Alber Orchard & Cider Mill & Freedom Winery in Manchester
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill & Freedom Winery
(734) 428-9310
Located about 20 miles southwest of Ann Arbor, it’s a working historic cider mill where heirloom apples are still pressed on an 1890 rack-and-cloth press.
Now they’re known for crisp cider jugs, hot donuts, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, and weekend flights at their on-site hard cider tasting room.
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill Overview
Alber Orchard is a working farm and historic cider mill, best known for pressing heirloom apples the old-fashioned way on an old wooden press. It’s a fall operation, with most of the orchard in full swing from early September through late October.
Outside of harvest season, the farm closes for winter and spring, but the on-site winery picks up the slack, reopening around Memorial Day for tastings and weekend hours through the summer.
It’s when fall hits that this place finds its stride. Donuts lure you in, fresh cider shows up in your hand like magic, and the pumpkins are calling.
Orchard Highlights
First thing to know: if the cider press is running, stop and watch. It’s loud, slow, kind of mesmerizing, and older than every car in the parking lot. If they’re handing out samples, the answer is yes!
Once you’ve got cider in one hand and a warm donut in the other (this is a two-hand operation), head out for a hayride. You can hop off at the pumpkin patch or loop back and tackle the corn maze, which is big enough to get slightly lost in, but not big enough to enough to panic.
Apple picking is seasonal. Wander rows of traditional or heirloom trees and pick what looks good. And if you’re visiting on a weekend after Labor Day, there’s usually something extra happening. A band. A food truck. Maybe just really good weather and the scent of donuts in the wind.
And don’t miss Freedom Winery. They start weekend hard cider tastings around Memorial Day. The pours change often, but expect a mix of dry, sweet, and something with unexpected fruit in it. Check their Instagram to see if anything special is going on.
If You Go
Plan Ahead:
Want to pick apples or catch a cider pressing? Check Facebook before you go. That’s where they post which varieties are ready and when the press is running. Tasting room hours vary, so double-check before you make the trip.
No Pets:
Dogs aren’t allowed, unless they’re certified service animals. Leave the sidekicks at home.
Parking & Layout:
Parking is on grass or gravel. Paths are grassy and uneven, so strollers and wheelchairs work, but it’s a bit rustic.
When to Go:
Weekends in October are packed. For smaller crowds and faster donut access, aim for a weekday or show up early.
Extras & Events:
The orchard gazebo can be booked for small weddings. Freedom Winery hosts live music, food trucks, and seasonal workshops (check their calendar or Instagram for updates).
