402: Michigan's Simply, Spectacular PIF Cider

Cider Chat

Meet the Founders of Presque Isle Farm Cider a.k.a PIF

Molly and Dion Stepanski are the founders of of PIF Cider with an inviting Tasting Room located in Alpena, Michigan. They met in New Orleans where Dion was working as a Jazz muscian and Molly in a store. In 2014 they move to farm vegetables at Dion’s family farm in Posen, MI. There they planted a one acre orchard which Dion describes as high density, but not trellised. They sources their apples from Michigan’s TraverseCity area which is to the west of Alpena.

Dion and Molly

From the outset they wanted to make English Style Ciders and by all accounts they are hitting this target straight out producing delectable ciders that please the palate and made this cider podcast host swoon with delight.

In this Cider Chat with PIF Producers

• The backstory of PIF and the Stepanski’s journey to cider
• Cider making techniques at PIF
  • Native yeas
  • Barrel program
  • Blends and Single varietal
• The cider fans of Presque Island and the surrounding area.
  • What can guests expect when visiting.
• How to get PIF products!

PIF Cider Tasted

• 2022 Farmhouse 8.2%
  • Kingston Black
  • Bulmers Norman
  • Brown Snout
  • Northern Spy
  • Label by their son
• Kingston Black and Bulmers 50/50
  • Made in Stainless
• Single Varietal Spitzenberg 2021 12.5%
  • Aged for 2 years in Bourbon Barrel
• Clean Ciders meaning pitched yeast
  • Golden Russet, Harrison blend 9% semi dry
  • Bulmers Norman and Coxs Orange Pippin
  • Farmhouse back sweeten with French Bittersweet concentrate
    • This is in a can and is a slight variation from the 750 ml bottles

Ciders for sale in Taproom

Contact info for Presque Island Farm Cider

• Website: https://pifcider.com/
• PIF Tasting Room address:
  • 205 W. Chisholm St. Alpena, Michigan
• Taproom Telephone: tele: 01-989.340.0970
• Instagram: @pifcider

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• New York International Cider Competition 2024
• French Cider Tour 2024
• Étienne Dupont – listen to Episode 337