08/12/2026
🍎🥂 CHEERS TO 10 YEARS OF JAMES CREEK CIDER HOUSE! 🥂🍎
On August 13, 2016, Dave and Ann Marie Thornton took an important step in a journey fueled by a love of apples, agriculture, and traditional cider making. At the Carrboro Farmers’ Market, they released the 2015 harvest of James Creek cider—Russets & ’Twigs, a Southern heirloom cider that represented their passion for growing and preserving remarkable heirloom apple varieties using apples grown right here at James Creek Orchards. Ten years later, that tradition continues, with the James Creek line of ciders showcasing fruit grown right here on the farm and the incredible character of Southern and heirloom apple varieties.
James Creek started small. Really small. Beginning as a husband and wife team in what is a 400 square-foot office today once served as the beginning of a cidery.
And then it grew. 🌳
From that first bottle in 2016, to opening the tasting room in 2019, to navigating obstacles that at times probably felt insurmountable, the story of James Creek has always been one of passion, perseverance, craftsmanship, and a belief that great cider starts with great apples.
And somewhere along the way, their dream became a dream shared by an entire team.
Today, James Creek is supported by an incredible group of friends, neighbors, and staff who work alongside Dave and Ann Marie to keep that original vision alive. From the orchard and production to the tasting room, farmers’ markets, festivals, events, and everything happening behind the scenes, it takes a team—and we’re incredibly proud of the one that has grown here. ❤️
Ten years later, there's a lot to celebrate.
🏆 Ciders that have earned numerous awards
🍎 Recognition throughout our local community, including Best of the Pines
🇺🇸 National recognition through USA TODAY's 10Best competition
🌳 A growing orchard and cidery
🍻 A tasting room that's become a gathering place for our community
🤝 Farmers' markets, events, partnerships, and friendships throughout the region
But through all that growth, some of the most important things haven't changed.
We're still proud of where we started. We're still passionate about the cider we produce. And we're still committed to maintaining the welcoming, small-town atmosphere you've come to know whether you visit us in the tasting room or find us out at an event.
And this week, we're celebrating 10 years the best way we know how—with cider!
🍑 THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 | PEACH NOVA RELEASE
Beginning at 6 PM, we'll introduce an entirely new James Creek cider as we look toward what's next.
🌕 FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 | HARVEST MOON RETURNS
We're also looking back at where we began with the newest batch of Harvest Moon, one of the original ciders in the James Creek lineup.
🍎 SPECIAL 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY FLIGHTS
We'll be pouring special flights honoring some of the first ciders produced at James Creek—a chance to taste a little bit of our history in one glass.
🌳 SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 | FARMERS' MARKET | 1–5 PM
It feels fitting to finish the celebration surrounded by the things that started it all: agriculture, local producers, community, and cider. Join us for local vendors, live music, a fantastic food truck, cider, and tours throughout the afternoon.
But this anniversary isn't only about James Creek.
It's about all of you.
Every bottle you've taken home. Every flight you've ordered. Every farmers' market where you've stopped to say hello. Every event you've attended. Every friend you've brought through our doors. Every recommendation, vote, review, and kind word has helped James Creek become what it is today.
To everyone who discovered us ten years ago and everyone who walked through our doors for the first time last week—thank you.
Here's to humble beginnings.
Here's to hard work and craftsmanship.
Here's to Southern heirloom apples and really great cider.
Here's to the people who made the journey possible.
🍎🥂 CHEERS TO 10 YEARS, JAMES CREEK! 🥂🍎
