A Different Pour

PURE CRAFT. ZERO PRETENSE.

Everything we make is handcrafted in small batches right here in Hye, Texas. Real ingredients. No shortcuts. No syrupy finishes.

We don’t fit the cider stereotype. Hye Cider sits in its own lane — crisp, layered, and always a little unexpected.

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map of Hye Cider Company's locations

HYE CIDER HISTORY

The long road from a barn in Hye to where we are today.
2017
THE SPARK

Hye Cider Company is born. The original partners refurbish an old barn in Hye, TX, and Dom joins during construction — making the daily drive from Austin because he believes in what this could become.

APRIL 2018
OPENING DAY

The tasting room opens its doors. The Hill Country welcomes something new, business builds quickly, and the first 18 months set a strong foundation for what Hye Cider can be.

2020 - 2021
A TURNING POINT

The world shifts. COVID, inflation, and reduced tourism challenge the business, but Dom remains steady. While others move on, he continues showing up — choosing commitment over convenience.

2021
THE NEXT CHAPTER

Dom steps fully into leadership, becoming General Manager and eventually the sole owner. He takes on production, deliveries, festivals, H-E-B demos, and the day-to-day operations with unwavering dedication.

2022
A REINVENTION

When rent doubles at the original location, Dom pivots quickly, moving Hye Cider Company to the Texas Wine Collective. The brand stays alive on the 290 Wine Trail, meeting new guests and keeping momentum going.

2024
Sub Label
COMING HOME

Silver Dollar Winery extends a strategic alliance, and Hye Cider moves across the highway (just 100 yards) from where it all started.

TODAY
STRONGER THAN EVER

Dom runs the tasting room six days a week, crafts every batch, handles deliveries and H-E-B restocks, and grows the brand bottle by bottle. Loyal fans, supportive neighbors, and curious newcomers fuel the vibrant comeback — and the story is still unfolding.

photo of Hye Cider Company owner, Dom Ransay, bottling hard cider

The Man Behind the Bar, The Man Behind It All, “The Numbers Guy”: Dom Ransay

Dom earned his Master’s in Economics and Finance from SUNY Binghamton. He was born in Martinique, raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and after visiting all 50 states, he chose Texas and became a proud U.S. citizen.

Service has always been central to him, having volunteered with Junior Achievement, Meals on Wheels, the United Way, and many local efforts.

Today his focus is on growing the Hye Cider Company. As the sole remaining partner, he exudes financial discipline, resilience, and steadiness. The past eight years have tested him and changed him, and he considers them among the most meaningful of his life.

In early 2025, Dom brought Hye Cider Company back to Hye, TX, returning it to the place where the journey began in 2017. Keeping the business alive through market pressure, legal challenges, and the steep learning curve of cidermaking required more than strategy. It demanded faith, and it proved to be the anchor that carried him through.

Dom speaks French, Spanish, and Creole, and wishes he spoke Portuguese.

Favorite book: Integrity by Dr. Henry Cloud.

Favorite movie: The Godfather.

Rolling Stoner for life. Dallas Cowboys lifer.

Hero: Jesus.

OUR CRAFTING PROCESS

Step 1

THE IDEA

Every batch starts with a spark — a flavor concept, a tropical twist Dom is chasing, a note from market research, or a light-bulb moment that feels worth exploring.

Step 2

TEST BATCH

We build the base in five-gallon test jars using water, honey, apple juice, and any ingredients needed for the concept. This small scale lets us understand how each element behaves.

Step 3

THE A,B,C's

We run A, B, and C versions of the same idea, adjusting ingredient types and quantities to see how each shift affects flavor, aroma, and structure. These tests shape the recipe.

Step 4

REFINE

We taste, tweak, and refine until the formula is right. Once locked in, we scale the recipe up to a 310-gallon batch, adjusting calculations so the final product stays true to the test version.

OUR COMMITEMENT TO QUALITY

At Hye Cider, we keep things real. Every batch is made with ingredients you can pronounce — apples, Fain’s Hill Country honey, real fruits, herbs, teas, and spices. No flavorings. No syrups. No shortcuts.

Working with whole ingredients gives each cyser its depth and character. When we say Earl Grey, it’s Earl Grey tea. When we say ginger, it’s ginger. It’s the only way we’re interested in doing it.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

Amanda Collinsworth
Do not miss! Had a great tasting with Dom and enjoyed every minute and every cider. Very unique and wonderful ciders, can’t recommend enough!
Samantha Kreamer
This place is amazing!!! Such a hidden gem so close to Fredricksburg. Cyser’s are my new favorite drink. Dom is absolutely amazing!! He is so personable and is doing amazing things with his ciders. Our favorites were the Hye Peach and the Hye Heaven!! Definitely coming back again!
Caleb Fritz
I’ve visited Hye Cider a couple of times when visiting Fredericksburg and it’s such a great place to stop! The varieties of cyser are especially nice and I look forward to visiting more!
Amy Hemme
Go and see Dom to get a great tasting experience. The ciders and cysers are unique and different than you would get anywhere else. A must stop!
Zoe Cannon
Dom greeted us immediately at treated us like family! The ciders and cysers were refreshing, creative and delicious. We had a great time hanging out with Dom, too! Adorable place too, can’t wait to come back when there’s live music playing outside. We ended up taking home bottles of the Hops and Mimosa.
Elena Rodriguez
Really enjoyed my visit to Hye Cider. Dom the owner is nice, friendly and welcoming. I was really impressed by each of the cider flavors I tried. They were all tasty, balanced and not overly sweet or sour like ciders can sometimes be. The tasting was fun because you get to try the different ciders available and figure out your favorites. It’s also fun to learn about the inspiration for each flavor. Highly recommend stopping by and trying these ciders.
Michael George
Amazing service got to taste every cider before buying and great service. Got and ask for Dom He explained every cider to us in detail and was took his time helping us.
Amy Offutt
We stopped by on our way out of Fredricksburg because I love ciders. Dom was very personable and had great customer service. His location has changed and does not look like the pictures in the reviews anymore so don't think you are in the wrong spot, the google address took us right to him! The cider was great and the atmosphere was as well! We will stop by on our next time through!

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