Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 15, 2004

Media contact:
Patricia Burns
Thompson Lloyd Communications
tel: 250 860 0907
E-mail

(KELOWNA, BC) – Since its debut, the latest addition to the Raven Ridge Cidery’s family of products, True Sparkling Cider, has been garnering some very favourable feedback from consumers and critics alike.

The sparkling cider is made on-site at Kelowna Land & Orchard by cider-maker, Roger Wong with Braeburn apples grown on the farm. A long, cool primary fermentation helps to retain the distinctive apple flavour. The second fermentation happens in the bottle and is responsible for the delicate bubbles and long-lasting mousse. After 12 months of special care, each bottle is hand-riddled and finished with a sparkling wine cork and cage.

“I chose Braeburns because, after tasting their juice, I thought they’d make the best sparkling cider, ” recalls Roger Wong. “The lively, crisp acidity of the Braeburn apple lends this sparkling cider its elegant structure. In addition to the refreshing mousse, I find that the True Sparkling has a fresh acidity, much like a bubbly cuvee.

“I suggest that people enjoy this unique cider with salads, Asian dishes or dessert. It is sure to compliment any celebration,” he concludes.

“We all loved it when we first tried it,” says Nicole Bullock, Manager of Raven Ridge Cidery. “We served ‘True’ for the first time at our Bounty of the World Dinner on June 11, and everyone there thought it was wonderful, too. Since Jurgen Gothe liked our still cider so much, we thought we’d see what he thought.”

“And now there's this relative newcomer from Kelowna--land of great apples--called Raven Ridge True Sparkling Cider,” writes Gothe. “Winemaker and cider guy Roger Wong's state-of-the-art creation tastes so good--and true--they put it up in a heavy champagne bottle, punt and all, with a champagne cork and wire cage to keep the bubbles and flavours in until you want them to come out. Which they do with a huge pop … it's not a bit sweet--dry, fresh, crisp, damn near crunchy, and certainly very apple-y. This is serious stuff for good meals: Sunday dinners, patio parties, spicy stir-fries, salads, desserts. Pour it in a stem glass, well iced, and there's a whole new surprise treat. From the cidery in Kelowna and selected stores about town; it's worth calling around.”

Raven Ridge True Sparkling Cider retails for $19.95 for a 750 ml bottle. In addition to the True Sparkling Cider, Raven Ridge products include still and iced ciders. A tasting room is located at the orchard where guests are able to sample and purchase products, which are also featured at The Teahouse Restaurant at KLO. In the Lower Mainland, Raven Ridge Cidery products are available at The Broadway International Wine Shop in Vancouver, West Vancouver’s Liberty Wine Merchants and the John B Cold Beer & Wine Shop in Coquitlam. The cider products can also be ordered online at Purchase Page.

For more information on Raven Ridge Cidery, or Kelowna Land & Orchard, please visit K-L-O.com or call 250 763 1091.

Photo attachment: Raven Ridge True Sparkling cider debuts to critical and consumer acclaim. High resolution image available upon request