Snow Capped Cider Bags Dozens of Medals at Annual Awards

The Eighth Annual Cidercraft awards have been announced, and Colorado’s Snow Capped Cider, located on the Western Slope, was the most awarded cidery for the third year in a row with 28 awards.

Led by owner and head cidermaker Kari Williams, Snow Capped was recognized with five platinum, six double gold, six gold, and five silver medals, along with six judges’ picks at the annual industry awards.

This year’s Cidercraft adds to a growing list of accolades for Snow Capped. The cidery recently made history at the 2025 GLINTCAP Awards, where it was named Midsize Cidermaker of the Year for the second year in a row and set a new competition record with 10 Best in Class awards.

“I couldn’t be more proud about the incredible year we are having,” says Williams. “We make cider to express the story of our historic orchards and Colorado, and this incredible recognition over the last few years tells us we’re doing something right. I am so thankful for my team for making this year one for the books and we are honored to represent the cider industry.”

Grown at elevations between 6,130 and 7,000 feet in Colorado’s Surface Creek Valley, Snow Capped Cider’s orchards are among the highest in the world. Williams believes this unique high-altitude terroir, with its increased UV exposure, dramatic temperature swings, and short growing season, produces a more intense and expressive fruit.
Here are Snow Capped Cider’s 2025 Cidercraft Awards:

1. Kingston Black – Platinum, High Tannin Dry
2. Gravenstein – Platinum, Single Varietal
3. Bluebird Day – Platinum, Modern-Dry
4. Gravenstein – Platinum, Modern Sweet
5. White Wine Perry – Platinum Co-Ferments: Fruit/Stone Fruit
6. Chisel Jersey – Double Gold, High Tannin Sweet
7. Esopus Spitzenburg – Double Gold, Single Varietal
8. Winter Pear – Double Gold, Perry
9. Bespoke РDouble Gold, Ros̩
10. Golden Russet – Double Gold, Modern Sweet
11. Porters & Perry – Double Gold, Co-Ferments: Fruit/Stone Fruit
12. Yarlington Mill – Gold, High Tannin Dry
13. Gold Rush – Gold, High Tannin Sweet
14. Sparkling Perry – Gold, Perry
15. The Russets – Gold, Modern Sweet
16. Sparkling Ros̩ РGold, Fruit
17. Sour Cherry – Gold, Stone Fruit
18. Wilde Woods – Silver, High Tannin Dry
19. Harrison – Silver, Single Varietal
20. Novel – Silver, Modern-Dry
21. Winesap – Silver, Modern Sweet
22. Plum & Lemongrass – Silver, Botanical
23. Fab Five – Judges’ Pick, High Tannin Dry
24. Ellis Bitter – Judges’ Pick, High Tannin Sweet
25. Frenouillet Gris – Judges’ Pick, Single Varietal
26. Akane – Judges’ Pick, Modern Sweet
27. Esopus Spitzenburg – Judges’ Pick, Modern Sweet
28. BBI Aged Kingston Black – Judges’ Pick, Wood-Aged

But wait, there’s more: In southwest Colorado, between Durango and the Utah border, Fenceline Cider also took home a few medals at Cidercraft. Located in Mancos, Fenceline relies heavily on the area’s historic apple orchards and wild apple trees with their elevated and unpredictable character.

Fenceline Cider’s 2025 Cidercraft Awards:

1. Kingston Black – Double Gold, High Tannin Dry
2. Thunderbolt – Gold, Natural
3. Wickson Crabapple – Judge’s Pick, Single Varietal