From branch to bottle: Must-see cideries in the Okanagan and Kamloops
Are you sick of wine yet? Don't worry, we won't make you admit it. As amazing as our wineries are in the Thompson-Okanagan, sometimes you just need a change.
Not to worry, we've got you covered for this summer with a list of local cideries.
KAMLOOPS
Woodward Cider Co.
Woodward Cider Co. is open 11 a.m. every day. They close at 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 p.m. on Fridays and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 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. Buy their cider on location at the farm or in these Kamloops liquor stores.
Cider Highlight: Hang Time — fruity cider with sweet and tart apples and a splash of natural B.C. peach juice.
KELOWNA
Upside Cider
Upside Cider is open from Sunday to Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition to their cider, they also serve pizza and charcuterie boards. Their patio is puppy friendly too!
Cider Highlight: Winter Banana — this cider is named after a type of crab apple, and is appreciated by the traditional cider drinker due to its good acidity and lots of tannin.
Scenic Road Cider Co.
Scenic Road Cider is open 11 to 5 p.m. Tuesday 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 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, featuring The Little TOKYO Ramen Trailer on Fridays and Saturdays. Their cider is made from 100% B.C. apples. Check your local liquor stores and bars to buy a bottle.
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 Friday 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 daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make their cider, they use European cider apple varieties sourced locally in Summerland.
Cider Highlight: Gose Style— a dry cider made with mostly bittersharp cider apples reminiscent of a traditional gose sour beer. Infused with orange zest, coriander and a dash of Himalayan salt.
NOMAD Cider
NOMAD Cider is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m., and open noon to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Their cider is made from dessert, cider and heritage apples grown in the Okanagan and Similkameen.
Cider Highlight: Strawberry — Local whole strawberries are conditioned on fully fermented cider for 2 months to make this berryful beverage. You may notice dry hints of citrus.
PENTICTON
Creek & Gully Cider
Creek and Gully is open Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Their cider is made from Naramata Apples and certified organic.
Cider Highlight: Flora — this dry cider, named for the Roman Goddess of Spring and Flowers, is a combination of seven varieties apples. It's their house cider, representing all of the apples grown on the home lot.
VERNON
Tony's Craft Cider Company
Posted by Tony’s Craft Cider Co. on Monday, April 20, 2020
Tony's Craft Cider Company is open at 11 a.m. daily, closing at 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday and Sunday. On Friday and Saturday they close at 8 p.m.
Father and daughter duo Tony and Tanya Nijjar own and operate the cidery, which opened in November but celebrated their big launch July 4. All the apples and cherries for their cider are grown on location in their 50-acre orchard.
Cider Highlight: Pearidise Perry — A sweet cider, with a unique flavour. This "perry" is made from a blend of pear varieties.
The BX Press Cidery and Orchard
The BX Press is open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. On Sundays they're open 11 a.m. to 6 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.
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