Clendenen Cider Works has been in continuous operation since 1909 when Ernest Clifton and May Long Clendenen purchased a producing apple orchard in Fortuna, CA. With apple varieties like Minkler, Smith’s Cider and Stark, they shipped and sold boxed apples, but soon started making cider – pure, unpasteurized, and 100% natural. (Check the history page for the family story of Clendenen Cider Works.)
Today, E. C. and May’s grandson Clif Clendenen and his son Drew are making that same cider using apples from those same trees and 25 other varieties planted since then. Apples from other orchards, both locally and from Sonoma County are blended as well.
Open from mid August through January, Clendenen Cider Works has expanded to include farm fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, and other seasonal produce.