Botanist & Barrel

What Botanist & Barrel does

Botanist & Barrel is a privately-held, bootstrapped craft cidery and winery founded in 2017 by two married couples — Lyndon Smith and Amie Fields, and Kether Smith and Deric McGuffey — operating as the South's first natural cidery and winery and the first to craft pét-nat ciders in the Southeast. The company produces dry natural ciders and wines (under the companion DeFi Wines brand) from spray-free heirloom apples, muscadines, blueberries, and pawpaws sourced from its own farm and a network of local growers; products are wild-fermented with native yeast using a wooden basket press whose wood pores harbor the house mixed culture, and are unfiltered, gluten-free, and never pasteurized. Spray-free farming is enforced using dead yeast cells from fermentation as fertilizer and mint and thyme as antibacterials, with multiple orchard sites across distinct weather zones used as a form of crop insurance. Over the company's operating history, more than $500,000 has been reinvested back into local fruit farms, which the founders describe as their most important metric.

The company monetizes across five revenue streams: on-premise tasting room sales at two locations — a downtown Asheville tasting bar (32 Broadway St) and the Cedar Grove farm winery (105 Persimmon Hill Lane) — at flights priced $18–$28; DTC online bottle sales through the Vinoshipper platform shipping to six states; a five-tier subscription club program (Terroir Keepers, Anything Goes, Living Culture, DeFi Society, DeFi Wine) delivering 2–4 times per year at $40–$280 per release; wholesale distribution to restaurants, bars, and bottle shops across NC, SC, GA, CO, MA, and CA; and ticketed events (Friday wine tastings, chef pop-ups, live music, Blueberry Fest, Applefest, fermentation showcase) plus private events and a farm-stay Airbnb. Botanist & Barrel targets natural-wine and cider enthusiasts, wine-club members, experiential tourism visitors, and wholesale accounts with a women-owned and women-produced positioning; the team holds certifications including ACA Pommelier, ACA certified cider professional, Cornell cider certificate, and Court of Master Sommeliers Level 1. The company employs 11–50 people, is privately held with no outside investors, and has navigated five years of significant crop loss, the COVID-19 pandemic pivot, and the 2024 Hurricane Helene impact on Asheville.

Name

Botanist & Barrel

Legal name

Botanist & Barrel Cidery & Winery

Website

https://botanistandbarrel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Botanist & Barrel produces dry, wild-fermented natural ciders and wines from spray-free heirloom apples, muscadines, and blueberries, operating two North Carolina tasting rooms and distributing to six states via wholesale, online sales, and five subscription clubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Craft Cidery & Winery

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Cider & Perry Producers & Brands (CRADAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cider & Perry Production (AFAFAAAD), Cideries & Meadery Tasting Rooms (THAFALAI), Producer-Owned Retail & Bottle Shops (On-site) (THAFALAL), Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA), Beverage Fermentation Cultures (Beer, Wine, Cider, Kombucha, Fermented Soft Drinks) (AFAJAJAC)

Keywords

• Natural cidery production
• Wild fermented wines
• Craft beverage subscription
• Spray-free orchard farming
• Pet-nat cider winemaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tasting Room Sales: On-site sales of cider and wine flights, glasses, and bottles at two tasting locations. Flights range $18-$28. Food service includes local cheese, charcuterie, tinned fish, and other snacks.
2. Direct-to-Consumer Bottle Sales: Online bottle sales via Vinoshipper platform. Ships bottles directly to consumers across their distribution states.
3. Wine/Cider Club Subscriptions: Subscription-based club shipments 2-4 times per year. Multiple tiers: Terroir Keepers Club ($80-$100/6 bottles), Anything Goes Club ($50-$70/3 bottles), Living Culture Club ($40-$60/3 bottles), DeFi Society Club ($160-$280/8 bottles), DeFi Wine Club ($80-$140/4 bottles).
4. Wholesale Distribution: Distribution of products to restaurants, bars, and bottle shops. Active distribution in NC, SC, GA, CO, MA, and CA.
5. Event Revenue: Revenue from ticketed events including festivals, private parties, chef pop-ups, and special tastings. Blueberry Fest entry $5/car.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Botanist & Barrel produces natural, wild-fermented ciders and wines from spray-free, locally sourced heirloom apples, muscadines, blueberries, and pawpaw at their Cedar Grove, NC farm and Asheville, NC tasting bar. The portfolio spans dry natural ciders, pét-nat ciders (first in the Southeast), and the DeFi Wines natural wine line, sold through subscription clubs (Terroir Keepers, Anything Goes, Living Culture, DeFi Society, DeFi Wine), online bottle sales via Vinoshipper, on-premise flights at two tasting rooms, and wholesale to restaurants, bars, and bottle shops across NC, SC, GA, CO, MA, and CA.

