Our Farm

Our Land

Swigart Farms is nestled on the northern slope of a shallow valley on the banks of Lammes Creek in Sugarcreek Township, Ohio.

Our well drained, highly fertile Miamian Silt-Loam soil sits six feet deep, atop a layer of calcium-rich Ordovician limestone. We enjoy a mild climate: cold winters, wet springs, and hot, dry, humid summers. Our southerly aspect and aggressive creek drainage combine to form an ideal site for growing fine cider apples, in what would otherwise be a challenging location.

Our orchard floor is comprised of white and red clovers, annual rye, and various seasonal covers, such as Hairy Vetch. Our management is minimal - we spray for tree health, not for disease eradication. Soil nutrients, especially trace minerals, are closely monitored and adjusted using nonchemical means.

Ciders produced from our apples possess a unique and immediately recognizable terroir.

Our Trees

Swigart Farms grows heirloom American, English, and Spanish cider varieties. Our varietal selection is carefully tailored to produce thoughtful, well-balanced blends and robust, expressive single varietals. Our first block, planted in 2019, is comprised of Golden Russet, Winesap, Hewe’s Crab, Arkansas Black, Ashmead Kernal, Michelin, Harrison, Black Twig, and Kingston Black. We grow freestanding trees on M111 and B118 semistandard rootstocks, training into both Central Leader and modified French Axe.

Our Nursery

Swigart Farms produces between 400 and 1000 new grafts every Spring. March is our grafting season. We source scionwood from dedicated “mother trees”, pruned specifically to generate large quantities of first-year new-growth wood. Our nursery contains several new varieties, not yet planted into our production blocks. These include Porter’s Perfection, Solarina, Arman Sharpe, Yarlington Mill, Coloradona, and Collaos.

Our Ciders

Swigart Farms produces estate-grown, small-batch, single-varietal, naturally fermented, bottle conditioned, pet-nat ciders. Our first vintage is expected to be ready for market in Summer 2024.