Sparkling cider, guided by orchard lovers. In Baden-Württemberg’s Schwarzwald area, 1785 Cider runs a 2-hour guided tasting in English, where you sample a number of sparkling wines from their own production and get the story behind each style. I love that the experience turns sipping into hands-on cider education, and I love the chance for an easy orchard walk when weather cooperates.

The trade-off is timing: it runs Monday to Friday, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and there’s a minimum age of 16, so it is not great for families or for tight sightseeing schedules. If you’re hoping for a daytime activity, you’ll need to plan around the evening slot.

Key Points at a Glance

• Sparkling wines from their own production: You taste what they make, not a random grab-bag.
• English-guided background on every pour: Expect plenty of explanations, not just a toast and leave.
• Orchard walk on nicer evenings: When conditions allow, you see the apples and pears behind the drinks.
• Private tour for your group: Only your group participates, so the pacing feels relaxed.
• Hosted with clear passion: The cider love comes through in how the hosts talk and teach.
• A minimum age of 16: Best for adults and older teens, not little-kid outings.

Mooslochweg Start Time and How the Evening Fits Your Trip

You’ll meet at Mooslochweg, 78089 Unterkirnach, Germany, and the session runs for about 2 hours. This is one of those experiences that fits nicely after a day of slower wandering. It is also built for the evening rhythm, not for a “start at 10 AM and pack in everything” travel day.

The hours are Monday to Friday, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and the operating window runs 02/06/2024 to 12/07/2026. So if your plans include weekends, you’ll want to check dates early. Also, because the tour is private, you can expect the group to be your size, and the guide can keep the pace friendly instead of racing through samples.

One more practical note: the minimum age is 16, and most travelers can participate. If anyone in your group is under that age, plan a different cider stop or a daytime orchard visit instead.

What You Actually Taste: Sparkling Wines and Cider Styles

This tasting centers on a number of sparkling wines from 1785’s own production. Even if you come in thinking you only want “cider,” you’ll likely find the evening is more educational than narrow. Sparkling versions mean the tasting works in a “compare and contrast” way, where you can notice how sweetness, fruit character, and carbonation change your impression.

I like experiences like this because you don’t just taste, you learn how to taste. The format is guided, with lots of background information, so you’re not guessing what you’re drinking. When the hosts explain the why behind each style, your palate gets sharper fast, and the night stops feeling like a blur of cups.

From what you can expect in spirit, the range is meant to be dynamic. You’re not stuck with one or two similar bottles. The point is to show variety, including ideas that can make you rethink what cider can be.

A quick taste mindset that helps

Go in ready to think a little. Take notes if you’re the kind of person who enjoys remembering names later. If you’re not into writing, do it the simple way: choose your top two and the one you found most surprising.

The Orchard Walk Option When Weather Is Right

On nicer evenings, the plan includes a walk through one of the orchards. That matters more than it sounds. Seeing the trees gives you context for what you taste, and you’ll likely understand the fruit differences better after you’ve stood among apple and pear varieties.

The walk also helps break up the evening. Instead of being stuck indoors the whole time, you get a bit of outdoor breathing room. Schwarzwald-area orchards are the kind of place where the air feels cleaner and the sky changes the mood of the tasting right after.

The only catch is the weather factor. Since the orchard walk depends on conditions, wear layers and be ready to shorten your outdoor time if the day turns. If you’re coming from a colder day of hiking, bring something that blocks evening chill.

How the Hosting Feels: Stories, Gardens, and Clear Passion

The tasting is hosted with a lot of warmth and background detail. One of the best parts is that the evening feels personal. If you meet hosts Peter and Wendy, you’ll see how seriously they take cider, but also how much fun they have sharing it.

The setting also contributes to the vibe. You may be surrounded by apple and pear tree farms as well as fruit and herb gardens. That kind of environment changes the tone. You’re not just learning about cider production in theory, you’re watching a real food landscape that supports the drinks.

