Matthew Gusmer’s family has been growing apples, pressing cider, and making their now-famous cider doughnuts at Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery in York, South Carolina since 1987. What started as a family pastime using a hand-crank cider press has grown into one of the York County area’s most beloved fall destinations.

Today, Matthew joins the podcast to share what it’s like to carry forward a multigenerational business rooted in tradition while embracing the growing world of agritourism. We talk about hard cider, U-pick operations, seasonal marketing challenges, and what it means to build an experience—not just a farm stand—that keeps people coming back year after year.

We also dive into Windy Hill’s participation in the York County Ag + Art Tour—how it brings new visitors to the orchard, builds community connection, and gives folks a behind-the-scenes look at how apples and cider come to life in the South Carolina Upstate.

This episode is brought to by Visit York County.