From branch to bottle: Must-see cideries from the Thompson-Okanagan
Are you sick of wine yet? Don't worry, we won't make you admit it. As amazing as our Okanagan wineries are, sometimes you just need a change.
Not to worry, we've got you covered for summer weekend plans with this list of local Okanagan cideries.
KELOWNA
Scenic Road Cider Co.
Scenic Road Cider is open 11 to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. They source their apples right in their own backyard, grown on their own orchard and their neighbours'.
Cider Highlight: Razz — a mix of Okanagan apples and Fraser Valley raspberries.
WEST KELOWNA
Truck '59 Ciderhouse
Truck ’59 is open Monday to Wednesday 11 to 5 p.m. and Thursday to Sunday from 11 to 7 p.m., with rotating food trucks Thurs-Sun. Their cider is made from 100% B.C. apples.
Cider Highlight: Blackberry Bourbon — a blend of cider apples slow-fermented, aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels, then infused with B.C. blackberries.
SUMMERLAND
Dominion Cider Co.
The Dominion Cider Co. is open Thursday to Monday from 11 to 5 p.m. Their cider is made from heirloom cider apples, crab and dessert apples from their orchards in Summerland.
Cider Highlight: Lost Garden Rhubarb — rhubarb infused apple cider.
Summerland Heritage Cider Company
The Summerland Heritage Cider Company is open Mondays 11 to 4 p.m., Friday 2 to 5 p.m. and weekends 11 to 5 p.m. To make their cider, they use European cider apple varieties sourced locally in Summerland.
Cider Highlight: Woodland Hopped — dry cider with floral aroma from the hops and delicate citrus and berry flavours.
NOMAD Cider
NOMAD Cider is open 12 to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, plus holiday Mondays. Their cider is made from dessert, cider and heritage apples grown in the Okanagan and Similkameen.
Cider Highlight: Pinot Noir Barrel — Dry with hints of vanilla, toffee, cherry and cassis. Fermented then aged in oak barrels previously filled with Pinot Noir.
KAMLOOPS
Woodward Cider Co.
Woodward Cider Co. is open weekends and holidays 10 to 5 p.m. The three Woodward brothers Ben, Adam and Tim returned to their home farm after each completing engineering degrees to open their cider company. Their cider is made in small batches with B.C. apples and made in Kamloops.
Cider Highlight: Blue Tractor — named after the iconic blue tractor on the family farm, this cider is crisp and dry with a bright acidity.
VERNON
The BX Press Cidery and Orchard
The BX Press is open 7 days a week from 10 to 5 p.m. Their ciders are made with over 24 varieties of apples grown on location in Vernon.
Cider Highlight: The Hostler — named after the skilled horsemen who cared for the stagecoach horses back in the day, this cider is made with fruity dessert apples Golden Delicious, Spartan, MacIntosh, Gala and Ambrosia with a small addition of crabapple. Fresh and fruity!
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