Ralston Cider Mill In Mendham Hosts Cider-Pressing Demonstration

MENDHAM, NJ — The art of cider-making will be celebrated on Saturday as the Ralston Cider Mill opens its doors and starts up its historic presses for a special cider pressing demonstration.

For a $15 admission per person, though children under seven are free, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Ralston Cider Mill, on 336 Mendham Road West, in addition to the pressing demonstration, a video and visitor center exhibits are part of the event.

Attendees can also sample some of the newly-pressed cider and they can even bring their own container to take some home, with a $10 suggested donation per gallon.

The Ralston Cider Mill was founded in 1848 and is volunteer-run, with proceeds from Saturday's event benefitting “educational programs and maintenance restorations” at the mill.

According to a news release, Alstede Farms plans to donate about 100 bushels of apples grown in their orchards for the cider pressing, which equates to about 8,000 apples.

Alstede Farms indicates that they grow more than 50 varieties of apples on their 60 acres, a vital crop for the region historically and currently. Not only does Alstede press apples for its own cider, but apples are part of their farm's community-supported agriculture, weekly grocery shares, “farm-to-market retail and used in farm-to-table catering on our farm,” Alstede Farms stated in the news release.

For more information about the Ralston Cider Mill and event, visit the mill's website at www.ralstoncidermill.org.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.