To produce a truly premium maple syrup, one must start with the best possible environment—the foundation from which everything grows. At Rocky Run, we are fortunate to harvest sap from a virgin, old-growth Sugar Maple forest nestled in the perfect conditions for syrup production.

Our sugar bush sits in a unique location, with soil and drainage conditions that surpass those found in many other maple forests. The land’s natural attributes, combined with the care we take in managing it, create an ideal environment for the trees to thrive.

What makes Rocky Run even more exceptional is its south-facing orientation, which provides ample sunlight throughout the day, contributing to a higher sugar content in the sap. This increased sugar concentration results in better-quality sap, and ultimately, a richer, more flavorful syrup.

We take pride in the stewardship of our land, ensuring it remains healthy, vibrant, and productive year-round under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Program. This responsible management ensures that our forest continues to thrive for generations to come, allowing us to craft syrup of the highest quality, year after year.

South-Facing Hillside: A south-facing slope gets more sunlight throughout the day, which helps the maple trees grow strong and healthy. Healthy trees tend to produce sap that is sweeter and higher in sugar content, which is key for superior maple syrup.

Perfect Drainage: Well-drained soils prevent water from pooling around the roots, which can lead to stress or poor growth in the trees. Healthy root systems mean the trees can draw up nutrients more efficiently, contributing to the quality of their sap.

Alkaline Soils: Alkaline soils often contain more calcium, magnesium, and other essential minerals, especially in areas with a limestone base. These minerals are absorbed by the trees and can subtly affect the flavor profile of the sap, adding a unique richness or complexity to the syrup.

Limestone Base: Limestone not only enhances alkalinity but also serves as a natural filter for groundwater. This can result in cleaner, mineral-rich water being taken up by the trees, improving the overall quality of the sap.

The roots of our family’s maple syrup tradition trace back to the mid-1930s when John Grieves Lind, a retired gold prospector and cement manufacturer, turned his hand to syrup production. With a tripod, a steel cauldron, and a hunk of lard for defoaming, he began boiling sap in the time-honored way, laying the foundation for a legacy that would span generations.

In the 1950s and ’60s, his sons carried the torch, introducing newer methods to improve efficiency while honoring the traditions they inherited. By the 1970s, a third generation stepped in, modernizing procedures and building upon their father’s innovations. The youngest grandson led the charge in the 1980s, installing pipelines and bringing in an evaporator, a transformative leap forward for the operation. Alongside his eldest brother, he continued upgrading and refining their processes, ensuring the family’s maple syrup would remain a benchmark of quality.

Today, the fourth and fifth generations proudly take part in this cherished tradition. Every “Sugaring Off” season, they come together to tap the trees, collect the sap, and boil it into liquid gold, sharing stories and passing down skills. Over 80 years later, the same love and care that started with John Grieves Lind still flow through every bottle of syrup, connecting past and present in a sweet, timeless legacy.

While having continuous access to the finest sap from our mature Sugar Maples is a great start, it doesn’t guarantee a superior finished product. The magic lies in how we handle every step of the process, with an unwavering focus on quality control and attention to detail.

We begin by carefully storing the crystal-clear sap in a cool environment, preserving its purity until it’s ready for the next phase. To ensure the cleanest sap possible, we rely on a state-of-the-art Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) system. This modern filtration process helps us remove excess water efficiently, preserving the rich, sugary essence of the sap.

However, at Rocky Run, we understand that perfecting the syrup requires more than just advanced technology. We’re meticulous about the sugar concentration we reach before the sap enters the cooking stage. By carefully controlling the “cut off” point, we allow the sap to retain its integrity, providing a longer and more natural journey through the evaporation process. This deliberate decision gives the sap ample time in the evaporator, where it undergoes the slow, natural reduction to maple syrup—allowing for the caramelization that adds depth and complexity to the flavor, and the “body building” that gives our syrup its rich texture.

One of the key factors in shaping the character of our syrup is our WOOD-FIRED evaporator. The flames not only provide the perfect heat but also infuse a subtle smokiness into the syrup, imparting a unique richness that distinguishes our product from others. It’s a blend of tradition, patience, and careful craftsmanship—allowing nature to work its magic, with just the right amount of guidance.

For over 80 years, Rocky Run has been a testament to the Lind family’s unwavering love and dedication in transforming one of nature’s purest fluids into a truly exceptional maple syrup. Every drop reflects our deep-rooted commitment to quality, and we proudly honor the past while continuing to build a legacy that will endure for generations. We remember where we came from, and we refuse to compromise on our values or the craft that has defined us.

Our production team’s dedication is the culmination of decades of experience, skill, and a shared passion for excellence. Each step in our process is driven by our commitment to purity and craftsmanship:

• We never blend our sap or syrup. What we produce is the product of our land, our trees, and our careful process—each batch as unique and unblemished as the next.
• What we produce is as pure as white snow. From sap to syrup, purity is our guiding principle. The clarity of our sap and the final product speak for themselves—nothing added, nothing taken away.
• Quality always wins over quantity. We believe that good things take time. We focus on perfecting every batch, never rushing or cutting corners to meet demands. The result is a syrup that’s rich, full of character, and truly representative of the care we put into every step.
• We love what we do! This passion flows through everything we do—from tapping the trees to boiling the sap, to the moment it reaches your table. It’s not just a job; it’s a way of life. We hope that each bottle of Rocky Run syrup brings a little piece of our family’s passion into your home.