Guided tasting of Cider

At a Black Forest farm near Unterkirnach, Peter and Wendy pour a range of their own sparkling wines and ciders, then fill the evening with stories, background, and good humor. If the weather behaves, you also walk through one of the surrounding orchards, among apple and pear trees.

I like the private group setting, which keeps this from feeling like a crowded tasting-room stop. I also like the connection between the drinks and the land itself: the orchard, fruit trees, and herb gardens are part of the experience, not just a backdrop. The main consideration is timing: the tasting runs on weekday evenings, and the orchard walk depends on decent weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Peter and Wendy host the tasting at their home and production site near Unterkirnach.
• You taste several house-made sparkling wines and ciders, with background information on what you are drinking.
• A walk through an orchard may be included when the weather is nice.
• The experience lasts about two hours, giving you time to taste without rushing.
• Your group is private, rather than combined with other bookings.
• The minimum age is 16, and the weekday start time is 6:00 PM.

A Black Forest tasting with the orchard close by

This is not a quick stop for one sample and a sales pitch. The plan is a relaxed two-hour tasting focused on drinks made by the hosts themselves. That matters because you are not simply sampling a regional product with no context. You are tasting items tied to the farm, its fruit, and the people who make them.

The setting is Mooslochweg in 78089 Unterkirnach, in Baden-Württemberg’s Black Forest region. The activity begins and ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location or figure out where the tour finishes.

The tasting takes place at Peter and Wendy’s home. That gives the evening a personal feel, but it also means this is a small-scale experience rather than a polished visitor center with a large public display. I see that as a plus if you want direct contact with the people behind the bottles. It may be less appealing if you prefer a formal winery tour with a set exhibition, printed maps, and several rooms to explore.

What you taste during the two-hour session

The central part of the experience is a selection of sparkling wines from the hosts’ own production. The description also identifies the activity as a cider tasting, and the visit includes a dynamic range of ciders alongside the sparkling drinks. The exact number and selection can vary, so you should think of this as a guided sampling rather than a fixed flight with a published menu.

That flexibility is useful. It lets Peter and Wendy talk about what they make and bring out a range of styles or ideas rather than forcing every group through the same rigid sequence. The information provided does not specify particular apple varieties, sweetness levels, alcohol content, or food pairings, so you should not book this expecting a technical tasting sheet or a full meal.

What you can expect is background information while you taste. The evening combines explanation with a sense of fun, which should suit you if you want to understand the drinks without sitting through a formal lecture. You will have a better time if you arrive curious and ready to ask questions about the production, fruit, and differences between the ciders and sparkling wines.

The house-made focus is the real point. You are not comparing a long list of international labels. You are getting a look at Peter and Wendy’s own ideas, including their approach to fruit-based drinks and their willingness to try new combinations. That makes the tasting more personal than a standard commercial sampling.

Peter and Wendy bring the personal touch

Peter and Wendy are named hosts, and their role is central to the visit. The experience is presented as a hosted evening at their home, not as a self-guided tasting where you simply collect glasses and read labels.

One especially appealing detail is the hosts’ interest in experimentation. Their work includes innovative ideas, so you may find the tasting useful if you enjoy seeing how a small producer thinks beyond one familiar cider style. Since the exact pours are not listed in advance, I would treat that variety as part of the charm rather than expect a guaranteed favorite.

The atmosphere also seems to matter here. A home-based tasting can make it easier to ask simple questions, compare impressions with your own group, and spend time on the drinks that interest you most. Since only your group participates, Peter and Wendy can shape the conversation around your pace and level of interest.

Keep your expectations in the right place. This is a private farm visit, but the available information does not promise a full production tour, cellar tour, meal, or formal class. You are booking a tasting with background and, weather permitting, an orchard walk.

The orchard walk when the weather cooperates

When conditions are pleasant, the hosts take you through one of their orchards. This is an important part of the experience because it connects the drink in your glass to the fruit trees nearby. Apple and pear trees surround the property, and the gardens also include fruit and herbs.

The walk is not guaranteed. The plan specifically depends on nice weather, so rain or poor conditions may keep the evening indoors. That is not a flaw so much as a practical limit of a farm-based activity. If the walk is important to you, check the local forecast and be ready for the tasting to remain the main event.

The orchard adds value even when you are not looking for a long walk. It gives you a sense of place and helps explain why this tasting belongs in the Black Forest rather than in any generic bar. You are seeing the setting connected to the production, with the trees and gardens close to the home.

No specific walking distance or trail surface is provided. For that reason, you should not assume a hike or a demanding countryside outing. Think of it as a short farm walk tied to the tasting, not a separate outdoor tour.

Why the private format matters

Only your own group takes part. That is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this experience, especially if you are traveling with family or friends and want an evening that feels social rather than public.