Product overview

Botanist & Barrel is the South's first natural cidery and winery, operating as a craft beverage producer with two core product lines: ciders and wines. The cider portfolio includes Dry Natural Ciders and Pet Nats (naturally bubbly ciders and wines), while the DeFi Wines line focuses on dry natural wines made from muscadines and hybrid grapes. The company also offers subscription membership clubs including three cider clubs (Terroir Keepers, Anything Goes, and Living Culture) and two wine clubs (DeFi Society and DeFi Wine), providing recurring shipments with exclusive benefits. Gift cards are available as ancillary products. All products are wild-fermented, unfiltered, gluten-free, and made from locally-sourced spray-free fruit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DeFi Wines: Dry natural wines including pét-nat ciders, still wines, skin contact wines, and experimental bottlings. Founded alongside Botanist & Barrel to reimagine Southern wine through sustainability and local fruit.

Products and services

• Botanist & Barrel Ciders Dry natural ciders made from heirloom apples, muscadines, and blueberries grown spray-free on the Cedar Grove farm or sourced from local neighbors. Wild-fermented, unfiltered, gluten-free, and never pasteurized, targeted at craft cider enthusiasts, club members, and on-premise/wholesale trade accounts.
• Pét-Nat Ciders Naturally bubbly ciders (and wines) produced via pét-nat (pétillant naturel) method, where CO2 comes from natural fermentation and each bottle is a living, unfiltered product expressing terroir through minimal intervention. Targeted at natural-wine and natural-cider enthusiasts.
• DeFi Wines Dry natural wines from muscadines and hybrid grapes under the DeFi Wines label, focused on minimal intervention, native yeast fermentation, and Southern terroir through indigenous grape varieties. Targeted at natural-wine enthusiasts, club members, and on-premise trade accounts.
• Gift Cards Square-based gift cards allowing recipients to choose from the full selection of ciders, wines, and merchandise across tasting rooms and online. Sold to consumers and corporate gifting buyers.
• Terroir Keepers Club (Cider Subscription) Premium cider subscription delivering 6 bottles 4 times per year at $80–$100 per release. Includes first access to experimental and single-varietal ciders, exclusive access to 3 Club Tour Dates per year, 2 complimentary flights, and all global club benefits (10% off shipments and anytime purchases, early access to releases). Targeted at loyal, terroir-driven cider enthusiasts.
• Anything Goes Club (Cider Subscription) Adventure-focused cider subscription delivering 3 bottles 4 times per year at $50–$70 per release. Features wild ferments, seasonal one-offs, and creative chaos in a box, with 1 complimentary tasting flight. Targeted at adventurous cider enthusiasts seeking experimental, limited releases.
• Living Culture Club (Cider Subscription) Core cider subscription delivering 3 bottles 4 times per year at $40–$60 per release. Focused on dry, wild, and ever-evolving cider styles with 1 complimentary tasting flight per year. Targeted at core cider enthusiasts who want regular shipments of the producer's flagship styles.
• DeFi Society Club (Wine Subscription) Premium wine subscription delivering 8 bottles 2 times per year (Spring and Fall) at $160–$280 per release. Includes deeper selections, extended aging, experimental bottlings, and first access to limited and single-varietal releases, plus 2 complimentary flights. Targeted at wine-obsessed enthusiasts.
• DeFi Wine Club (Wine Subscription) Wine subscription delivering 4 bottles 2 times per year (Spring and Fall) at $80–$140 per release. Curated mix of still, sparkling, skin-contact, and wild red wines, with 1 complimentary tasting flight. Targeted at natural-wine enthusiasts seeking a balanced, rotating selection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $500,000 invested back into local fruit farms over their operating history
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MainVineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 July 2025Dee from MainVine Wines hosts weekly Friday wine tastings at the Asheville location. This is an ongoing collaborative tasting event series featuring guest winemakers.
• 3 KeysminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 July 2025Gwen from 3 Keys hosts champagne tastings at the Asheville bar, paired with tinned fish and chips.
• Food ConnectionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Ongoing partnership with Food Connection, an Asheville nonprofit that rescues unserved chef-prepared food. Botanist & Barrel donates 10% of total sales on benefit days and supports Cúrate bottle sales.
• Haw River Wine ManminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2025Luke from Haw River Wineman leads Friday night wine tastings at the Asheville location, featuring wines suited for Father's Day and seasonal selections.
