Our Story

The story began in Fall 2006 when BlackBird Cider Works founder Scott Donovan purchased a commercial apple orchard in the Town of Somerset, Niagara County, New York from the Bittner family who operate Bittner Singer Farms, a large grower of apples, pears, and stone fruit in Niagara county.

As they learned the commercial tree fruit business, Scott and co-founder Margaret Glover also began experimenting with blends of apples making small batches of hard cider using a restored 1920’s cider press.

With the help of a very long-time friend and Finger Lakes winemaker Steve DiFrancisco, early hard cider recipes began to form in 5 glass gallon carboys.

Just four years later, in late 2011, now able to competently grow quality apples and pears and produce quality ciders, the team secured their licenses to produce and sell hard cider. Having made small prototypes of four labels, and sold and served in local establishments in Rochester. On December 31st, 2011 with very basic bottling equipment, the team pulled off a 150 case New Year’s Eve production run, finishing the last case minutes before the New Year rang in. The BlackBird Cider Works tasting room was opened in March of 2012. That year a modest 900 gallons of hard cider was produced and sold. From those humble beginnings, with the help of many folks from far and wide, the company has now grown to a medium size producer of craft hard cider.

Summer Cider Festival I – A small gathering of local folks with connections to area brewing, cider making, and cider drinking including both Woodcock families.

BlackBird Cider Works becomes the 18^th member of the Niagara Wine Trail.

BlackBird Cider Works signs exclusive distribution agreements with Try-It Distribution and Lake Beverage giving then solid distribution in the Western New York area.

BlackBird sees its products in its first prominent Western, New York chain store.

Addition added to main cidery building.

October 2015 Products begin being packaged in 12 oz. cans.

Christmas Cider makes its first appearance in large chain stores.

BlackBird Cider Works wins double gold for dry oak aged and gold with Estate Reserve at the New York State Commercial Wine and Cider competition.

BlackBird Cider Works Celebrates 5 full years of operation.

BlackBird Ciders distributed in 7 states.

BlackBird Cider Works wins Gold and third in show for traditional ciders with Black Rock – Kingston Black Cider.

BlackBird Cider Works officially announces the opening of an urban location. Located in the historic Black Rock neighborhood of Buffalo. The Buffalo Cider Hall offers a second location for customers.

BlackBird Cider Works wins Gold and third in show for traditional ciders with Black Rock – Kingston Black Cider.

BlackBird Cider Works opens the Buffalo Cider Hall in the historic Black Rock neighborhood in the city of Buffalo. Featuring the entire collection of BlackBird Cider Works hard ciders, the venue celebrates Buffalo’s connection with agriculture and the transportation of agricultural products. Included in the venue is several spaces for private events.

BlackBird Cider Works selected to produce the 2019 Erie County Fair amateur cider competition winner. The cider will be served at the 2019 Erie County Fair.