Located on Vashon Island, Nashi Orchards was founded in 2011 by Jim Gerlach and Cheryl Lubbert. Since buying the 27-acre property over a decade ago, the couple have worked to steward the land in an environmentally and socially responsible way designed to give back to their local ecosystem and community. Installing solar panels has allowed them to sell additional electricity back to the grid, and they use a holistic, biodynamic approach to managing their orchards. Two years ago, Jim and Cheryl founded the Vashon Island Cider Collaborative with the vision of creating a yearly cider made entirely from apples donated by the community whose proceeds benefit a local non-profit. As a part of this effort, the leftover apple matter from the pressing (called “pommace”) feed livestock during the winter, which helps to prevent the over-wintering of pests.
Nashi Orchards is known for using Asian pears to make perry, rather than the traditional European pear. In fact, “nashi” is another word for Asian pear. Visit for tours and tastings year round on Saturdays 12 – 5 pm or May – October Saturday and Sunday 12 – 5 pm. Weekday tours can be made by appointment.
Ciders at 2015 City Fruit Cider Taste:
Chojuro Asian Pear Perry – made from several different varieties of Asian pear and features a rummy, butterscotch flavor.
Issho Ni Cider
Taste these ciders and more at City Fruit’s 5th Annual Cider Taste Fundraiser on November 12th at the Pike Place Atrium! Buy tickets here.