When master distiller Brendan Coyle stepped away from his global role at Constellation Brands, he wasn't retreating – he was pursuing a vision that had been quietly taking shape for years. Together with his wife Carly, he's crafted something extraordinary in Utah's Camas Valley: Dendric Estate, a high-elevation cidery producing sophisticated, wine-style ciders from their meticulously cultivated orchard.
Their story begins at High West Distillery, where Brendan served as head distiller and Carly handled operations and finance. Though their careers flourished separately – Brendan eventually overseeing spirits production globally and Carly moving to the outdoor industry – they missed working together and dreamed of building something truly their own.
The couple's six-year journey to their first bottle release reveals the patience required when agriculture meets artisanal beverage production. They've pioneered methods for growing cider apples at 7,000 feet, researching similar climate regions and enduring years of trial and error to develop what Brendan calls their "playbook" for high-elevation orcharding.
What makes Dendric Estate truly distinctive is their approach to cider itself. Rather than producing the sweet, simple ciders that dominate the American market, they're creating bone-dry sparkling ciders using traditional winemaking methods. Their debut release features zero residual sugar, bright acidity, and mineral notes that have led visiting sommeliers to compare it to Sauvignon Blanc.
"In some ways, America has done the cider industry a disservice over the past 100 years," Brendan explains, contrasting commercial offerings with the fine cider traditions of Spain and the UK. The Coyles aim to showcase cider's sophistication while keeping it approachable – creating a product that's equally at home at backyard gatherings or fine dining establishments.
Looking ahead, they're planning a tasting room for 2027 where visitors can experience their cider amid the very orchards that produced it. It's all part of their vision to deepen connections to the Camas Valley community while introducing people to cider as they believe it should be: complex, terroir-driven, and utterly delicious.
Experience Dendric Estate at select restaurants in Park City and Salt Lake City, or visit their property on Fridays and Saturdays to taste what happens when world-class beverage expertise meets Utah's spectacular mountain landscape.

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