A private format can also make a tasting more useful. You can ask for clarification without interrupting a large group, and Peter and Wendy can spend more time on the styles that interest you. If one person in your group knows little about cider, while another already enjoys it, a private conversation is easier to balance.

The tradeoff is that a private booking may feel less lively if you are traveling alone or hoping to meet other people. The available details do not say that individual participants are combined into a larger group. In fact, the activity is specifically private, so book it for time with your own party rather than for social mixing.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The minimum age is 16, so this is not an activity for younger children. The age rule also helps set the tone: it is an evening tasting, not a family farm attraction.

The weekday evening schedule

The experience is offered Monday through Friday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the tasting itself lasting about two hours. That makes it a natural fit after a day exploring Baden-Württemberg or the Black Forest area.

The evening schedule has two clear benefits. First, you can spend the daytime elsewhere and finish with a local food-and-drink experience. Second, the two-hour length gives the tasting room to breathe. You should not need to rush through every sample in under an hour.

There is also a limitation. You cannot currently plan this as a Saturday or Sunday activity based on the stated opening hours. If your itinerary is built around a weekend stay, confirm availability before arranging other plans.

The activity is listed for the period from June 2, 2024, through July 12, 2026. Booking confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the experience requires a minimum number of participants, a cancellation by the operator is possible if that number is not met. In that case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Is $30.77 a fair price?

At $30.77 per person, the price is reasonable for a two-hour private tasting with the people who produce the drinks. You are paying for more than the liquid in the glass. The value comes from the hosted explanation, the farm setting, the private format, and the possible orchard walk.

I would judge the price differently depending on your goal. If you want to sample as many commercial ciders as possible, a bar or public tasting room may offer more labels for less money. If you want a personal introduction to a small producer and the chance to connect the drinks with an orchard and home garden, this experience offers something a standard bar cannot.

The price does not list a meal, snacks, transportation, or additional purchases. Do not assume that any of these are included. The stated offer centers on tasting and background information, with the orchard walk dependent on weather.

For a couple or a small group, the cost buys a contained evening activity without the hassle of arranging several separate stops. Because the booking is private, the value is strongest when you share it with people who genuinely enjoy cider, sparkling wine, or small-scale production.

Who will enjoy this tasting most

I would recommend this experience to you if you like meeting producers directly, prefer quiet local activities, or want a break from large sightseeing stops. It also suits anyone curious about how apples, pears, fruit, and herbs can lead to different drinks and ideas.

It is a good match for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed evening activity
• Friends who enjoy tasting and discussion
• Visitors staying near Unterkirnach
• People interested in small-scale cider and sparkling wine production
• Families with older teenagers, since the minimum age is 16
• Anyone who values a private booking over a large public group

You may want to skip it if you need a weekend schedule, dislike alcohol tastings, or expect a formal tour of every stage of production. It is also not the right pick if the orchard walk is your main reason for booking, since that part depends on the weather.

English is offered, which removes a major concern for English-speaking visitors. The information does not list other languages, so ask before booking if you need a language other than English.

Practical advice for your visit

Wear something comfortable for a home tasting and possible time outdoors. Since the orchard walk is weather-dependent, a light jacket and sensible shoes are wise, even though no difficult hike is described.

Plan your route to Mooslochweg in Unterkirnach before the evening begins. The activity starts and ends at the same meeting point, but no transport service is included in the details provided. You should arrange your own way to and from the property.

Allow the full two hours. The tasting is built around several drinks and conversation, and rushing away after the first samples would miss the point. If you have dietary concerns or questions about food, contact the provider before booking because no food offering is specified.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the start is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. That policy is worth noting because this is a private booking, so hold your date only when your plans are firm.

Should you book 1785 Cider?

Book this tasting if you want a personal, small-scale evening with Peter and Wendy, a range of their own ciders and sparkling wines, and the chance to see the orchard that gives the drinks their sense of place. The private format and two-hour length make it a better choice for a relaxed group outing than for a quick stop between major sights.

I would pass if you need a weekend slot, a full meal, or a guaranteed orchard walk. For everyone else, $30.77 is a fair price for direct contact with a local producer and a tasting that connects the bottle, the garden, and the people behind it.

FAQ

Where does the cider tasting take place?

The tasting starts at Mooslochweg, 78089 Unterkirnach, Germany, in Baden-Württemberg.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

What drinks are included?

You taste a number of sparkling wines and ciders from the hosts’ own production.

Who hosts the tasting?

Peter and Wendy host the experience at their home and production site.

Is the orchard walk guaranteed?

No. A walk through one of the orchards takes place when the weather is nice.

Is this a private experience?

Yes. Only your own group participates.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 16.

When is the experience offered?

It is offered Monday through Friday, with opening hours listed from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.