Wise Bird Cider is a small, family-run business committed to crafting small-batch ciders made with a focus on tradition and quality from the best apples we can get our hands on. We believe that great apples make great ciders and we source as many apples as we can from Kentucky but we also seek out harder to find, cider-specific apples from our neighbors in Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania when we need to.
Wise Bird’s food program, Little Fork, led by Executive Chef Nick Fisherkeller, features mainstays like a smash burger & fries, shareables like a cheese and charcuterie board, to more creative alternatives like a Chistorra Sausage Skewer and Twice-fried Tofu. We place an emphasis on gluten free and vegan options, food & cider pairings, and a meaningful menu for kids.
We are committed to our community, to Lexington, and to Kentucky. We believe in staying as local as possible for as much as possible. We believe in being good people, hiring good people and that giving back to our community makes our world a better place. Come visit!
Our Story
Wise Bird Cider Co., founded in June of 2019, is a family-owned, Lexington-based craft cidery that prides itself on using 100% freshly pressed apples from the finest orchards in Kentucky and beyond. With a passion for cider making, Wise Bird Cider Co. produces diverse ciders, from traditional to innovative blends, that celebrate the rich heritage and unique character of their ingredients.
Wise Bird Cider’s origin story is closely tied to the early days of Tim and Greta’s courtship and a combination of drinking cider, playing Scrabble, late night games of ping pong and numerous road trips exploring the craft cider, wine and beer of the Blue Ridge Mountains. What started as a “hobby” while they were living in Washington, DC working insane jobs and spending hours of their day in traffic later became an obsession.
Family vacations turned into excuses to visit cideries and take cider-making classes. One book turned into a collection. One kitchen cabinet of equipment turned into all of the kitchen cabinets. After winning a silver and bronze metal at the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP), they decided to make the jump. So they sold their house, packed their bags, put the new baby in his carseat, and moved to Lexington to make a better way of life for themselves, be close to their family, and start Wise Bird Cider.
Five years in, Wise Bird Cider is thriving, loving the community & the other craft beverage makers in the State, and continuing to evolve its products through new ciders, and new formats, like cans.