A Wool Cardigan For A Fall Day At The Cider Mill

The oldest steam-powered cider mill in the country, an old seaport and a coastal walk, on one cool Connecticut day.

September 21, 2026
By Oliver Charles

B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic, Connecticut, is the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States. On a fall visit you can watch the press work, drink the cider as it comes off it, and walk it off by the harbor in nearby Stonington.

There’s nothing better than fall. The trees are exploding with color as if we were living in a Dr. Seuss book, and the air is as crisp as the leaves that litter the soon-to-be frozen ground.

With winter right around the corner and the sun setting sooner, a beautiful fall day is a bit like a gift! You never know if it’ll be the last one of the year.

A few weekends ago, we got one of those days. The cool fall air was still and peaceful in a way that made each ray of sun feel like the warm embrace of an Oliver Charles Sweater.

It was the perfect opportunity to take my 100% Yak Wool Cardigan out for a spin.

I also slipped on a pair of our Yak Wool Socks. Since yak fiber is crimped, it traps heat and breathes incredibly well. Perfect for keeping the chill at bay on this New England adventure.

Two pairs of folded wool socks, one black and one grey, lying on a bed of yellow fall leaves

A grey wool sock with a charcoal stripe lying on a carpet of pine needles

What Is B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill?

The first stop was B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic, Connecticut. Established in 1881, it’s the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States.

The white clapboard cider mill with steam rising from its roof beside a tall brick chimney, under a blue sky

How Long Has Clyde’s Been Pressing Cider?

Clyde’s has been operating exactly the same way since its founding in 1881 and is still run by the same family. Today, it’s the 5th generation of Clyde’s that’s operating the centuries-old press.

A man in a brown cardigan over a black T-shirt standing in the mill’s doorway beside an orange gate

What Makes The Press At Clyde’s Unusual?

The machine that presses the apples has gone completely unchanged since its opening. Not so much as a gear has ever been replaced. The only change is that the apple press’s steam engine now burns oil rather than coal.

It’s a simple process that starts with 350 pounds of apples being deposited onto a big canvas sheet. That’s enough to make about 75 gallons of sweet golden apple cider.

Apple pulp heaped on a white canvas sheet beneath the steel plate of the cider press

Mill workers folding canvas over a layer of apple pulp on the wooden press bed as visitors watch

Wrapping The Apples

The mill operators carefully wrap the apple slurry, its own version of a sweater. The wrap keeps any rogue apple bits from sneaking into the cider. However, I like to think it also keeps the apples warm in the cool fall air.

When the apples are comfortable and cozy in their canvas sweater, the giant contraption rotates and positions itself beneath the ancient press.

An animation inside the mill: a worker swings the stack of wrapped apple pulp out from under the press while visitors watch

How Long Does It Take To Press Cider?

It takes about 30 minutes for the machine to squeeze every last ounce of juice from the apples. The cider is drained beneath the press, where it’s flash-pasteurized and immediately ready for drinking.

A man in a brown cardigan drinking cider from a jug beneath the B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill sign

What Does Fresh Cider Taste Like?

It’s the sweetest thing you’ll ever taste. It’s as if someone was able to distill the feeling of the warm sun on a cool day into liquid form.

A man in a brown cardigan holding a cup of cider on a covered porch, autumn trees behind him

Cider And A Good Sweater

The cider they produce reminds me a lot of our sweaters. It’s incredibly versatile yet so simple. The mill sells all manner of cider-based goodies, but nothing beats their fresh apples with a hot cup of fresh cider on the side.

Pair that with a 100% Yak Wool Cardigan and your best friend that’s not Jack (my girlfriend Maggie, in her favorite Undyed All-Season V-Neck), and you’ll be hard-pressed (pun intended) to have a better day.

A smiling couple taking a selfie outside the mill’s shop, she in a green knit beanie and he in a brown cardigan and a grey cap

Stonington Harbor

After filling up on hot cider, donuts, and slices of apple pie, we figured we better get some light exercise. Emphasis on light.

So we headed to the Connecticut coast for a leisurely stroll. Naturally, I was pretty excited about the old boats in the harbor. Since Stonington is an old seaport, there’s a plethora of antique ships to ogle.

Despite being on our feet all afternoon, the new Winter Crew Socks were a dream. Yak wool is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, so I had comfortable, dry feet all day.

A man in a brown cardigan pointing across a harbor of moored sailboats toward a church steeple on the far shore

The Last Of The Fall Color

From there, we headed inland, hoping to see what was left of the vibrant fall colors. Sadly, we’d missed the peak of the leaves, but there was still plenty of beautiful flora to be enjoyed.

A man in a brown cardigan standing on a grassy path among bare autumn brush under a blue sky

Pockets Full Of Dog Treats

As we walked, the overgrown brush that hid the coastline from wondering eyes grew taller and taller.

Along our saunter, we made many friends, most of them furry. This was no mistake. The best thing about our 100% Yak Wool Cardigan is that the pockets are perfect for storing dog treats. You never know when you will come across a four-legged fellow looking for a snack. Luckily, I was prepared and made a few friends for life.

Seen from behind, a man in a brown cardigan walking down a grassy path between tall overgrown brush

A couple standing on a grassy path while a small tan dog looks up at them

New Friends On The Trail

I mean it when I say friends for life. Our new furry friends followed us down the path, leaving their owners baffled at their rapid allegiance change. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the treats I had in my cardigan pocket.

A smiling couple sitting on a stone wall, the man in a brown cardigan holding a small dog

A Late Lunch

Finally, as the sun began to set, we decided a late lunch was in order. We laughed as we reminisced on the apples, the boats, and our new friends.

A man in a brown cardigan laughing in a wooden restaurant booth, sunlight coming through the window

What We Wore

It was the perfect fall day in the perfect sweater (and socks) for fall.

The sweater was the 100% Yak Wool Cardigan, with pockets for whatever you want on hand on a walk, and the socks were the Winter Crew Socks, made for a long afternoon on your feet. For milder days, our All-Season Sweaters are lighter.

Front Pockets

Pockets at the front, so keys and dog treats come along without a bag.

All Yak

100% yak wool, which holds warmth on a crisp fall day.

Dry Feet

Socks that wick moisture. A day of walking ends with dry feet.

Soft Over A Tee

As fine as Grade A cashmere, so a T-shirt is all you need underneath.

Breathable

Breathes in the sun. A warm spell in the afternoon stays comfortable.

Knit In Brooklyn

3D-knit in one piece in Brooklyn, which means it is made in the USA start to finish.

Yak Wool For A Fall Day FAQ

Is A Yak Wool Cardigan Warm Enough For Fall?

Yes. Crimped yak fiber traps warm air and still breathes, so over a T-shirt it is enough for a day outdoors in the fall.

Are Yak Wool Socks Warm?

Yes. The same fiber holds warmth around your feet and lets moisture out, so they stay warm without getting damp.

What Do You Wear Apple Picking?

Layers, closed shoes for soft ground, and a sweater you do not mind pressing against a crate. The All-Season Cardigan in this post opens and closes as an orchard morning warms up into the afternoon.

Every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better.

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