Seeking to get closer to the land and rhythms of nature, in 2009 Ann Marie and David began planting southern heirloom apples, varieties that grew all across the South before Prohibition with the idea of making hard cider that would have a sense of the place they called home. That planting thrived and so did their passion for farming and cider-making.

Now James Creek Orchards grows over 95 varieties of apples, including cider varieties from England, France and Spain, as well as peaches, blueberries and muscadines, while James Creek Cider House makes traditional, harvest-based ciders from its estate-grown apples, as well as innovative ciders blended with local fruits and botanicals under the Stargazer Cider brand. With an annual production of 4500 cases of cider, sold in the tasting room, at farmers’ markets, and to restaurants, breweries and bottle shops within an hour’s drive, James Creek has received national and international recognition for its ciders, including membership in the Good Food Guild. In 2024, USA Today named James Creek one of the 10 Best Cideries in the nation and called its Beehive Ginger, a cider with fresh ginger and local honey, one of the best ciders as well.