The hosts use the conversation to guide your tasting, so you’re not left to figure things out alone. You’ll get explanations that connect flavor to process. And because the session is built around sparkling wines, the discussion can include how the fruit and fermentation choices affect what you taste in the glass.

If you’re a traveler who loves “how food is made” stories, this is a strong fit. It also works if you just want a friendly evening with good drinks, because the talk stays grounded and approachable.

Price and Value: Is $30.77 Worth It?

At $30.77 per person for about 2 hours, this is priced in the “reasonable evening experience” category. The value comes from a few specifics:

• You’re not paying for a single glass. You’re paying for a guided format that includes tasting multiple sparkling wines.
• The guide provides background information, which turns it from consumption into learning.
• The experience is private for your group, which usually means less awkwardness and more attention.

If you’re visiting the Baden-Württemberg region and you want an authentic, hands-on food moment without jumping through big travel hoops, this price can make sense. It is also a good option if you want something that feels local and seasonal rather than generic.

Where the value can be weaker is if you dislike cider or sparkling drinks. Since the tasting focuses on their sparkling production, you’ll want to be open to bubbly or fruit-forward profiles. If you only want still wine, you might find the selection less aligned with your tastes.

Practical Tips to Enjoy the Night Without Stress

Plan your day so you arrive calm. Since the session starts in the evening and runs Monday to Friday, treat it like a relaxed finish to the day, not a last-minute detour between appointments.

A few practical things that will help:

• Dress for outdoor time, just in case the orchard walk happens.
• Keep your expectations flexible if weather limits the walk. That is part of the deal.
• Bring a little curiosity. The evening works best when you listen for the meaning behind each pour.
• If you’re relying on your phone for everything, note the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Also, because it’s private, group size can shape the experience. If you’re bringing friends, pick people who enjoy talking and tasting. If your group is quiet, that can be fine too, but this kind of guided session shines when you’re willing to engage a bit.

And yes, service animals are allowed, so you can bring assistance animals when needed.

Who This Cider Tasting Is Best For (and Who Should Pass)

This experience is a strong match if you fit one of these categories:

• You love cider, apples, pears, or anything fruit-driven.
• You want a guided food event that explains what you’re tasting in English.
• You like small, private-group evenings more than crowded tasting rooms.
• You enjoy rural settings and farm views, especially in the Schwarzwald area.

It may not be the best match if:

• You’re traveling with kids. The minimum age is 16.
• You only have weekend dates to spare, since it runs Monday to Friday.
• You hate sparkling drinks, since the focus is on sparkling wines from their own production.

If you’re unsure, think of it like this: this is not a quick “sip and go.” It’s a guided evening for people who want flavor meaning and a bit of orchard context.

Should You Book This Guided Cider Tasting?

If you want a local evening in Baden-Württemberg that feels real and not staged, I’d lean toward booking. The combination of sparkling wines from their own production, clear guidance, and the orchard-walk option makes it more interesting than a basic tasting. It also helps that the hosts bring genuine passion, especially in how they connect the landscape to the drinks.

Book it if you can work around the evening schedule and you’re okay with the 16+ age requirement. Skip it if your trip timing is weekend-only, or if cider is not your thing. Otherwise, this is exactly the kind of small, farm-based experience that gives your trip a flavor you cannot download from a menu.

FAQ

How long is the guided cider tasting?

It lasts about 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $30.77 per person.

Where does the activity start?

The meeting point is Mooslochweg, 78089 Unterkirnach, Germany.

What days and times is the tour offered?

It runs Monday to Friday, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, within the overall operating window of 02/06/2024 to 12/07/2026.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What is the minimum age to join?

The minimum age is 16 years. Most travelers can participate.

Do I get a mobile ticket, and when will I get confirmation?

You’ll have a mobile ticket. You should receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and if a minimum number of travelers is not met, you’ll be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.