Each spring, Ontario’s not just blushing with politeness- it’s outright flirting with visitors, thanks to those gorgeous apple blossoms that paint bright pink splotches of fragrant goodness across the province.
This year, dodge the pedal peepers that flock to local parks by the hundreds. Rather, point your wheels toward some of the province’s best apple-growing regions and discover Ontario cideries bursting with life and flavour.
Not sure where to start? We recommend Northumberland or Durham. Heck, they’re under 90 minutes apart. You could totally make this into your next vacation.
Want to skip ahead? No problem.
Spring into Durham Region’s Cider Country
Northeast of Toronto, Durham Region is a hub for beautiful ciders crafted with care. From crisp, dry little numbers to full-bodied ones with spice-forward notes, you’re in for a real treat!
Here are four spots you shouldn’t miss out on! You can follow them in this order (or the reverse) to enjoy! From one end to the other is only 34 mins so take your time! Just make sure you have a designated driver.
We’ve added a perfect pairing to go with each one including things to do nearby!
Slabtown Cider
Where: 4559 Concession 6, Uxbridge, ON. (View Map)
Slabtown Cider sits upon 90 acres of forest, trails and farmland just south of Uxbridge on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Their unique dedication to creating one of Canada’s largest orchards specializing in heritage heirloom apple varieties is setting the farm and its ciders apart.
On top of their dedication to fostering heritage apple varieties, Slabtown is also dedicated to local procurement of ingredients beyond the mighty apples that give their ciders amazing flavour profiles, earning them a Feast On® certification.
So, what do you need to try?
We recommend starting with their flagship Founders’ Dry for a crisp, dry cider with a hint of lemon zest and then moving into more adventurous ones like their Honey Habenero made with honey from local 3 Boyz Bees and habanero peppers from Grattons Greatest.
This spring, be sure not to leave without trying their Sweet Maple Heat. It’s made with real maple syrup from Hidden Maples and is only available during maple season so be sure to hurry!
Finally, head into their on-site restaurant for a bite to eat. With a large indoor area as well as a sprawling patio, it’s a perfect way to take in the beauty of the orchard! Tasty pizzas, beet salad and smash burgers await!
Perfect Pairing
Wondering what to do nearby? Check out these perfect pairings!
- Check out one of Uxbridge’s many trails and find out why it’s considered the Trail Capital of Canada. Trail Hub Ltd. offers up 240km of trails for biking, hiking, disc golf and more. Check out The Nest on site for a bite and their events calendar to see what’s going on during your visit.
- Visit Pingle’s Farm Market to discover their bakery, year-round market and on-farm events. In particular, check out their Chef in the Bush event series which has dates in April, May and June! (28 mins away)
Banjo Cider
Where: 614 Sandford Rd, Uxbridge, ON. (View Map)
Also in Uxbridge and just an 11-minute drive from Slabtown, Banjo Cider keeps things on the dry end of the spectrum with organic apples. This cozy stop is a must-stop in our eyes as it is busting with rural charm and some pretty killer cider.
Their Revival Cider is the driest of all on deck and is well known in the cider world whereas their Sunny variety offers a non-alc sparkling option and their Maud provides an often-hard-to-find dry raspberry-infused cider named after Lucy Maud Montgomery who penned much of Anne of Green Gables just around the corner from the cidery.
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Possibly the coolest cider they have though, is the Citizen’s Cider. This tasty little number invites folks from the community to bring in their no-spray apples, quince, crab apples and pears they pick to the cidery by the bushel. They are then pressed and blended with others’ bushels and made into a pretty kick-ass cider.
On warmer days, grab a seat and a little bit to nosh on the nearby patio and during colder temps, check out their communal fire or book your own pit and grab some s’more packs from inside!
Perfect Pairing
- Have a delightful lunch or dinner at the Feast On® certified Urban Pantry
- After enjoying or grabbing a Maud Cider to go, visit her house (opens in June)
- Visit Little Thief Bakery and indulge in their drunken maple fritters for an unforgettable taste of place!
Applewood Farm & Winery (North of Port Perry)
Where: 2055 Saintfield Rd, Sunderland, ON. (View Map)
To note: This spot opens for the season on May 4th!
Oh, the allure of apples! But wait, there’s more fermenting on this bountiful farm: a trifecta of cider, wine, and mead. Now, keep your orchard goggles on—we’re diving into the cidery delights, after all!
Nab yourself a can of the fan-fave crab apple and pear cider for that quintessential summer buzz, or for the daring palates, the iced cider is a real treat to grab a bottle of before you go.
