Do you appreciate a good cider? Get ready to savor stellar ciders from Washington's phenomenal cider producers. With its rolling hills blanketed in apple orchards and farmland, Washington harbors a burgeoning cider scene that demands to be explored. From funky farmhouse styles to crisp, fruit-forward blends, the leading cideries of this region are crafting world-class beverages from locally grown apples and pears.
Whether you're planning a weekend of cider tastings or looking for the inside scoop on must-visit spots, our guide will inspire you to explore the scenic rural beauty and flourishing cider culture of Washington State!
1. Finnriver Farm & Cidery
Nestled in the pastoral Chimacum Valley near Port Townsend, Finnriver Farm & Cidery pours its soul into producing award-winning organic hard ciders. This family farm uses home-grown apples and organic farming methods in processing their wines. Finnriver's tasting room emanates cozy rustic vibes with worn wood floors and comfy leather chairs. During your tasting, you'll sample complex and nuanced ciders like their dry-hopped Black Currant and sparkling Rosé.
Aside from sipping ciders, you can also enjoy wood-fired pizza fresh from the outdoor oven paired perfectly with your pour. On weekends, live music from local performers resonates through the trees. For a complete farm experience, join a walking tour of Finnriver's orchards and production facility to observe cider making firsthand. With an ever-rotating tap list, you'll discover new favorite ciders on each visit.
2. Eaglemount Wine & Cider
Eaglemount Wine & Cider is in Port Townsend, Washington. They started making hard cider in 2006 on their old homestead that has been around since 1883. They cultivate heirloom cider apples from trees planted over a century ago. The heritage apples lend depth and character to Eaglemount's ciders and fortified honey wines, or meads.
Inside the tasting room, you can sample a variety of ciders, ranging from dry to sweet, like the Raspberry Cider that is bursting with jammy, berry flavor. For something adventurous, sip Eaglemount's flagship mead made with wildflower honey and aged in French oak.
Out on the homestead, you'll find goats, chickens, bunnies and a friendly farm dog roaming around. Stop by on a weekend and you may get to cuddle some baby goats! With new creations always in the works, Eaglemount offers tastes as innovative as they are steeped in tradition.
3. Wind Rose Cellars
Tucked away in downtown Sequim, Wind Rose Cellars sources grapes from premiere Eastern Washington vineyards to handcraft their small-batch boutique wines. Their focus is on Italian varietals like Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, which are vinified in a style that honors Old World tradition while allowing Washington's terroir to shine through. The tasting room radiates Tuscan farmhouse charm with exposed wood beams, a cozy seating and barrels of aging Chianti. For white wines, their Pinot Grigio is filled with flavors of stone fruits like peach and nectarine, complemented by a crisp acidity and hints of mineral notes.
While primarily a winery, Wind Rose Cellars also produces a selection of lively hard ciders utilizing heirloom apples from local Sequim orchards. Cider offerings range from the flagship dry-hopped Hopped Up Cider to seasonal infusions like their Cranberry Cider with tart cranberry mixed with sweet apples. The cider provides a refreshing change of pace between flights of estate Sangiovese. Outside, the patio offers peeks of their garden where they grow lavender and grape vines.
4. Olympic Cellars
For over 30 years, Olympic Cellars has pioneered artisan winemaking on Washington's scenic Olympic Peninsula. This woman-owned winery sustains a 120-acre estate vineyard using organic practices. Their vineyard produces grapes ideally suited to cool climate white wines like Madeleine Angevine with citrus blossom aromas.
In addition to estate wines, Olympic Cellars sources apples from independent orchards across the Olympic Peninsula to produce small-batch hard ciders. Their flagship Discovery Bay Dry Cider balances tart apple and tannic flavors for a clean, refreshing finish. For those with a sweet tooth, their Plum Cider is brimming with ripe plum and vanilla flavors.
Visitors can taste these ciders alongside the winery's modern tasting room that provide breathtaking panoramic views overlooking the estate's rolling vineyards with the Olympic Mountains as a stunning backdrop.
5. Harbinger Winery
Located in the heart of Port Angeles, Harbinger Winery brings European inspired elegance and tradition to Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Owned by husband-and-wife team Steve and Jograce Harper, Harbinger specializes in handcrafting small-lot estate wines.
The intimate tasting room offers a cozy, living room vibe with a crackling fireplace and walls lined with wine barrels. During your seated tasting, you'll sample wines like their lush Pinot Gris and food-friendly Chardonnay. For drier wines, try their Pinot Noir Rosé with aromas of fresh strawberries and melon.
Harbinger also utilizes regional apples to produce crisp hard ciders. Their flagship Arrowhead Dry Cider offers lightly sweet flavors of Fuji apples, while special releases like Cherry Cider deliver a fruit-forward tart twist.
Aside from wines and beverages, you can enjoy light fare on Harbinger's patio under swaying vines. With live music weekends and rotating art displays, Harbinger provides a warm welcome for wine and cider fans.
A Bounty of Local Flavors Awaits
Washington state has become a premier cider destination, with excellent cideries across different regions. From the coastal Olympic Peninsula to central Washington's wine country, cider producers are crafting fantastic hard ciders using locally-produced apples.
On the Olympic Peninsula, cideries like Finnriver Farm, Eaglemount Cider, and Olympic Cellars source apples from their farm-grown orchards. The cool ocean climate gives their ciders balanced tartness and intricate flavors.
In central Washington, cider makers such as Rootwood Cider and Wasteelhead Cider complement the coastal ciders. The hotter, drier climate helps the apples develop rich concentrated tastes.
Whether along the coast or inland, Washington's top cideries hand make small-batch ciders that capture the essence of each region. Taking advantage of the different climates allows cider apples that are ideally suited to each area to thrive. From drier hopped ciders to rose ciders blended with wine grapes, cider makers are innovating while respecting tradition.
With so many world-class beverage makers to explore, you'll want to stay right in the heart of it all. Washington Inns provides cozy accommodations situated within Washington Wine Country's lush vineyards and rolling hills. Book your relaxing getaway today to fully immerse yourself in the region's flourishing cider culture and enjoy convenient access to the top cideries and wineries that define this agricultural haven. With welcoming hospitality, charming scenery and cider samples galore, Washington Inns ensures your visit delivers an unforgettable experience.
