Natural Ciders made from Manitoba fruit. In the 1970s, UCLA law professor and legal scholar Christopher Stone argued that trees and forests should have a legal standing in court. But trees can’t speak or walk, so they need someone to represent them. Stone called these representatives “Next Friends” We pick fruit from backyards, trails, parks and the forest. The inspiration for the name is that the Manitoba trees we work with mostly yield fruit that would otherwise go to waste. When the juice is transformed into cider it gives these trees a voice they might otherwise not have. Their voice is heard in bottle though, instead of in court, which is much nicer. In keeping with our values that view beverages like cider and wine as food, we hold them to the same standard like minimal preservatives and the absence of pesticides. We like drinks that are made with nature in mind. Our ciders are fermented with natural yeast and bottled without fining or filtration. These ciders take time to make, up to a full year or more for some. They are the product of gentle care and attention, not a factory. Enjoy!