We chose the name Northwest Territory as a tribute to the rich, layered history of the land we call home. In the late 18th century, following the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the United States government began issuing land grants to pioneers willing to venture west into the Ohio country. As part of these grants, settlers were required to plant at least 50 apple trees—an early recognition of the apple’s value not just as a food source, but as a symbol of permanence and civilization. Cider, then, was more than just a drink—it was a necessity for survival, a preservable form of calories, and a marker of new roots being laid in unfamiliar ground.
The legendary figure of Johnny Appleseed, or John Chapman, threads through this story as both a literal and symbolic presence. A nurseryman, missionary, and conservationist, Chapman traveled the frontier planting apple nurseries across the Northwest Territory, including here in Ohio. The trees he planted weren’t meant for eating, but for making cider—practical, hearty, and essential for life on the frontier. His legacy reminds us that cider has always been part of our national story, a beverage tied to the landscape and the people who shaped it. We see our work as a continuation of that story—fermenting a drink that honors place, time, and tradition.
Zach, our cider maker, spends countless hours each fall foraging throughout Northeast Ohio, gathering apples from old, forgotten trees that still bear fruit. These remote and tangled places—overgrown, quiet, and wild—evoke the kind of untamed terrain those early settlers would have encountered between 1787 and 1803, the years when Ohio was part of the original Northwest Territory. In those moments, we are reminded that the land still holds the same spirit of resilience, mystery, and promise.
Though cider was once the most widely consumed beverage on the American frontier, its legacy was nearly erased during Prohibition. Countless historic cider orchards—planted with bitter, tannic apple varieties ideal for fermentation—were cut down or abandoned in the 1920s, and the culture surrounding traditional cider-making nearly disappeared. What survived was a watered-down version, and today, many of the ciders found on grocery store shelves are flavored, sweetened, and bear little resemblance to the complex, dry, and rustic ciders of early America. At Northwest Territory, we are reviving that original spirit by crafting ciders with depth, character, and a sense of place—restoring a forgotten heritage, one bottle at a time.
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What's NEXT for NorthwestTerritory CIDER CO.
Though our plan has changed since our first vision of Northwest Territory, our dedication to bringing you terroir forward dry cider has not. We're still working hard toward our goal of launching our ciders to the public in 2026. Check out our plans below, and be sure to sign up for our email list to stay up to date on our launch, planned events and more.
2026
2027
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We plan to launch Northwest Territory Cider Co. in the spring/summer of 2026, with a focus on select retail locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
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In addition to retail sales, we'll offer a Cider Club membership which will feature quarterly cider shipments, and a series of chef's dinners throughout the area where guests will enjoy live entertainment, food & cider pairings and more.
2028
2030
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As our trees mature, we'll open the orchard to the public with a seasonal outdoor tasting room, and the addition of a large canvas tent for weddings and events.
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Guests will be able to explore the orchard and gardens while sipping on cider. A menu of light fare will be available to round out the tasting experience.