True Latgalian Apple Cider from Malnava Manor

Our Story
The cider is produced in the historic distillery of Malnava Manor, dating back to 1827. In manor times, this distillery produced the traditional Latgalian strong drink, šmakovka.

Apples
The apples for the cider are harvested in the manor’s old orchard.

Cider
They produce both dry and semi-sweet cider under the name “Malnovys Uobuļu Sidrs,” as well as apple brandy (calvados), and the traditional šmakovka.

For Visitors
Guided tours are available, where visitors can discover how true, traditional Latgalian šmakovka is crafted, along with cider made from local apples. The tours include tastings with snacks. Malnava Manor is notable for having served as the headquarters for the Wehrmacht’s Army Group North during World War II, visited by Adolf Hitler on 21 July 1941. Two reinforced concrete bunkers in the manor park mark the location of this historic meeting.

Where to Buy
The drinks can be purchased on-site.

The blacksmith’s shop is found at the medieval Cēsis Castle. You can examine, order and purchase reproductions of ancient jewellery, watch the craftsman at work, hear a very attractive story about the history of jewellery-making, and try your own hand at the craft.

The farm is open to visitors all year round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and summer.  The farm offers 45-minute lectures about plants, after which there is a 30-minute tour of local plants outdoors.

The farmwoman grows vegetables and fruits to produce tasty preserves, syrups, jams, chutneys and dried fruit. You can taste and purchase the products, go on a tour of an escargot farm, and taste escargots cooked in the Burgundy style. Children’s camps can be organised.

The restaurant is on the seashore with a wonderful view of Jūrmala. The grill terrace is a stylised ship wheel. The restaurant partners with local farmers and fishermen.

Latvian cuisine: Cold beet soup, fish soup, smoked eel with country cream, duck livers, cream of potato soup with chanterelles, roast pike-perch, venison with mustard sauce.

Kafejnīca "Stieres" atrodas Jūrmalas – Kolkas ceļa (P 131) malā – kempinga „Stieres” teritorijā. Piedāvā mājas virtuvi visām ēdienreizēm. Maltīti gatavo no Latvijas zemnieku audzētiem dārzeņiem, salātiem, zaļumiem. Zivju ēdieni ir no vietējo zvejniecības uzņēmumu ķertā vai pārstrādātā loma. Piedāvā dažādu svinību galdu klāšanu.

Latviešu virtuve: Aukstā zupa, siļķe ar kartupeļiem un biezpienu, kartupeļu un plānās pankūkas, rosols, vietējo zemeņu zupa.

A Latvian traditional farm with a herd of some 150 goats, offering tours of the farm and cheese for sale.  They offer also home-made ice-cream from the goat milk and a soup made on open-fire. Also latvian traditional sauna is available. The products can also be bought at the little market in Straupe.

The potters engage in traditional pottery from various eras, and they also study ancient forms, materials and methods which ancestors centuries ago put to use. You can tour the facility, examine the kiln, work with clay, purchase ceramics products, and inspect a collection of ancient tools and ceramics. You are invited to attend the opening of the kiln, as well.

The breeding of Californian red snails and production of bio-humus. You are offered a short excursion around the production, information about breeding snails and the production of bio-humus.

The Lazdiņi farm is one of the most modern farms in Latvia, located in the Krimūni Parish in the north-western part of the Zemgale lowlands.  The farm focuses on grain farming (~1,100 ha), processing and storage.  Owner Juris Lazdiņš is the chairman of the largest non-governmental organisations in the field of agriculture, and by contacting him in advance, agriculture experts and future experts can go there to exchange experiences.  The farm is surrounded by the typical landscape of the Zemgale lowlands.