I know a number of the smaller producers will do single-origin ciders when they can source the right apples, or might like to have bittersweets to mix into their production runs. Dragon's Head, Nashi, Madrone, Rootwood, Greenwood and St-Lo Cider, would probably be most likely bets based on flavor profiles and willingness to try stuff that's more akin to UK and French cider styles.   

Jonathan 

360-710-3356

[thepgr...@gmail.com]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I've given my friend, Pete, some of your insights, and have responded to those that wrote me privately. I'm hoping Pete joins this group and responds/connects with some of you. Otherwise, here is a bit more info: He is looking to sell for $400 a bin or $0.55/lb. His phone is ‭(509) 860-5666‬ if you want to reach out directly. 

[Peter Sanderson]

Hey all,

I'm the farmer Mr. Pgreensoup is talking about. Its wonderful to see all the responses to his query!

The fruit is nice and I have made what I think are lovely ciders with it. It 's a relatively hot site as I'm on a slope with a southern exposure so there's some watercore and a bit of sunburn, but its a good crop.  I'm asking $0.55/lb or $400/bin and I have 6-8 bins. 

If you, or anybody you know is interested, please email or call me ASAP. The crop is ready to be picked and if there are people who want them, I will pick them. Otherwise, I expect that they all will have fallen on the ground in another week or so. As Pgreensoup said, I don't want to spend a lot of time selling baggies of fruit, but will sell smaller quantities (i..e., less than a bin). However, if you do want a bin, I will need the bin back unless you bring boxes and can box them up for the ride home.

Frankly, I think the apples are worth a lot more, but my experience selling to cideries has me wondering if it is worth the hassle of growing these apples. Compared to dessert apples, these are a bugger to grow and biennially bear just from looking at them (I've been told that I'm getting good at the farmer whine!). I'm curious as to what others are asking for their apples. I have not sold to small producer/hobbyists, so I really don't know what the retail(?) market gets. There has to be a better way to sell them that will bring satisfaction to everyone involved.

Ethan, The Source doesn't seem interested. I made an initial contact and then no further response. But, then again, I am not an aggressive marketer. I will try them again and try to talk to somebody rather than just fling emails in space.

Best regards,

Peter Sanderson

(509) 860-5666

On Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 9:11:39 PM UTC-7 thepgr...@gmail.com wrote:

[Patrick Halferty]

Just dabinett or do you have other varieties? 

[Lisa Pedersen]

Hi Peter,

I am on Orcas Island in the San Juan’s. Where are you in Eastern WA?

We may be interested.

Lisa Pedersen

Orcas Isle Cider 

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 19, 2023, at 2:13 AM, Patrick Halferty <patrickh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Just dabinett or do you have other varieties? 

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[Peter Sanderson]

Hi Lisa, l am in the Cashmere-Dryden area. Harvest is done and I have managed to sell most of my apples. If you are interested, I can contact you next year. I have no storage, so I need to get the apples moved quickly after harvest.

Best regards,

Peter

[Lisa Pedersen]

Hi Peter,

Please contact me next year. I would be up for a few totes. 

Thanks!

Lisa 

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 23, 2023, at 9:21 AM, Peter Sanderson <rotd...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Lisa, l am in the Cashmere-Dryden area. Harvest is done and I have managed to sell most of my apples. If you are interested, I can contact you next year. I have no storage, so I need to get the apples moved quickly after harvest.

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cider-workshop/ad32c605-ebe6-41a0-af47-56bb3c4efd70n%40googlegroups.com.

[Peter Sanderson]

Hi Patrick,

I mostly have Dabinett and Yarlington Mill. I also have some Bramley’s Seedling in quantities enough to sell. I have some Chisel Jersey, Brown Snout, and Roxbury Russett, but only a few trees of each. Lastly, I have some Royston Pippin that has just begun to bear  and Kingston Black that is just growing wood so far. Oh yes some Faux Whelp, that makes nice cider if you can get them before they fall.

[Peter Sanderson]

Thanks to you all for the support. I managed to get rid of most of my fruit this year. The orchard has been given a reprieve for another year! 

Best to you all,

Peter

On Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 9:11:39 PM UTC-7 thepgr...@gmail.com wrote: