ORCHARD HILL FARM CLAIMS TOP HONORS AT THE 2019 ILLINOIS SWEET CIDER CONTESTS Ken Johnson, Cider Contest Coordinator University of Illinois Extension Educator The Illinois State Horticulture Society sponsored its 30th annual Illinois and National Sweet Cider Contests and the 17th annual National Hard Cider Contest, held in conjunction with the Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference on January 10th in Springfield, Illinois. Wesley Carithers of Orchard Hill Farm located in Lewistown, IL produced the No.1 overall rated cider at this year’s contest, winning both the National and Illinois contests. Wesley used Jonathon, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonagold and Cameo apples to make his winning cider. Second Place National Cider went to David Doud of Countyline Orchard in Wabash, IN. Second Place Illinois Cider and Third Place National Cider went to Tom Schwartz of Schwartz Orchards in Centralia, IL. Brian Edwards of Edwards Apple Orchard West in Winnebago, IL won Third Place Illinois Cider. Midwest Cider of Merit 1st Runner-up was awarded to Joe Ringhausen of Joe Ringhausen Orchards in Fieldon, IL. Pat Curran and Patrick Riofredo of Curran’s Orchard in Rockford, IL were awarded the Midwest Cider of Merit 2nd Runner-up and the Midwest Cider of Merit 3rd Runner-up went to Randy Graham of Curtis Orchard in Champaign, IL. Grissom’s Lost Creek Orchard of Greenup, IL claimed the Champion Hard Cider award, for the sixth year in a row and eighth overall. Trevor and Dalton Grissom produced their winning hard cider for this year’s contest with a combination of Golden Delicious, GoldRush, Fuji, and Jonathon apples. Judges evaluated the cider entries using a 25- point rating scale for cider quality characteristics. The judges conducted “blind” evaluations where only a randomly chosen sample number identified each cider entry. The Illinois State Horticultural Society (ISHS) has annually conducted the sweet cider contest since the contest started in 1990. The sweet cider contest presents awards in three different categories: National, Illinois and Midwest Cider of Merit. National awards are open to all US producers, and Illinois awards are open to all Illinois producers. The Midwest Cider of Merit awards are open to Illinois producers, plus producers from other adjoining states that do not place in the National or Illinois categories. Hard cider entries were each individually awarded points based on characteristics like clarity, color, bouquet, balance of alcohol, acidity, sweetness, sugar/acid balance, body, flavor, astringency and bitterness, any off-flavors, and the overall quality. The ISHS gratefully acknowledges the dedication and hard work of our judging team. Plus a special thanks to Sangamon County Master Gardeners Marilyn Clarke, Steve and Sharon Petrelli, and Don Wisniewski. Thank you! Most importantly, thanks are extended to all who entered the contest this year. Start planning now for the next contest in 2020. A summary of more contest notes is outlined below. National Awards Firm Address Cultivar Blend Jonathon, Golden Delicious, Red First Place Orchard Hill Farm Lewistown, IL Delicious, Jonagold, and Cameo Evercrisp, Golden Second Place Countyline Orchard Wabash, IN Delicious, and GoldRush Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Third Place Schwartz Orchards Centralia, IL GoldRush, and Jonathan Illinois Awards First Place Orchard Hill Farm Lewistown, IL see above Second Place Schwartz Orchards Centralia, IL see above Edwards Apple Cameo, Jonathan, and Third Place Winnebago, IL Orchard West Gala Midwest Cider of Merit Joe Ringhausen Firm Gold, Jonathan, First Runner-up Fieldon, IL Orchards Winesap, and Fuji Cortland, Empire, Honey Crisp, Second Runner-up Curran’s Orchard Rockford, IL Northern Spy, Red Delicious, and Jonathan SweeTango, GoldRush, Golden Third Runner-up Curtis Orchard Champaign, IL Delicious, Red Delicious, and Honeycrisp Hard Cider Golden Delicious, Grissom’s Lost Creek Champion Greenup, IL GoldRush, Fuji, Orchard Jonathon .