Osoyoos and the South Okanagan is one of BC’s major sources of apples, which has ultimately made the area ideally suited to dabble in the sweet world of cider.
Apple-picking season is also fully upon us, meaning fresh, juicy BC apples are becoming available by the bushel.
Known for outstanding, locally-grown products, many South Okanagan farmers are testing out the cider game, producing irresistible beverages from apples and other fruits.
We’ve pulled together a Cider Trail at 8 locations around the Osoyoos region for apple lovers to explore — all of them undoubtedly worthy of a stop this fall season.
Bordertown Estate Winery
Bordertown Estate Winery is located right on the fringe of the heart of Osoyoos and makes their well-recognized Hard Pressed Cider.
Hard Pressed uses heritage apple varieties, each contributing in its own special way to a cider that’s refreshingly dry, with fleshy apple fruit.
You truly would be hard-pressed to find a better cider!
To find this delicious product, head to 9140 92nd Avenue, Osoyoos, BC.
Orchard Hill Estate Cidery
Orchard Hill Estate Cidery has been providing excellent hand-crafted premium apple cider since 2008.
The orchard is situated on a beautiful bench, where the sun frames the property from early in the morning till late in the evening. The orchard produces 14 acres of high-density and quality fruit-bearing trees.
The cidery also does not use any special apples, which means their product only boasts the flavours of pure Okanagan apples.
They’re located on the Golden Mile Bench, between Oliver & Osoyoos at 3480 Fruitvale Way, Oliver.
Maverick Cider Co.
Maverick Cider Co. uses a combination of art, science, and taste to craft delicious, quality apple and blush flavours.
The hand-crafted philosophy at The Maverick Cider Co. creates an authentic, crisp, dry cider — a pure expression of this unique corner of the world.
Maverick has also just recently released its cider products in bottles, which are available for purchase online!
Maverick can be found at 3974 BC-Hwy. 97, Oliver.
Howling Moon Craft Cider
Inspired by the steampunk approach of linking art and science, the owners of Howling Moon Craft Cider use traditional cidermaking techniques and heirloom variety apples, alongside modern technology.
They farm their orchards the old-fashioned way, fermenting apples with other fruits and botanicals to produce innovative brews for cider fans.
Howling Moon Cider can be found at 7952 Highway 97, Oliver.
Twisted Hills Craft Cidery
“We believe that the quality of cider will never surpass the quality of the apples used to make it.”
This is the pure and simple philosophy at Twisted Hills Craft Cidery, which also describes itself as “a little bit twisted.”
Inspired by romance and a twist of fate, Twisted Hills’ sparkling apple cider is crafted in Cawston using both French and English apples.
Their tasting room is sure to twist heads as you drive by, with a unique dome-shaped building located right along the highway!
Find Twisted Hills at 2070 BC-3, Cawston.
Forbidden Fruit Winery
The winery’s name, Forbidden Fruit, is a reflection of both the Story of Creation and the new “Garden of Eden”.
Like Eve in the garden, once tasted, new empowerment is realized, according to the winery.
Forbidden Fruit uses apples, pears and peaches to create some delectable beverages!
You can locate Forbidden Fruit Winery at 620 Sumac Road, Cawston.
Untangled Cider
After 17 years of farming in Cawston, and enjoying making their own beverages, the owners of Untangled Cider decided to start a new project- create a cidery!
After receiving a license back in 2019, they dove right into the cider space, creating an absolutely wonderful spectrum of products that are a must-try this fall.
From Black Plum to Cherry to Hopped Apricot to Lavender Nectarine, buckle up your taste buds and let your cidey sense tingle.
Untangled is located at 625 MacKenzie Rd, Cawston.
Rustic Roots Winery
Located in the heart of Cawston, Rustic Roots Winery is celebrating five generations of family farming.
The Rustic Roots Logo depicts the Snow Apple (Fameuse) tree that was planted in 1916 by Harker’s Organic’s second generation — a tree that still stands on the farm today.
Their ciders come in both bottles and cans and offer flavours such as snow apple, peach apricot and apple rhubarb crisp.
Rustic Roots Winery can be found at 2238 Hwy. 3 Cawston.
