[Archived] Northern Virginia’s First Cidery to Open in Alexandria: Lost Boy Cider Will Call Carlyle Home

For Immediate Release: May 15, 2019

On May 15, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina K. Ring announced that Lost Boy Cider, a soon-to-open Alexandria business, will receive an Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) program grant. The announcement, made on behalf of Governor Ralph Northam, outlines the details of the first Virginia Farm Winery-licensed production facility in the region. Lost Boy Cider will produce a variety of traditional and innovative hard ciders, sourcing nearly 100% Virginia-grown apples.

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) worked with the Governor and his administration to secure resources that will result in the opening of Northern Virginia’s first cidery in Alexandria. AEDP identified the AFID program as a tool that will help launch the cidery, working with the company and the Commonwealth of Virginia to facilitate the grant application process. AEDP also assisted the company with site selection, helping Lost Boy select a warehouse space in the Carlyle neighborhood of Alexandria. Today’s announcement is an example of the City and AEDP’s commitment to attracting and retaining businesses across various industries to grow Alexandria’s economy. 

With Port City Brewing Company just a few miles down the road, and the arrival of Aslin Beer Company this summer, the cidery is well positioned to be the perfect addition to the growing local craft beverage scene, helping draw in tourists and residents to enjoy authentic Virginia made beverages.  

Lost Boy Cider is planting more than just their cidery in the Carlyle neighborhood; they will also have an apple orchard on location adjacent to the tasting room. Owner Tristan Wright planted several semi-dwarf golden delicious varieties from Stark Brothers, a Mississippi Delta-based company that provides heritage apple varieties. The self-pollinating and hearty apple trees will reach approximately nine feet in height when fully grown and will produce roughly 80 gallons of juice. The inaugural machinery-free harvest for the trees will take place in fall 2020.  

For media inquiries, contract Maurisa Potts, CEO of Spotted MP (Marketing + Public Relations) at maurisa@spottedmp.com  or 703.501.6289; or Adrianne Griffith, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, at griffith@alexecon.org or 703.652.5349.

Following is the text of the Governor’s announcement, which is also available at:
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2019/may/headline-840643-en.html

Governor Northam Announces First Craft Cidery in City of Alexandria

Lost Boy Cider to renovate vacant warehouse, open City’s first Virginia Farm Winery-licensed production facility

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Lost Boy Cider will invest more than $668,000 to renovate a nearly 6,000-square-foot warehouse space for a new hard cider production facility and tasting room. The company will produce a variety of traditional and innovative hard ciders, sourcing 100 percent of its apples from Virginia. With several apple trees on site, Lost Boy Cider will become the City’s first Virginia Farm Winery-licensed production facility, creating an exciting new amenity for residents and tourists seeking an authentic Virginia craft beverage experience.

“The arrival of Lost Boy Cider in the City of Alexandria will help strengthen Virginia’s reputation as a top destination for artisanal cider and build on the tremendous growth and momentum of our craft beverage industry,” said Governor Northam. “This investment from Lost Boy Cider, and their commitment to sourcing the Virginia’s apples that make ciders so distinctive, is a reflection of the economic impact that our agricultural and tourism sectors can have in cities as well as rural parts of the Commonwealth.”

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the close ties between Virginia’s urban and rural regions made possible by our strong agricultural industry,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. “I am excited to partner with the City of Alexandria through the AFID program to help Lost Boy Cider establish a new market for Virginia apples and create a tangible, tasteable connection to Virginia agriculture in the heart of Northern Virginia.”

“My wife Katie and I have spent nearly three years preparing for this project launch,” said Tristan Wright, Founder of Lost Boy Cider. “It has been incredibly rewarding to have the support of the community, the City of Alexandria, and the State of Virginia. We have developed an exclusive blend of Virginia orchard-based apple juice with local cultivators and plan to apply the funding we received through the AFID program towards building stronger relationships with Virginia-based growers. As stewards of a long-standing Virginia tradition of hard cider, we cannot thank the City and State enough for their support. Wassail!!!”

The Commonwealth is partnering with the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). Governor Northam approved a $30,000 grant from the AFID Fund to secure the project for Virginia, which the City of Alexandria will match with local funds.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lost Boy Cider to Alexandria, and we are pleased to work with the Commonwealth of Virginia to support another innovative entrepreneur,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “Lost Boy is a delicious addition to the incredible variety of food and beverage businesses that help Alexandria’s economy thrive. We look forward to helping Lost Boy grow and prosper in Alexandria.”

“We are so excited to be able to officially welcome Lost Boy Cider to our growing brewing community here in Alexandria,” said Stephanie Landrum, President and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership. “The AEDP team has been working with the cidery founder and the Commonwealth for almost a year to facilitate the successful application for this AFID Program grant that will help bring this entrepreneur’s dream to reality. Lost Boy Cider joins a strong community of small and locally-owned businesses in Alexandria, and will be a great addition to the Carlyle neighborhood.”

“I am very pleased that Lost Boy Cider has chosen to set down their roots among the vibrant community of small businesses that call Alexandria and the 30th Senate District home,” said Senator Adam Ebbin. “Their arrival demonstrates the value in cultivating entrepreneurship through strategic partnerships at the state and local level to bring to bear the best Virginia has to offer.”

“Like most Alexandrians, I revere the history of our 270-year-old city,” said Delegate Mark Levine. “So it’s thrilling to know that cider made from 100 percent Virginia apples will once again be made right here, just as prominent Alexandrians like George Washington produced three centuries ago and drank in our taverns. I’m confident this productive partnership among the Commonwealth, the City, and Lost Boy Cider will boost Alexandria’s already substantial flair for both history and fine restaurants, improve the growing Carlyle neighborhood, and give tourists and locals yet one more reason to visit and love our city.”