After working in Paris for twenty years as a photographer for the likes of Libé, Le Monde, Cartier, Kenzo and Hermès, Marc Abel shifted his focus to farmhouse beverages at the turn of the twenty-first century. It was through a chance encounter with natural wine via Patrick Desplats (Pat) and Sébastien Dervieux (Babass) in 1998 that he was initiated into the magical world of spontaneous fermentation. 

The following year, Marc left Paris to relocate his family to Bretagne for fresh air and an escape from the city. He continued to work as a photographer until 2010, all the while searching for a job that would allow him to get his hands in the dirt. In 2011, he happened upon an abandoned cidery four kilometers from his house and took it as a sign. With the help of his friend François, Marc plunged headfirst into cider making.

At the time, natural cider—nothing added, nothing removed—did not really exist. They quickly discovered a thirsty clientele, first locally and then internationally, through their embrace of natural wine’s philosophy and practices. 

In 2020, François decided to begin a new chapter of life, and Marc welcomed Max, a former roofer and zinc worker (also looking to be closer to nature) into the fold. Now, the adventure continues with Marc and Max at the helm.

CIDRERIE DU GOLFE

Country: France

Region: Bretagne

Sub-region or Appellation: Arradon

Winemakers: Marc & Max

Viticulture: Organic, biodynamic

Terroir:

Size:

Website: la-cidrerie.fr
Instagram: @cidreriedugolfe

Cidrerie du Golfe :: Hors-Norme

A mix of hand-picked apples, some which are more bitter and some which are more sour than those found in your typical cider recipe, are blended to create this distinctive, slightly bitter and spicy cider. Far from the standards and the norms (‘Hors-Norme’).

Vintage: 2021
Varieties: Marie-Ménard, Douce-Coet, Douce-Moen and Judor
Style: Cider
ABV: 7%
Region: Bretagne
Sub-Region or Appellation: Arradon/Morbihan
Viticulture: Organic
Age of Orchards: 23 years old
Soils: Sandy clay soils
Elevation: 15m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: In tanks
Aging: 1 year
Fining or Filtering: By racking
Sulfur: None added

Cidrerie du Golfe :: X-Tra

Made from a blend of 12 apple varietals ranging from bitter to bittersweet to sweet to sour. Dry, fruity and powerful and powerful at the same time, finishing with a lovely persistent bitterness.

Vintage: 2021
Style: Cider
Varieties: Marie-Ménard, Douce-Coet, Douce-Moen, Kermerien, Avrolles, Guillevic, Peau de Chien, Pomme de Moi, Bedan, Petit Jaune, Petit Amer, and Judor
ABV: 7%
Region: Bretagne
Sub-Region or Appellation: Arradon/Morbihan 
Viticulture: Organic
Age of Orchards: 23 to 50 years old
Soils: Sandy clay and granite soils
Elevation: 15 m + 60 m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: In tanks and barrels
Aging: 2 year
Fining or Filtering: By racking
Sulfur: None added

Cidrerie du Golfe :: Baphomet

Marc and François recycle the lees used for making pommeau into the fermentation process for this cuvée, resulting in a cider of profound depth, rich aromas, a slight woodiness and an intriguing licorice finish.

Vintage: 2021
Style: Cider
Varieties: Guillevic
ABV: 7%
Region: Bretagne
Sub-Region or Appellation: Arradon/Morbihan
Viticulture: Organic
Age of Orchards: 23 years old
Soils: Sandy clay soils
Elevation: 15m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: In tanks and barrels
Aging: 2 year
Fining or Filtering: By racking
Sulfur: None added

Cidrerie du Golfe :: Gueule de Bois

Unique for its incorporation of a solera-like method of fermentation. Several generations of apples and yeast marry together to create a cider of exceptionally rare complexity.

Vintage: 2013 to 2021
Style: Cider
ABV: 7%
Region: Bretagne
Sub-Region or Appellation: Arradon/Morbihan
Viticulture: Organic
Age of Orchards: 23 years old
Soils: Sandy clay soils
Elevation: 15m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Barrels
Aging: 1-9 years
Fining or Filtering: By racking
Sulfur: None added

Cidrerie du Golfe :: Mon Coeur Balance

A co-ferment of late-harvest Gamay with early-harvest apples. A long and slow fermentation over the course of 3 months results in a serene, balanced rosé-hued cider with light persistent bubbles.

Vintage: 2021
Style: Cider
Varieties: Guillevic and Gamay
ABV: 8.7%
Region: Bretagne
Sub-Region or Appellation: Arradon/Morbihan
Viticulture: Organic
Age of Orchards: 23 years old
Soils: Sandy clay soils
Elevation: 15m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Cofermented in tanks
Aging: 2 year
Fining or Filtering: By racking
Sulfur: None added

Cidrerie du Golfe :: P’tite Cuvée

A single varietal cider made exclusively with Guillevic apples hyperlocal to the region, resulting in a pure cider emblematic of the southern Morbihan. Very fine bubbles for a “cidre de soif” coupled with delicate acid and a pleasing integration of fruit.

Vintage: NV
Style: Cider
ABV: 5.5%
Region: Bretagne
Sub-Region or Appellation: Arradon

Cidrerie du Golfe :: Cidre d’Ici

Some twenty different varieties from old “peasant” orchards combine to make magic in Cidre d’ici, the flagship cuvée of the cidery. Balanced and fruit-forward, with notes ranging from bitter to bittersweet to sweet and sour. Pick your pleasure.

Vintage: NV
Style: Cider
ABV: 5.5%
Region: Bretagne
Sub-Region or Appellation: Arradon