• DeFi WinescoreOthersDeFi Wines is the companion natural wine brand under the Botanist & Barrel umbrella, sharing the same founders and farming philosophy but focused on wines rather than ciders.
• Curate (Asheville)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with Cúrate restaurant for Food Connection benefit events. Jessica Slayer, Cúrate Beverage Director, participates in tasting events.
• Roses Dumplings (Durham)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRoses Dumplings from Durham provides onigiri pairings for DeFi wine release parties at the Cedar Grove location.
• AlchemyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlchemy mead from Griffin Abee has been a staple at the Asheville shop since opening. Griffin hosts special mead tasting events.
• The Oyster Girl NCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOyster supplier from Topsail Sound that does pop-up events at both locations. The Oyster Girl provides fresh oysters shucked by the growers themselves.
• Waterman's ChoiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeed-to-shuck shellfish operation founded by Griffin Canady growing premium oysters in Topsail and Stump Sound. Partners for oyster roast events.
• Coezii CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing Partner5-piece jazz ensemble that performs at Cedar Grove events, including the 9th Anniversary Summer Solstice celebration.
• Tax Free String BandminorGTM or Marketing Partner4-piece band that performs at square dance events at the Cedar Grove winery location.
• Leia SadikuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcoustic jazz musician who performs at Cedar Grove events on guitar and ukulele.
• The Oyster Girl NCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOyster pop-up events at the farm location with shucking demonstrations and wine pairings.
• Fish CultminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreates specialty tinned fish products featured in creative events like 'Glizzy of the Sea' hot dog-style tinned fish experience.
• Addison, Demarcation, Euda, Pleb, Fonta FloraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeven small producers participating in the 'Direct from the Maker: Fermentation showcase' industry-style tasting event. All pour their own wines, ciders, vermouth, and beer.
• Gena Bakes CakesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBaker who creates petit fours paired with wines and ciders for special events like anniversary weekend cake pairings.
• Abbiocco Pizza Pop UpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlen from abbiocco_home provides pizza pop-up events at the Asheville location with pizza and glass pairings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Schilling Cider: Pacific Northwest craft cidery with taproom and broad distribution. Comparable to B&B as a craft cider brand with tasting room retail and multi-state distribution.
• Wyndridge Farm: Pennsylvania farm-based cidery and craft beverage producer with restaurant, tasting room, and event-driven business. Comparable to B&B for its farm-to-glass model and integrated tasting room + wholesale strategy.
• Tilted Shed Ciderworks: California-based cidery focused on wild-fermented, low-intervention ciders made from local heirloom apples. Closely comparable to B&B for its natural/wild fermentation philosophy and small-batch craft approach.
• Stem Ciders: Colorado-based craft cidery with a focus on dry, traditional-method ciders and a Denver taproom. Highly comparable to B&B for its dry, low-intervention production philosophy and craft distribution model.
• 2 Towns Ciderhouse: One of the largest independent craft cider producers in the US, based in Oregon. Directly comparable to Botanist & Barrel as a craft cider producer with taproom, distribution, and cider club operations, though at much larger scale.
• Jolie-Laide Wines: California natural wine producer focusing on low-intervention, terroir-driven wines with small production. Comparable to B&B's wine program for its natural winemaking ethos and craft-scale operations.
• Donkey & Goat Winery: Berkeley-based natural winery producing low-intervention wines from Rhône and other varietals. Highly comparable to B&B's DeFi Wines for its natural winemaking philosophy and small-batch craft distribution.
• Bold Rock Hard Cider: Major craft hard cider brand with taprooms and broad distribution across multiple states. Comparable to B&B as a multi-state craft cider producer with tasting room retail, though with a more conventional product line.
• Austin Eastciders: Texas-based craft cidery with tasting rooms and broad distribution. Directly comparable as a craft cider producer with taproom experiences and multi-state wholesale strategy.

Emerging players

• Alchemy Mead: Asheville-based mead producer and frequent collaborator at B&B's tasting bar. Comparable for its small-batch craft fermentation approach and Asheville overlap, though operates in the adjacent mead category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/botanistandbarrel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Botanist & Barrel