American Cider Association Welcomes 12 New Certified Pommeliers™ Following CiderCon® 2026

The American Cider Association (ACA) proudly announces the induction of twelve new Certified Pommeliers™ following examinations held at CiderCon® 2026 in Providence, RI, marking a continued expansion of global expertise in cider.



The newly minted Certified Pommeliers™ are: Rhyan Cockrell Co-owner of Cockrell Cider Farm, Sean Connolly Cellar Assistant at Bauman’s Cider Company, cider enthusiast Codie Jennison, Jill Nathanson, Rachael Picard, and Jane Ignarri in Product Development at Boston Beer, Peter Mitsch Cidermaker at White Crow Cider Company, Jamie Webb Brand Designer at Switchcraft Studio, Manon Gros Project Specialist at Brooklyn Cider House, Josue Herrada Cook at Edge Restaurant, Tasmine (Tas) Fraser Content Creator @girlwithaciderreview, and Viktor Nikitin Executive Supervisor at I Love Cider (Russia).

More About the Certified Cider Professional™ Program

The Certified Cider Professional™ program is designed to educate those on the front lines of cider sales, making it one of the most comprehensive cider appreciation programs for food and beverage professionals worldwide.

The program begins with the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ (CCG) designation, which builds a strong foundation in cider knowledge. The Level 2 Certified Pommelier™ (CP) designation advances that learning, requiring candidates to think critically and demonstrate a deeper understanding of cider production, styles, and sensory analysis.

To ensure accessibility, the ACA developed a comprehensive textbook, first released in 2023 and updated in 2024 to reflect a more global perspective and emerging categories such as low and no-alcohol cider. Additional resources include the Certified Cider Professional™ YouTube Channel, a global community of Licensed Educators, robust educational programming for any level of engagement, and an active international community.

Those interested in pursuing the Certified Pommelier™ designation can find upcoming exam opportunities, study resources, and program details here: Certified Cider Professional™ Program

Contact the ACA’s Director of Education, Jennie Dorsey, for more information about global cider education and access to Certified Cider Professional™ programming near you. 

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