Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse

Bucolic booze bliss awaits at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, overlooking the Pat Bay Highway and the Salish Sea. “We have the perfect climate for cider apples,” says host Tammy Roberts. “No harsh frost, lots of air movement from the ocean.” Founded by sixth-generation farmer Kristen Needham Jordan, this 10-acre farm cidery makes 20 different ciders, growing some 150 varieties of apples on site and crowdsourcing heritage apples Victoria-wide.

At a long communal table, I sample ciders while snacking on a smoked salmon dip and artisan cheeses. Kings and Spies (8% ABV) is crisp and Prosecco-like. I glean why it’s popular for toasts at the 100-plus weddings Sea Cider hosts annually. The delectable Rumrunner (12% ABV), aged for six months in rum-soaked bourbon barrels, boasts an oaky flavour, augmented with molasses. After a few sips, I feel like sailing away with Frodo to the Undying Lands.

Instead, we head 15 minutes south to the Fireside Grill to lunch on duck tacos and pork belly buns. And then we boldly forge westward to the most Tolkienesque stop on this tour.