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Alejandro and Sonya del Peral
Nine Pin Cider
Albany SBDC

Nine Pin is a craft cider company based in downtown Albany. Established in 2013, Nine Pin is dedicated to creating exceptional off-dry ciders, and to the orchards that make them possible. Apple varieties are carefully selected and blended to achieve a complex, balanced flavor with a clean and pleasantly drinkable finish. Located in the Warehouse District of downtown Albany, Nine Pin Cider is the first cider manufacturer to be awarded a NYS Farm Cidery license in the state. Nine Pin sources apples exclusively from farms in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley. Founders Alejandro and Sonya del Peral are a dynamic mother and son duo that have fostered the development and growth of the business from an annual hard cider production of 10,000 gallons in 2013 to 90,000 gallons in 2016. What started as a boutique manufacturer with limited distribution has grown into a mid-sized manufacturing operation with 14 employees, distribution in multiple states, self-distribution and a sizeable tasting room and retail store. In 2013, Nine Pin won a gold medal for a cider called Catskill Thunder at the Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition. Advisor Kate Baker at the Albany SBDC has worked with the del Peral family and Nine Pin Cider since 2012, when the concept of the business was still in the development stage. Initial assistance included business plan and financial projection assistance for starting the business and developed into ongoing business mentoring, assistance with the management of business finances and the business’ rapid growth. Nine Pin has had two major expansions in the last two years.