CIDER SWEEPSTAKE

Derek Wilber and Zach Pegram Goose Watch Winery, Finger Lakes NV Flying High Semi-Sweet Cider, $14.99

Derek Wilber is a native of the Finger Lakes. He began in the grape and wine industry by working for his father on a vineyard operation outside Penn Yan. He attended Cornell University and graduated with a degree in fruit science in 1980. He managed several vineyard operations in the Finger Lakes before becoming a commercial winemaker in 1984. Since then, he has worked at both large and small wineries in the Finger Lakes. In May 2011, he began his second stint as head winemaker at Swedish Hill Vineyards. 2018 marks the 14th year he has been with Swedish Hill and its two companion wineries, Goose Watch and Penguin Bay.

Zach Pegram got his start in premium wine production working as a cellar hand in the Willamette Valley of Oregon during the 2010 and 2011 harvests. After this introduction, he expanded his tasting experience and practical education in world wine styles as wine manager in a Manhattan restaurant. He earned a master’s degree in enology from Cornell University, and after graduation, he remained in the Finger Lakes, spending the last five years learning the craft at various wineries. He is especially interested in varied production styles and experimentation, which have been encouraged at Goose Watch and invigorated by the renaissance of artisanal beverage production in the Finger Lakes.