Cockrell Hard Cider Has Roots in Puyallup

Valley Red Hard Cider made with apples and
raspberries Cockrell grows himself.

Located between Puyallup and Sumner on the corner of Benston Dr. E and 114th Ave. Ct. E., many local residents are familiar with the Gwendon Farms sign, a landmark for a local farming tradition along the banks of the Puyallup River. The farm was established in 1967 by Don and Gwendolyn Dewey who operated the 7 acre farm for decades growing apples, cherries, raspberries and rhubarb.  At its peak, the farm had over 1500 apple trees covering two dozen varieties.

The Puyallup Valley has been an agriculture leader in Washington State for over 100 years.  Rich Cockrell, who recently purchased Gwendon Farms to start Pierce County's first hard cidery, has now joined the respected list of local farmers.

Though his business is new, Cockrell has been making hard cider for more than 15 years and his brother John is also a partner in this venture.  The Deweys, who did not want to sell their property to a developer, agreed to sell the farm to Cockrell this summer.

Currently there are only a few liberties and johnny gold apple trees on the property, but Cockrell has planted new Jonastar trees for their rootstalk and will be grafting a variety of new apple trees next year.  His new tree stock, while producing terrible eating apples, will produce apples that are great for making hard cider.

Cockrell explained that our climate here in the pacific northwest is a lot like England, the home of the original cider, and that cider apples grow better in coastal regions.  He has a five year vision for growing his own cider apples and creating an outstanding English style cider that is grown, pressed, fermented and packaged on his farm.  And he wants to create a variety of ciders flavored with raspberries and plums he is also growing on his farm for complete control of the end product.  When asked to describe the taste of his hard cider Cockrell said "crisp and refreshing".

Cockrell Hard Cider is now being served in local restaurants and pubs like Arista Pasta and Puyallup River Alehouse.  He also hopes to open a tasting room on the property in the near future.