RIP Terry Maloney, West County Ciders

Yesterday I saw a Facebook blurb from Aeppeltrow Winery that simply said, " Farewell, Terry Maloney. You will remain an inspiration. American cidermakers are all your scion and we will bear good fruit for you, forever." More info came in a quickly assembled Cider Digest this morning:

Subject: RIP Terry Maloney
From: Ben Watson
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:53:44 -0500

Dear Fellow Cider Digesters,

It is my sad duty to report the untimely death of one of the best-known and
best-loved of America's craft cidermakers -- Terry Maloney of West County
Cider in Colrain, Massachusetts.

Terry died in what can only be described as a freak accident yesterday
(Friday) in the basement cidermaking room at his home. From what I
understand, a piece of filtration equipment full of cider under pressure
"exploded" with sufficient force to knock Terry back, and he hit his head
hard, causing his death.

Already this morning (Sat), some of Terry's closest friends in the cider
community have been on the phone with one another, discussing this shocking
and unexpected event. In the course of time, I'm sure that we will organize
at least one memorial or tribute (and probably more) to this gentle,
affectionate man who -- as much as anyone -- was responsible (along with
his terrific wife Judith) for the modern rebirth of cider culture in the
US.

I first met Judith and Terry Maloney more than 20 years ago, and we almost
immediately became friends. The Maloneys came to western Massachusetts with
experience from California vineyards. The beautiful hill towns of Franklin
County, MA are a traditional apple-growing and cider-making region, so Terry
and Judith began a winery that focused on locally grown fruits like apples
and blueberries. Over the years, they have everything from unfiltered Farm
Cider (still one of my favorites) to artfully crafted cidre doux and a whole
range of distinguished varietals that included Reine de Pomme, Baldwin,
Roxbury Russet, Kingston Black, and the astonishingly good, copper-colored
Redfield, a signature product of West County Cider and an example of Terry's
skill as both a cidermaker and fruit grower.

In addition to making their own cider, Terry and Judith have been central
players in promoting craft ciders from all over the US -- as founders and
organizers of the annual Cider Days festival, which over the past 15+ years
has provided an ever-expanding showcase of the best American ciders. All of
us -- producers and drinkers alike -- owe the Maloneys our profound respect
and gratitude.

Those of us who knew Terry personally will always remember him as a
thoughtful, soft-spoken, cultured, but also passionate man, and will miss
him greatly. But Terry's death is also a loss to many in the cider world who
never met him -- he was a real pioneer who showed the way for so many of
today's craft producers. He willed be missed.

As I hear of any tributes or memorials being planned, I will try to pass
along that information to everyone.

Respectfully yours,

Ben Watson
Francestown, NH

This is sad news for all cidermakers, and for all of us as human beings. Terry was a real inspiration to many, myself included. I concur with those who ask that we raise a glass in respect, and continue to ply our craft in his honor.

Live today as if it's your last, it might be, and remember to leave smiles and good thoughts behind.

TB