Uncle John's Cider Mill
Uncle John's Cider Mill is a family-owned farm and agritourism destination in St. Johns, Michigan, producing fresh cider, hard ciders, wines, and spirits sold on-site and through Midwest distributors to families, beverage enthusiasts, and wholesale buyers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersSt. John's, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Uncle John's Cider Mill does
Uncle John's Cider Mill is a family-owned farm and agritourism destination located in St. Johns, Michigan, operating from a renovated 100+ year-old cattle barn site with a bakery, pie barn, gift shop, and taproom. The business produces fresh apple cider via on-site pressing and a comprehensive craft beverage portfolio including 12+ hard cider varieties (Apple, Apple Pear, Apple Cherry, Apple Blueberry, Apple Apricot, Apple Cranberry, Strawberry Lavender, Sidra de Tepache, Sweet Peach, Melded, Deep Roots, Perry, Winesap), wines (Mead, Nectar, Cyser, Pyment, Harvest Peach, Cherry, Cranberry, Concord, White, Red), and spirits (Whiskey, Apple Brandy, Vodka), with proprietary blends featuring cider-specific English, French, and American apple varieties plus heirloom orchard inputs. Underlying technology is traditional apple pressing and cider/wine/spirit fermentation rather than software or AI-driven systems.
The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct-to-consumer agritourism (a 9-acre corn maze, 30+ acre pumpkin patch, gemstone mining, wagon rides, jumping pillow, live music, food trucks, U-pick sunflowers, and family events) with multi-state wholesale beverage distribution through seven regional distributors in Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. Revenue is generated across six streams: on-site retail (bakery, gift shop, pie barn), hard cider/wine/spirit sales (on-site taproom and wholesale), agritourism activities (priced $5-$6 per activity, pumpkins at $0.60/lb), event venue rentals ($200 per slot), private event hosting, and an online store via Vinoshipper. Customers include families with children (primary), craft beverage enthusiasts, wholesale/retail buyers across MI/IL/OH, and event hosts.
Uncle John's Cider Mill firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Uncle John's Cider Mill
- Legal name
- Uncle John's Cider Mill
- Website
- https://ujcidermill.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Uncle John's Cider Mill is a family-owned farm and agritourism destination in St. Johns, Michigan, producing fresh cider, hard ciders, wines, and spirits sold on-site and through Midwest distributors to families, beverage enthusiasts, and wholesale buyers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Uncle John's Cider Mill industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Cidery and Farm Winery
- NAICS
- Distilleries (31214), Apple Orchards (111331)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cideries & Meadery Tasting Rooms (THAFALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cider & Perry Producers & Brands (CRADAIAE), Cider & Perry Production (AFAFAAAD), Craft Distilleries & Microdistilleries (THAFALAH), Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO)
Keywords
Where Uncle John's Cider Mill is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St. John's
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Uncle John's Cider Mill business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- On-site Retail Sales: Visitors purchase fresh cider, donuts, pies, breads, caramel apples, and other homemade treats directly from the bakery, pie barn, and gift shop on the farm premises.
- Hard Cider Sales: Hard cider products sold in 16 oz cans (4-packs), draft (1/6 bbl and 50L), and 500mL bottles. Products include Apple, Apple Pear, Apple Cherry, Apple Blueberry, Apple Apricot, Apple Cranberry, Strawberry Lavender, Sidra de Tepache, Sweet Peach, Melded, Deep Roots, and Perry.
- Event Venue Rental: Group rental spaces (corrals) available for private events on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October. $200 per time slot includes one gallon of cider and two dozen donuts. Additional cider, donuts, and activity tickets available for purchase.
- Agritourism Activities: Paid activities including corn maze ($5/person), gemstone mining ($6), wagon rides, pumpkin patch (sold by weight at $0.60/lb), and jumping pillow (free). Sunday Funday events and seasonal festivals draw visitors.
