Red Barn Cidery – “It’s Cider O’Clock Somewhere!”

Red Barn Cidery opened in May of 2023, just steps from the Rockland mainstay of Dr. Davies Farm. The Cidery, run by Chris Davies Nevin and her two brothers Niles Davies, III and Lee Davies, is a true family affair – one that they hope welcomes in other families from Rockland and beyond.

“Dr. Davies Farm has been in our family since 1891,” said Davies Nevin as she sat down with RCT on a clear October afternoon. “…A few years ago, when everybody was looking at the next stage of their life and how we wanted the business to grow, we thought about things that would bring people to the farm to enjoy it more than just the few months that we normally would be open”. Davies Nevin stated that when her family started the Cidery, they had only 12 of the red tables she sat at. A quick glance around, and one can see that number has easily quadrupled.

One of the biggest surprises for Davies Nevin has been the influx of people interested in Red Barn Cidery. She states that she has seen visitors from New Jersey, New York, and even a kind of “reverse commuting” from upstate cideries. This mix of visitors and locals, some who have been coming to Dr. Davies Farm for decades, is what really puts a smile on Davies Nevin’s face. With such a pet-friendly, family friendly space, it is hard to not want to stop, sip a cider, and bask in some of the October sunshine. 

Davies Nevin says that even as the fall rays fade, they have no plans to put the fun to an end anytime soon. This year they will stay open until the weekend of December 15th with the help of an expansive party tent that stays heated to 74 degrees. 

Davies Nevin states that she and her brothers make sure to interact with all their guests to receive feedback on ways to increase their community engagement. While they will be hosting a kid friendly Halloween party the Sunday before Halloween, they will be also implementing an adults only Halloween party this year for the first time. This comes “by request”, says Davies Nevin, especially following the success of the Cidery’s Thanksgiving Eve celebration for adults in Rockland getting together before turkey day. 

As the name suggests, the Cidery offers their own hard cider, other New York State certified beers and wine, bourbons, and most recently their own vodka. Not one to be exclusionary, Red Barn Cidery also offers non-alcoholic frozen drinks, hot drinks and beers. They have live music every night Thursday through Sunday and a variety of local food trucks every Saturday and Sunday. Red Barn Cidery is weather dependent, so make sure to check their Facebook page “Red Barn Cidery” or their Instagram page “@red.barn.cidery” for hours and more information. 

The family connection and camaraderie is certainly the foundation of this Cidery, and it is reflected in the laid back, refreshing nature of the space. As Davies Nevin stated, “Family is really what holds it all together”. This statement has rung true over four generations, and it looks like it will continue to do so for many more.