Cider Chat

Levi Danielson is the founder and cider maker at RAW Cider, based in Dayton, Oregon. With roots in the Driftless Region of Minnesota and a cidery nestled among cider apples and pears in the Willamette Valley, Levi’s story is one of wild ferments, place-based cider, and planting for the future – both in Oregon and back home. Levi Danielson Building RAW Cider Levi’s path began in microbiology and health policy before a leap to France introduced him to wild fermentation and orchard life. After interning and later leading production at Dragon’s Head Cider in Washington, Levi launched RAW Cider in 2020 with méthode champenoise ciders that quietly matured during the pandemic. Since then, RAW Cider has: Opened a year-round tasting room on an orchard in Dayton, Oregon Earned gold and silver medals for its first releases Focused on native yeast fermentation, minimal intervention, and orchard-first practices Planted and top-grafted cider and perry fruit in both Oregon and Minnesota Pear Ambitions and a Regional Vi