Nationally Known. Kentucky Grown.

In the heart of Kentucky horse country, where limestone water runs deep and hospitality comes naturally, Wise Bird Cider Co. is quietly redefining what Southern cider can be.

Founded in Lexington in 2019, Wise Bird crafts small-batch, award-winning hard cider from real apples — never concentrate — with a deep respect for tradition, agriculture, and gathering around the table. Every pour begins with carefully selected fruit, sourced as locally and responsibly as possible, and ends in a glass made for lingering conversations among friends, family, and neighbors.

As Kentucky’s first cidery, Wise Bird has become more than a place to drink cider. It’s become a place to belong.

Our tasting room hums with the easy camaraderie of a front porch: scratch-made food coming hot from the kitchen, children playing between tables, dogs stretched out in the sun, and glasses raised to celebrate everything from Tuesday afternoons to life’s biggest milestones.

We believe good cider should be honest. Transparent. Rooted in real fruit and real community.

Always True to the Core.
Never from Concentrate.
Naturally Gluten-Free.

A Love Story Fermented in Appalachia

Wise Bird began, fittingly, with a love story.

Tim and Greta Wright (natives of Virginia and Georgia, respectively) fell in love over craft cider, Scrabble games, and long road trips exploring cideries, breweries, and wineries tucked throughout Appalachia and beyond. At the time, the two were living in Washington, D.C., working demanding jobs and spending more time in traffic than at home. Cider-making started as an evening hobby — then quickly became an obsession.

Family vacations turned into cider pilgrimages. One book on fermentation became a shelf full. One cabinet of equipment became an entire kitchen overtaken by carboys, tubing, and apples.

Then came the medals.

After earning Silver and Bronze honors at GLINTCAP — the world’s largest cider competition — in the amateur division, the Wrights decided to gamble on a different kind of life. They sold their home, packed up their newborn son Noah, and moved to Kentucky with a dream of building something rooted in family, agriculture, and community. Their second son, Asa, arrived just two months before Wise Bird opened its doors on June 5, 2019.

What began as a leap of faith has since become one of the South’s most celebrated cider destinations.

CIDERY HOURS & LOCATION:

4-10 PM MONDAY - THURSDAY | 12 NOON - 11PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY |12 NOON - 9PM SUNDAY

1170 Manchester St, Ste 140, Lexington, Kentucky 40508

LITTLE FORK HOURS & LOCATION:

4-9 MONDAY - THURSDAY | 12-9 FRIDAY - SUNDAY

1170 Manchester St, Ste 140, Lexington, Kentucky 40508

Wise Bird Cider Co.’s restaurant, Little Fork, offers a variety of both hand-held meals and fork-friendly bites with an emphasis on providing gluten-free items as well as vegetarian and vegan fare. We turn fresh ingredients into memorable meals that can be enjoyed by all!

Our current menu features a lovely mix of shareables, entrees, kid-friendly meals, and fresh sides! Our offerings include mainstays like our well-loved smash burger and french fries, a cider-brined bratwurst with some German flare, an adult grilled cheese featuring Sunrise Bakery sourdough and an oh-so-melty blend of cheeses, and a fresh Falafel Bowl that is perfect for vegans and omnivores alike!

Little Fork offers on-site catering for private events held at Wise Bird, with seasonal offerings that are just as beautiful as they are delicious. From small bites to stacked sandwiches and hearty salads, as well as hand-arranged charcuterie boards and hummus plates, you’re in good hands when you choose Little Fork as your catering go-to.

Our mission is to provide delicious, easy-on-your-wallet dishes that pair with our award-winning ciders. We prioritize sourcing ingredients from local organizations such as Black Soil KY, aiming for that farm-to-table dining experience. Wise Bird Cider in Lexington’s Distillery District and is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday as well as lunch service Friday through Sunday.

MENU

SHAREABLES

PARMESAN GARLIC AIOLI FRIES | VEG | GF | 7. Crispy fries tossed in roasted garlic butter and aged Parmesan, finished with a drizzle of house-made garlic aioli.

FRIED BASKET | VEG | GF | 8. A gluten-free golden trio of pickles, onion rings, and banana peppers — deliciously crisp and served alongside house-made spicy ranch for dipping.

BASKET OF HAND-CUT FRIES | GF | 6. Seasoned and crispy. Simple. Tasty.

SALAD

WISE BIRD WEDGE | VEG available | GF | 13 - SIDE WEDGE | 6. Chilled iceberg wedges blanketed with feta cheese crumbles, crispy bacon, vine tomatoes, and snipped chive — drizzled with our signature spicy house ranch. + Add chicken | 6

MAINS

HOT HONEY CHICKEN TENDERS | GF | 13. Hand Breaded Chicken Tenders tossed in House-made Hot Honey and served with House-made Ranch (gf)

SMASH BURGER | GF AVAILABLE | 13. Two thin-pressed beef patties smashed to a lacey, caramelized crust on a flat-top, stacked with American cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and house smash sauce. BEST OF LEX 2025 Award. + Add Parmesan Garlic Aioli Fries | 5 + Add Garlic Aioli | 2 + Add Bacon | 3

CIDER-BRINED BRATWURST | 11. Handcrafted bratwurst soaked in house cider brine, fried to a snappy char, and served on a bun with spicy banana-pepper and mustard sauce with chopped Granny Smith apples.

ADULT GRILLED CHEESE | VEG | GF available | 9. Crispy Toasted Local Sourdough Bread sandwiching a blend of Sharp Cheddar, Provolone, and Mozzarella for the ultimate comfort bite.

KIDS

CHEESEBURGER | GF available | 9. American cheese on toasted sourdough, served with fries.

FRIED CHICKEN STRIPS | GF | 9. Breaded and fried chicken cut into strips, served with fries (can be grilled if preferred).

GRILLED CHEESE | VEG | GF AVAIL | 9. American cheese on Sourdough from Sunrise Bakery, served with fries.

DESSERTS

MADI’S APPLE CHIPS | V | GF | 6. Thinly Sliced Apples soaked in our Pommeau and lightly battered & fried.

JASMINE’S DEEP FRIED OREOS | V | GF| 7. GF Deep Fried Oreos with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.