- Wine, Spirits, and Mead Sales: Taproom offers wines (Nectar, Pyment, Harvest Peach, Cherry Wine, Cranberry Wine, Concord, White Wine, Red Wine), spirits (Whiskey, Apple Brandy, Vodka), and Mead. These are sold on-site and potentially through distributors.
- Wholesale Distribution: Hard cider distributed through regional distributors across Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio, allowing products to reach retail stores, bars, and restaurants throughout the Midwest.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hard Cider (Apple) - Flagship product |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Specialty Ciders - Seasonal and limited varieties |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Ciders - Melded and Deep Roots |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Flight Box |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wines, Spirits, and Mead |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Agritourism Activities |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | U-Pick Experiences |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Group Rental Spaces |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Event Entry - Begyle + Friends |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Uncle John's Cider Mill product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Uncle John's Cider Mill operates a fifth-generation family farm and agritourism destination in St. Johns, Michigan, producing and selling fresh pressed apple cider, an award-winning hard cider line, wines, mead, apple-distilled spirits (whiskey, brandy, vodka), and a bakery featuring donuts, pies, breads, and caramel apples. The property also functions as a destination venue with a taproom, gift shop, pie barn, Cider Yard, plus paid and free seasonal agritourism activities including a 9-acre corn maze, gemstone mining, wagon rides, pumpkin patch, jumping pillow, and live music events.
Product overview
Uncle John's Cider Mill is a family-run farm and agritourism destination offering a diversified portfolio of products and experiences. The core offerings center around fresh cider (non-alcoholic) and a comprehensive line of hard ciders including flagship Apple, seasonal flavors (Apple Cherry, Apple Pear, Apple Blueberry, Apple Apricot, Apple Cranberry, Strawberry Lavender, Sidra de Tepache, Sweet Peach), and specialty ciders (Melded, Deep Roots, Winesap, Perry). The beverage portfolio extends to wines (Mead, Nectar, Cyser, Pyment, Harvest Peach, Cherry Wine, Cranberry Wine, Concord, White Wine, Red Wine) and spirits (Whiskey, Apple Brandy, Vodka). The food line includes famous donuts, caramel apples, hot spiced cider, and Pie Barn products (homemade bread, pies, cookies, jams, honey). The experiential offerings include on-site venues (Cider Mill, Gift Shop, Pie Barn, Taproom, Cider Yard) and activities (Gemstone Mining, Jumping Pillow, Farm Trail, Pedal Tractor Park, Pumpkin Train, Corn Maze, Orchard Wagon Rides, Train, Pumpkin Patch, Live Music). The company also sells fresh apple varieties and offers group event rental spaces through its reservation system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Uncle John's Hard Cider: Hard cider product line featuring Apple, Apple Pear, Apple Cherry, Apple Blueberry, and seasonal flavors like Apple Apricot, Apple Cranberry, Strawberry Lavender, Sidra de Tepache, Sweet Peach, Melded, Deep Roots, and Perry.
- Uncle John's Mining Company
Products and services
- Fresh Apple Cider Non-alcoholic apple cider pressed on premises at the Cider Mill; a perishable seasonal product available to on-site visitors.
- Uncle John's Hard Cider Hard cider product line with 12-plus varieties including year-round flagship Apple plus seasonal blends such as Apple Pear, Apple Cherry, Apple Blueberry, Apple Apricot, Apple Cranberry, Strawberry Lavender, Sidra de Tepache, Sweet Peach, and premium ciders Melded, Deep Roots, Winesap and Perry. Sold in 16 oz can 4-packs, 500 mL bottles, and draft (1/6 bbl and 50L) through on-site Taproom, online store, and seven regional distributors.
- Farm Wines and Mead On-site produced wine and mead line including Nectar, Pyment, Harvest Peach, Cherry Wine, Cranberry Wine, Concord, White Wine, Red Wine, plus honey-based Mead and Cyser. Sold through the Taproom and via wholesale to retail, bars, and restaurants.
