Our story begins at Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, NH in the summer of 2010. A serendipitous moment the year before led to the founding of Seven Birches Winery at this famed, New England apple orchard high up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Apple wines were the first course, soon to be followed by grape and other fruit wines. But, our roots were firmly planted in NH apple orchard soil.
After 5 years making apple and other wines at the orchard, it was time to move the winery to a busier town and to bring the wines to the masses. In 2016 a reimagined Seven Birches Winery opened at the grand RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH.
Having crafted classic vitis vinifera (European grapes) and fruit wines (apple, blueberry, strawberry, etc.) commercially for 10 years under the Seven Birches Winery brand, winemaker and business owner, Mark LaClair, began experimenting with his creativity by fermenting ciders (in addition to Apple Wine). In 2020, as a response to COVID19, Mark launched a new brand for these new hard ciders called Rhythm Cider.
Classic grape wines come with expectations. Cabernet should be bold and full bodied, as Sauvignon Blanc should be bone dry and crisp. The typicity of varietal wines is important to consumers as they get to know what they like and dislike. Even though our classic wines will forever be New Hampshire made, they are expected to be classic. The Seven Birches Winery production team has 1 single mission: “Make Better Wine Today.” That motto is posted on the white board in the winery. To accomplish this, the winery team will use science to make their traditional wines better, finer. The Seven Birches Winery brand has evolved to be the home for classic European style, fine grape wines.
Now the production team is tapping into their creative (right) brain and letting loose. No rules; no preconceived ideas of what the products should be, what they should taste like, or even look like. They are now crafting New England style ciders exclusively from New England farmed apples and other locally-sourced ingredients.
The Rhythm Cider brand is all about creativity. One never knows what unique, handcrafted alcoholic ciders may come out of the winery. Some of the new ciders may become commercially viable, like our original Rhythm Cider or Hopped Cider. Some products may never see retail shelves. Nevertheless, our visitors to the Seven Birches Tasting Room & Rhythm Tap & Grille will participate in deciding what art works and what doesn’t.
Already, these craft ciders are being distributed around New Hampshire. And, the craft cider makers (winemakers) are experimenting with more fruits, styles, textures, flavors and concepts that will be tasted and tested at the cidery. Of course, if you are a classic fine wine lover, then we’ll have you covered with our Seven Birches wine brand, but for those of you looking for something new and different, then look no further than the Rhythm Cider brand.
Be a part of the creative process with us at the Rhythm Ciders Studio on your next visit to the White Mountains. #findyourrhythm @ rhythmcider.com
Now OPEN! – Rhythm Tap & Grille
Read about the next evolution of the Rhythm brand with our expansion into a full-service, upscale american restaurant within the RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain.