Nine Pin Ciderworks Expansion: Elevating the Tasting Room Experience

Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York State’s pioneering farm cidery, marked a significant milestone with the expansion of its Tasting Room located at the Cidery on Broadway in Albany. The event, attended by esteemed local, regional, and state officials, witnessed co-owners Alejandro and Sonya del Peral inaugurating the enhanced space, accompanied by a ceremonious ribbon-cutting ceremony and delectable cake from Jacob Alejandro, commemorating the completion of the Cidery’s third renovation and Nine Pin’s illustrious 10th anniversary.

This expansion, made possible by a $50,000 Empire State Development capital grant, underscores Nine Pin’s commitment to providing an elevated experience for its patrons. The investment facilitated the enlargement of the indoor tasting room, installation of additional bathrooms, and the incorporation of an extra glass overhead door, enhancing the ambiance and functionality for both regular visitors and agritourists. Notably, the redesigned space offers captivating views of Albany’s iconic Nipper and the vibrant nightlife scene, enriching the overall visitor experience.

Having undergone two previous renovations, Nine Pin’s dedication to continuous improvement is evident. The initial transformation in 2014, following the acquisition of New York State’s first farm cidery license, laid the foundation for a smaller tasting room within the leased manufacturing space. Subsequent renovation efforts in 2016, supported by an ESD grant, facilitated a significant expansion of the tasting room and the acquisition of fermentation tanks, stimulating a period of sustained growth in sales and clientele.

As Nine Pin commemorates a decade of excellence, its journey from inception to becoming a hallmark of New York’s cider industry is remarkable. Conceived by co-founder Alejandro del Peral with a vision to champion local agriculture, Nine Pin’s ascent was catalyzed by the enactment of the farm cidery bill in 2013, culminating in its designation as the state’s premier farm cidery. Since then, Nine Pin has remained steadfast in its commitment to sourcing locally grown apples, utilizing approximately 1.5 million pounds annually.

“Ten years is a long time in business,” says Mark Eagan, President & CEO of the Capital Region Chamber and the Center for Economic Growth. “We’ve all seen businesses come in with a splash and fade from the scene in far less time. Nine Pin is different. Not only did they usher in the age of the Farm Cidery here in New York State, but they have consistently innovated and come up with smart ways to stay relevant. At the same time, thanks to Alejandro’s leadership, Nine Pin has stayed true to its formula of focusing on local agriculture and using New York State fruit for its products.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of New York State’s economy, and craft beverage manufacturers like Nine Pin support jobs, welcome residents and visitors to our urban cores, and generate regional economic growth,” said Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight. “After 10 years, Nine Pin continues to create and produce innovative ciders using New York-grown apples. Nine Pin’s new tasting room in Albany’s Warehouse District will invite even more people to sip, sample and savor craft cider from New York’s first farm cidery.”

"As Albany’s state senator for the last 28 years, I have watched with excitement as Nine Pin Ciderworks has evolved from a humble cidery into one of the region’s flagship agritourism destinations,” said Senator Neil Breslin. “The newly completed renovations to Nine Pin’s tasting room—made possible by Empire State Development’s wise decision to invest in New York’s burgeoning craft beverage sector—will improve the cidery’s customer experience and encourage more cider enthusiasts from across the state and beyond to come get a taste of our region’s flourishing culinary scene."

“Congratulations to Nine Pin Cider on reaching yet another milestone and on the completion of long-awaited renovations to its tasting room,” said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy. “As the first farm cidery in New York State and cornerstone of our downtown Albany community, Nine Pin continues to lead the pack and showcase the very best of New York’s multi-million-dollar craft beverage industry. I was proud to help support the grant to make this project possible, congratulate the team on their success, and encourage everyone to stop by soon to enjoy some cider and the new tasting room!”

“Since 2014, Nine Pin Cider has been a staple of the community, providing the Capital Region with hundreds of unique ciders made from locally sourced apples and fruit,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “This newly renovated tasting room is a perfect example of how Empire State Development’s continued investments have strengthened and enhanced our local economy. Their $50,000 grant has helped create a wonderful community space that residents and visitors will enjoy for years to come.”

“Nine Pin has been an Albany institution for ten years, and we are so proud they chose to further expand their presence in New York’s Capital City by renovating their ever-popular tasting room,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “I extend my sincere congratulations to Sonya, Alejandro and the entire team at Nine Pin for achieving this latest milestone, and my thanks to Governor Hochul and ESD President Knight for providing the financial support that helped make this renovation possible.”

"The New York Cider Association is thrilled to celebrate Nine Pin Ciderworks' 10 year anniversary as they cut the ribbon for the newly expanded tasting room,” said Scott Ramsey, Executive Director, New York Cider Association. “As New York's first farm cidery, Nine Pin has consistently led the way with all that cider brings to New York's agricultural landscape. With more active cideries than any other state and as the second largest apple growing state in the country, the New York cider industry is fortunate to have the leadership, vision, and expertise of Nine Pin Ciderworks. Many congratulations and cheers to Alejandro del Peral, Sonya del Peral, and the entire team at Nine Pin Ciderworks. We're looking forward to many more decades of growth and excellence!"

“We’re so excited about this new space that permits us to expand our public and private party offerings, and to share our New York cider as the world class beverage that it is,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-owner and head cidermaker at Nine Pin. “This growth benefits the goodwill of, and helps grow, the entire statewide New York craft beverage industry. We are incredibly fortunate to have an exceptional and talented team working with us at Nine Pin and I thank each and every one of them for all the careful planning and hard work that has gone into making this project a reality.”

With a portfolio boasting hundreds of distinctive ciders, Nine Pin continues to captivate enthusiasts with its innovative creations. To mark its 10-year anniversary, Nine Pin is reintroducing ten fan-favorite ciders over ten months, each adorned with specially crafted labels embodying a traditional hand-made aesthetic. Moreover, the cidery maintains strong partnerships with New York orchards and farms, ensuring the integrity of its ingredients sourced primarily from the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Finger Lakes Region, and Western New York.

Enthusiasts can savor Nine Pin’s exquisite ciders seven days a week at its Albany Tasting Room, or procure them from select retailers across New York State, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. For those beyond these regions, Nine Pin’s online store offers convenient access to its renowned products.

For further insights into Nine Pin’s offerings and ethos, visit www.ninepincider.com.