About Us
We focus on what makes a great hard cider: local passion, unique heritage & quality apples.
Our Story
Farmers first and foremost, we’ve been growing great tasting apples since 1909.
Embark Craft Ciderworks was founded by apple growers, passionate about farming and showcasing unique flavor profiles in craft ciders. As farmers first and foremost, we know it’s the quality and uniqueness of the apples we use that make a great cider. We trust the apples (and in some cases, other fruits and natural ingredients) to provide the exceptional flavor you’ve come to love. No artificial ingredients needed.
We’re passionate about the local food movement—the power of food allows us to create the total cider experience. We take the freshest ingredients right from our field and combine them with other quality ingredients from local sources to create cheese and charcuterie boards as well as lunch and dinner options for you to enjoy while you drink.
Our portfolio is continually growing and many heirloom and Old World apple varieties have been planted specifically for use by Embark Craft Ciderworks. Expect to see new blended and single varietals released as we cultivate just the right apples to become the next Embark Craft ciders.
The Cider Makers
Jake Lagoner is a fifth-generation Lagoner to own and operate the family farm. He grew up in the orchards at Lagoner Farms and has been farming full-time for 13 years. After developing an interest in fermentation in college, Jake began making wine with juice from the Finger Lakes, but knew he wanted to make cider after tasting a bottle from Farnum Hill Ciders. Blown away with the flavors coming from the apples, he slowly began to develop the idea of what Embark Craft Ciderworks has become.
Chris Gowan is a Williamson native who grew up enjoying time on his great grandmother’s and great uncle Cooney’s fruit farms. After attending college, still in search of his passion, he began working at Lagoner Farms in the fall of 2008. Since then Chris has spent the last 7 years learning the lay of the land at Lagoner Farms becoming a farm manager and integral part of the business. His desire for growing high quality fruit transpired into his new love for making cider. You can often find him experimenting with a new blend or behind the bar sharing his passion in a glass.