- Apple-Distilled Spirits Apple-distilled spirits including bourbon-grain Whiskey aged 2-4 years in barrels, 90 proof Apple Brandy aged in French and American oak barrels, and Vodka distilled from apples without flavoring. Available at the Taproom and through wholesale channels.
- Uncle John's Donuts and Baked Goods Famous cider donuts produced on-site as one of the original products of the Cider Mill; available daily at the Bakery during operating hours.
- Pie Barn Foods Homemade bread, pies, decorated donuts, monster cookies, jams and jellies, honey and syrup, local cheese and jerky, seasonal produce, apple bread, caramel apples, cider slushies, and hot spiced cider sold from the on-site Pie Barn.
- Michigan-Themed Gift Shop Gift shop stocking Michigan and Uncle John's branded gifts, seasonal home decor, toys, books, candles, apparel, and accessories.
- Taproom Tasting Experience Renovated barn venue offering flights and tastings of hard cider, wine, and spirits, plus retail purchases of beverage products; open Friday through Sunday.
- Agritourism Activities and Attractions Seasonal attraction bundle including a 9-acre themed Corn Maze ($5/person), 40-foot Gemstone Mining sluice branded Uncle John's Mining Company ($6/person), Orchard Wagon Rides, Jumping Pillow, Pumpkin Patch (30+ acres, $0.60/lb), U-Pick Sunflowers ($10/jar), Farm Trail, Train, Pedal Tractor Park, Pumpkin Train, and Live Music programming at the Cider Yard and Taproom.
- Corral Event Venue Rental Outdoor fenced corral rental available Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, seating up to 30 people and including one gallon of cider and two dozen donuts; $200 per time slot (11am-2pm or 3pm-6pm).
- Fresh Farm Apples Farm-grown apple varieties including Empire, Northern Spy, Fuji, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Gala, Golden Delicious, and McIntosh, available seasonally on-site.
Quantifiable outcome
- Gold Medal at 2015 British Cider Championships (Royal Bath & West Show, UK) for Perry cider
Companies that use Uncle John's Cider Mill
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Uncle John's Cider Mill technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Uncle John's Cider Mill partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alliance Beverage DistributingcoreRegional beverage distributor covering Grand Rapids, MI area (3710 Roger B Vhaffee Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548). Distributes Uncle John's hard cider products to retail stores, bars, and restaurants in the region.
- Dan Henry DistributingcoreRegional beverage distributor covering Lansing, MI area (5500 Aurelius Rd, Lansing, MI 48911). Distributes Uncle John's hard cider products to retail stores, bars, and restaurants in the region.
- Eastown DistributorscoreRegional beverage distributor covering Highland Park, MI area (14400 Okland Ave, Highland Park, MI 48203). Distributes Uncle John's hard cider products to retail stores, bars, and restaurants in the region.
- IHS DistributingcoreRegional beverage distributor covering Kalamazoo, MI area (1800 Douglas Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). Distributes Uncle John's hard cider products to retail stores, bars, and restaurants in the region.
- Louis Glunz Beer Inc.coreRegional beverage distributor covering Lincolnwood, IL (Chicago area) (7100 N Capitol Dr, Lincolnwood, IL 60712). Distributes Uncle John's hard cider products to retail stores, bars, and restaurants in the Chicago region.
- Rave AssociatescoreRegional beverage distributor covering Ann Arbor, MI area (260 Metty Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48103). Distributes Uncle John's hard cider products to retail stores, bars, and restaurants in the region.
- Treu House of MunchcoreRegional beverage distributor covering Northwood, OH area (8000 Arbor Dr, Northwood, OH 43619). Distributes Uncle John's hard cider products to retail stores, bars, and restaurants in the Ohio region.
- Harvest HostsminorAgritourism partnership program linking travelers with farms and local producers. Uncle John's participates as a host location for Harvest Hosts members.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Uncle John's Cider Mill competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Woodchuck Hard Cider: Established national hard cider brand owned by a large beverage company. Relevant comparable on hard cider category positioning, packaging (cans, 4-packs, draft), and multi-state distribution reach.
