In 2006, Paul and Amanda Vander Heide started Vander Mill with a simple belief: Michigan apples make the best cider. Working with local growers who share their respect for the fruit, they turned a small-town cidery into something Michigan can be proud of – honest cider, crafted with care.
In 2005, Paul and Amanda Vander Heide sketched out plans for a traditional cider mill in Spring Lake, Michigan. By 2006, Vander Mill opened its doors, and with Michigan’s apple-rich soil beneath our feet, hard cider was the natural next step.
Photo Credit: Grand Rapids Magazine
2009 marked our first hard cider release, and word spread fast. By 2014, we were helping establish the Michigan Cider Association, bringing together folks who believe in pushing craft cider forward.
Photo Credit: Grand Rapids Magazine
2015 brought big changes when we found our new home – an old beer distribution building in Grand Rapids. We lifted the entire roof three feet to fit our 12,000-gallon fermentation tanks, brought on cider maker Dave Bayes, and by 2016, we were pressing apples in Grand Rapids. When 2020 came around, we said goodbye to Spring Lake to focus on our expanded operation.
These days, you’ll find our cider in seven Midwest states, with online shipping to 38 states. We even added craft beer to the lineup in 2022. But some things don’t change – we’re still pressing Michigan apples, still experimenting with new ideas, and still committed to excellence, every step of the way.
From Michigan orchards to your glass — welcome to the Vander Mill story.
Revue Magazine Best of the West (Michigan), 2016-2022, 12+ for Cider / Cidery
GLINTCAP (Great Lakes International Cider & Perry) Competition, 2008-2024, 100 Awards
Sagardo Forum (Spain), 2019, 6 Awards Including a Best in Show
