Bottoms Up: Rogers Orchards OK'd For Hard Cider

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A popular apple orchard in town has received the necessary approvals from the town to build and open a hard cider mill and tasting area on its site.

Rogers Orchard, located at 336 Long Bottom Road in Southington, is building a 1,800-square-foot building and patio complex at the orchard to specialize in making and sampling hard cider, which is made from apples.

It would operate in a similar fashion as a vineyard sells and allows for the tasting of wine.
In three separate 7-0 votes Tuesday, the Southington Planning and Zoning Commission approved a site plan, a special permit and a sidewalk waiver for the project.

The sidewalk waiver means the applicant doesn't build pedestrian sidewalks leading to the new development, something the applicant says would be cumbersome and not in line with a farm operation.

Tuesday, the PZC conducted an in-depth public hearing in which Rogers presented its plan and only one property abutter, who said he supported the project, offered any bit of concern.

"It will be dedicated to the production of cider, with a tasting room for about 40 guests in the building," said Severino V. Bovino, an engineer from Kratzert, Jones & Associates Inc. out of Waterbury, representing the orchard.

Bovino said the orchard addition would utilize the scenery of the site and allow for a relaxed atmosphere of cider sampling and purchases.

He said the approved hours of operation would be from 10 a.m. to midnight seven days a week and there would be 70 additional parking spaces created.

Peter Rogers, president of Rogers Orchard Inc., said the family farming business dates back to 1809 and expanding to offer cider sales and tastings is a way to diversify the business, something necessary in a modern, post-pandemic economy.

"We want to be around for another 200 years," Rogers told PZC members.

Like Bovino, Rogers said the addition would not only showcase the orchard's cider offerings, but it would showcase the scenery and tranquility the site has to offer.

"What we want to do is diversify our business in offering hard cider in a location that showcases the beauty of our orchard and the beauty of Southington," Rogers said.

Southington resident Steve Parsons was the only member of the public to speak at the hearing, calling the orchard a "good neighbor." Parsons' property abuts the orchard.

He said while he supported the orchard's plan, he was concerned about noise generated from potential late-night events at the cider mill.

"It's a beautiful spot and I was wondering if it might develop more and whether that could contribute to a different atmosphere at the orchard," Parsons said.

Bovino pointed out the building would be about 1,000 feet away from Parsons and any music that would be played would be indoors.

He said the applicant actually plans to have events end at 10 p.m., though a midnight time was sought to account for any instances where an event might go past that mark.

PZC members haggled a bit about that 10 p.m. versus midnight time, ultimately deferring to Rogers and expressing trust they could monitor that situation.

Ultimately, town support for the project was unanimous and PZC members expressed some enthusiasm for the plans.

"I think the commission has been impressed by your presentation," Southington PZC Chairman Robert Hammersley said to the applicants.

To watch the full June 21 Southington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, visit this link.

For all the documents associated with the 36 Long Bottom Road applications, visit this link.

For more information on Rogers Orchards, visit this link.