- Angry Orchard: Largest U.S. hard cider brand, owned by a major beverage incumbent. Provides benchmark for national cider distribution scale and category leadership even though operating model and scale differ.
Direct peers
- Black Star Farms: Michigan winery and agritourism destination with tasting rooms, on-site food, and event hosting. Highly comparable on combining wine production, hospitality, and farm-based experiences in Michigan.
- St. Julian Winery: Michigan farm winery producing wine, cider, and spirits with tasting rooms and broad statewide distribution. Comparable multi-category beverage portfolio and family-owned Michigan identity.
- 2 Towns Ciderhouse: Oregon-based craft hard cider producer with broad SKU portfolio and multi-state wholesale. Comparable craft-cider brand-building model with seasonal and fruit-blended releases.
- Vander Mill Cider: Michigan craft hard cider producer with taproom and on-site retail. Closely comparable on cider manufacturing, Michigan brand positioning, and small-batch SKU strategy.
- Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill (Blake's Hard Cider): Family-run Michigan farm and cidery producing hard cider with on-site bakery, farm market, taproom, and agritourism activities (U-pick, corn maze). Direct comparable on cider production, farm-based retail, and agritainment model in the same state.
- Northville Winery: Michigan farm winery producing wine and cider with tasting room and on-site events. Comparable on small-batch Michigan beverage production, tasting-room retail, and event-driven agritourism.
- Ciderboys: Wisconsin craft hard cider brand with broad fruit-infused SKU range and Midwest distribution. Comparable on flavored cider portfolio and Midwest retail/wholesale positioning.
Regional players
- Short's Brewing Company: Michigan craft brewery with taproom, experimental SKUs, and regional Midwest distribution. Comparable on Michigan craft beverage brand-building, taproom-led revenue mix, and Midwest wholesale footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Uncle John's Cider Mill social profiles
Digital presenceUncle John's Cider Mill financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Uncle John's Cider Mill leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Uncle John's Cider Mill funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Uncle John's Cider Mill M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Uncle John's Cider Mill
What does Uncle John's Cider Mill do?
Uncle John's Cider Mill operates a fifth-generation family farm and agritourism destination in St. Johns, Michigan, producing and selling fresh pressed apple cider, an award-winning hard cider line, wines, mead, apple-distilled spirits (whiskey, brandy, vodka), and a bakery featuring donuts, pies, breads, and caramel apples. The property also functions as a destination venue with a taproom, gift shop, pie barn, Cider Yard, plus paid and free seasonal agritourism activities including a 9-acre corn maze, gemstone mining, wagon rides, pumpkin patch, jumping pillow, and live music events.
Is Uncle John's Cider Mill a public or private company?
Uncle John's Cider Mill is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Uncle John's Cider Mill founded?
Uncle John's Cider Mill was founded in 1970. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Uncle John's Cider Mill based?
Uncle John's Cider Mill is headquartered in St. John's, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Uncle John's Cider Mill make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. On-site Retail Sales are the primary driver. The others are hard Cider Sales, event Venue Rental, agritourism Activities, wine, Spirits, and Mead Sales and wholesale Distribution.
Who are Uncle John's Cider Mill's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Woodchuck Hard Cider and Angry Orchard. Direct peers are Black Star Farms, St. Julian Winery, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Vander Mill Cider, Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill (Blake's Hard Cider), Northville Winery and Ciderboys. Short's Brewing Company is listed as a regional player.
Does Uncle John's Cider Mill have an API?
No public API is recorded for Uncle John's Cider Mill.
What industry is Uncle John's Cider Mill in?
Uncle John's Cider Mill's product category is Craft Cidery and Farm Winery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFALAI, Cideries & Meadery Tasting Rooms, with a secondary code of CRADAIAE, Cider & Perry Producers & Brands. Its NAICS code is 31214 and its SIC code is 5180.