Paul Maubert brings a global perspective and a disciplined yet creative approach to his role as Co-Founder and Cider Maker at Heavy Branch Cider. As a seasoned entrepreneur and retired Marine Corps Colonel, Paul leverages decades of leadership experience to oversee operations and production with precision, care, and a deep respect for craftsmanship.
His cider-making journey began in 1985, when he crafted his first sparkling cider at his father’s Connecticut winery, using a single apple variety. That early attempt—promising but imperfect—sparked a lifelong pursuit of refinement. During a four-year stint in England, Paul immersed himself in traditional European cider styles. Back in the U.S., disappointed by commercial offerings, he began experimenting with local apples, yeast strains, and fermentation methods inspired by his Norman heritage.
After retiring from the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2024, Paul and his wife, Cyd, turned their shared passion into purpose by founding Heavy Branch Cider. Grounded in old-world techniques and enhanced by the Mid-Atlantic Blue Ridge Mountains’ apple terroir, Paul’s approach to cider-making reflects his admiration for the great Champagne houses, where the art of blending yields something far greater than the sum of its parts.
Paul holds a B.S. in Applied Economics and Management from Université Paris-Dauphine and an MBA from INSEAD (The European Institute of Business Administration). When he’s not tending to tanks or blending apple varietals, you’ll find him fly fishing, woodworking, or savoring a well-earned glass of cider with his family.
His cider-making journey began in 1985, when he crafted his first sparkling cider at his father’s Connecticut winery, using a single apple variety. That early attempt—promising but imperfect—sparked a lifelong pursuit of refinement. During a four-year stint in England, Paul immersed himself in traditional European cider styles. Back in the U.S., disappointed by commercial offerings, he began experimenting with local apples, yeast strains, and fermentation methods inspired by his Norman heritage.
After retiring from the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2024, Paul and his wife, Cyd, turned their shared passion into purpose by founding Heavy Branch Cider. Grounded in old-world techniques and enhanced by the Mid-Atlantic Blue Ridge Mountains’ apple terroir, Paul’s approach to cider-making reflects his admiration for the great Champagne houses, where the art of blending yields something far greater than the sum of its parts.
Paul holds a B.S. in Applied Economics and Management from Université Paris-Dauphine and an MBA from INSEAD (The European Institute of Business Administration). When he’s not tending to tanks or blending apple varietals, you’ll find him fly fishing, woodworking, or savoring a well-earned glass of cider with his family.
