Third-generation owner describes historic Clendenen orchard, cider production and succession plans

Clif Clendenen, owner of Clendenen Cider Works, said his grandfather established the business in 1909 and the orchard retains nearly the same footprint from its original 1869 planting. "It was established by my grandfather in 1909 ... it's a 5acre apple orchard," Clendenen said.

Clendenen described the farm’s signature fresh apple cider, which he says is always a blend of sweet and tart varieties and is pressed at least once a week during the season, which he described as running from August through "late January, early February." He said his own path included studying botany at UC Davis and working elsewhere before returning to the family operation in the fall of 1978.

Describing recent on-farm changes, Clendenen said they replaced "three 16ft rows with four 12T rows on a tall trellis" and installed a drip irrigation system that allows the team to irrigate the whole block "with the turn of a valve." He also showed pomace from the morning press, calling it "an edible product" that they have not yet turned into a market item but that makes "excellent compost."

Clendenen said his goal, at "almost 72," is to set the operation up so his son and daughter-in-law—the fourth generation—can continue the farm. He emphasized farm visits and field trips as an educational component, saying, "one of our my favorite parts of the business... kids will go home and go, 'Oh, I had a Clendenen apple and it was really good.'"

Clendenen framed the farm’s work as both a business and a community service, noting climate-smart and local-community benefits of supporting small farms. The interview did not specify precise dates beyond the founding and did not provide formal business documents.