Agritourism destination Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard, located near Cooperstown, has been producing apple and fruit ciders for three generations, with a historic mill in operation since 1889.
On Thursday, Aug. 30, USA Today announced that the mill was named as America’s Number One Cidery as part of the publishing organization’s annual 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, which recognize the best in travel, entertainment and lifestyle businesses.
USA Today nominated 20 cideries nationwide. During a four-week voting period, readers were invited to vote for their favorite, and Fly Creek Cider Mill emerged as the top choice, finishing as the No. 1 cidery in the country.
“We are beyond excited to be recognized,” Bill Michaels, owner of Fly Creek Cider Mill, said in a statement. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible staff, who ensure every visitor has an exceptional experience. We are deeply grateful to our loyal fans and visitors who supported us with their votes.”
Fly Creek Cider Mill is somewhat of a working museum.
It combines its history with black and white photos, video and storyboard placards tracing the roots of the mill in a cider gallery and host tours of the apple pressing process and cider production, showing how it is done today.
Guests can witness the cider being made with its historic water-powered, water-hydraulic press, as water moves from Fly Creek down to Mill Pond 10 feet lower.
There’s also the Mills Marketplace with various rooms featuring local New York cheeses and Fly Creek homemade crackers, chips, preserves, dressings, hot sauces and fudge. Handmade Halloween and Christmas decorations and local crafts also are sold.
On Friday, the cidery was busy ahead of Labor Day weekend.
Kristin Dzialo, of Sharon, Massachusetts, was on her annual trip to visit friends on Otsego Lake with her daughter Matilda.
“I used to just come for the squeaky cheese and cider, but my friends and I all have kids now, and we come here because there’s so much for our kids to do,” Dzialo said.
“I come up from my home in Melville, Long Island, and visit my friend from Oneonta, and we always come to the Fly Creek Cider Mill,” Judith Bokstrong said.
“We like the mix of homemade jams,” said Paula McCormack. “I also get ideas of crafts that I can make painting little signs or on my shell collection from what they offer in the crafts area.”
The main product is the apple cider. Fresh-pressing season kicks off on Sept. 12 with the arrival of the apple harvest. Fly Creek Cider Mill does have apple trees, but the cider is made from apple orchards in Onondaga and Columbia.
“We have great relationships with some orchards in those areas,” Michaels said. “They come and drop off their apples for pressing.”
The bits and chunks of smashed fruit leftover called pomace is given to the neighbor for his grass-fed beef farm.
Visitors can see the cider workers in action as the equipment and process is showcased behind glass observation areas, including one observation deck that sits above the presses below, so that visitors can look below their feet and see what’s taking place. The upstairs offers an apple wine and hard cider tasting room with various bottle selections for sale, cocktail tables, and a snack menu.
“We were able to move areas around, expand the upstairs for cider tasting, upgrade some equipment, and build out areas to accommodate more visitors,” Michaels said.
This also includes outdoor areas such as a Snack Barn and picnic tables, animal feeding station and ponds with a variety of ducks and geese, walkways to a “mine your own gemstone” area and meandering pathways for strolling the grounds.
One average, 150,000 visitors come to Fly Creek Cider Mill each year, which ramps-up during the high from September to October.
“We open the day after Mother’s Day, and given our location near Cooperstown, we are fortunate to be able to ride the seasons from baseball into Fall and just before winter,” Michaels said.
As a member of the New York State Cider Association and New York State Apple Association, Fly Creek Cider Mill also has been a key player in the regional agritourism industry.
“The award is great for us and the recognition,” Michaels said. “I think it will be good for the entire area.”