Nikki West
Owner. Cider maker. Production. Scientist. Musician.
Jeremy Wimpey
Owner. Mechanic. Operations. Analyst. Navigator.
After years of trials with benchtop cider experiments and volunteering at a friend’s cidery, Virginia natives Nikki West and Jeremy Wimpey decided to fully embark on their own cider adventure under the strange and diffuse light of the total solar eclipse in 2017. Combining their passions for science, nature, music, and art, they established Ciders From Mars, exclusively using Earth-bound apple varieties grown in their home state.
Since the eclipse, Nikki has refined her skills in the cider lab while leveraging her background as a geochemist and implementing new techniques learned from coursework at the Cider Institute of North America. Jeremy helped her scale up operations and establish a small cider orchard in western Augusta county, VA. While Nikki is now consumed full time by Ciders From Mars, Jeremy continues to operate Applied Trails Research out of the Shenandoah Valley.
Ciders From Mars offerings vary from single-varietal cider classics to modern blends and fruit forward co-ferments with auxiliary Virginia fruits. Nikki lends her scientific and artistic biases to production and exploration of the cider space.
In 2021 Ciders From Mars opened its doors to the community in Staunton, VA. The space houses a combination production and lab space with a tap-room, and outdoor deck seating, ultimately cultivating a communal center around cider, art, and music.
Ciders from Mars (CFM) incorporates and begins producing cider in Augusta County, VA.
Co-founder Nikki West begins melding her scientific and artistic passions to develop a variety of ciders.
CFM establishes an orchard in western Augusta County to produce cider specific apple varieties.
Cider production moves from jugs on the kitchen counter to large fermentation tanks in the garage.
The cider production operation expands in Augusta County.
Ciders From Mars lands in Staunton, Virginia at 121 S. Lewis St. with renovations underway.
Made from 100% Virginia-grown Goldrush Apples. Bright and tart, with tropical notes. Off-dry.
Made from 100% Virginia-grown Winesap Apples. Clean and floral, with hints of baked apple. Dry.
Our flagship semi-sweet cider blend of modern and vintage Virginia-grown apple varieties. A balanced and fruit-forward cider to lead the way.
Our flagship dry cider blend of modern and vintage Virginia-grown apple varieties.
Clean and dry, with citrus notes and crisp minerality.
Barrel-aged blend of modern and vintage Virginia-grown apple varieties. Oaky with a spirited sweetness. Notes of caramel and cream soda. Dry.
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