Post up on the patio (there’s coverage for rainy days) and look out on the neighbouring farm field for a perfect spring view.
If you’re planning ahead to strawberry season, visit when pick-your-own is in full swing and add that on to your trip planning musts! Last year they even rolled out some seasonal ciders like strawberry cider and rhubarb cider- yum. So prep your picking baskets and your pint glasses- it’s going to a deliciously fruity ride.
Perfect Pairing
- If you’re coming on a Saturday, check out the nearby Port Perry’s Farmers’ Market (12 mins away) for tasty baked goods, local honey and produce, spirits and more. The market starts May 11th!
- Fancy a little treasure hunting? Check out Redman’s Antique Barn (15 mins away) for vintage finds. You never know what you might come across!
Two Blokes Cider
Where: 21300 Simcoe St, Seagrave, ON. (View Map)
Next up on the cider extravaganza is a visit to Two Blokes Cider. This old-world cidery is all about twisting heritage and modern flavours into delicious new ciders.
Founded by (you guessed it), two blokes who bonded over the UK and cider way back in 2011, Two Blokes is a testament to the fact that cider connects people. SO, what cider do we think you should connect with?
The Hex Press is their traditional pub cider and is a great entry cider. Think you’d like to go a little further with your palette? We were hoping you’d say that! Check out the Golden Mile made with 100% Durham Region Golden Russet apples and sweetened just a little bit with honey right from their orchards.
Alternatively, the Ida Spy may have you thinking of unoaked chardonnays with its bright mineral finish, highlighting the flavours of two kick-ass apples: the Northern Spy and Ida Red.
Finally, you can’t leave without trying the Apple Pie Barrel Aged Cyser- a mead-cider hybrid that is aged in old bourbon barrels. Spoiler alert: this also makes a great gift for whoever you forgot to invite on this little cider outing.
Grab a cider in the taproom and pair it up with a charcuterie board for maximum indulgence.
Perfect Pairings:
- Drop a line in Lake Scugog or visit downtown Port Perry to visit Old Flame Brewery or have some lunch at Marwan’s Global Bistro”
- If you’re in town on a Saturday (or you book in advance) between April and June, visit Lavender Blu to shop their luscious lavender products. Coming a little later? Excellent! Check out their extensive workshops!
Get to the Core of Northumberland’s Ciders
Northeast of Toronto along the shores of Lake Ontario, Northumberland County offers sippers of cider a delightful taste of place!
Discover unique ciders and make it into a weekend escape.
Day 1: Discover 401 Cider Brewery + Delightful Colborne!
Located just off Highway 401, this itinerary makes for an easy-to-get-to-escape.
401 Cider Brewery
Where: 262 Orchard Rd. Colborne, ON. (View Map)
If you’ve ever been driving along Highway 401 and passed that ginormous apple, it’s about time you pull over. Home to 401 Cider Brewery, this cider stop is a must.
Kick off your adventure right at the heart of the action – the cidery – where you can discover everything from their classic Premium Apple Cider to their more daring concoctions infused with raspberries, black currants, peaches and cranberries. However, brace yourself for the main event: Almond Cider. Trust us, it’s the sip we can’t wait for you to get your hands on!
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This cider boasts a medium bite with a syrupy flavour profile that would pair up beautifully with a square of dark chocolate or a sharp cheddar.
After you’ve had time to shop the cidery, it’s time to explore the rest of this sweet roadside attraction! The Big Apple offers all kinds of delicious fun! Shop the Big Apple Market (and do NOT leave without one of their famous pies), enjoy a round of mini golf and most importantly, climb up the world’s largest apple-shaped structure!
Old Mill Alpacas
Where: 13557 Little Lake Rd. Colborne, ON. (View Map)
Just six minutes away, Old Mill Alpacas offers up a unique experience in rural Northumberland County. Book an Alpaca Trek and Tour in advance to discover this 86-animal herd, learn about the heritage of the property and take a walk with one of the alpacas.
You’ll love visiting with these gentle and spirited creatures- each with their own unique personality. Before you leave, visit the farm store to stock up on all things alpaca. Think hats, mittens, dryer balls, socks and so much more! It’s a masterfleece.
Visit Grafton Co-Op for Dirty Dog Cider Co.
Where: 10810A County Rd 2, Grafton, ON. (View Map)
Continue west along County Rd 2 W and pop in at Grafton Co-op to pick up some of Dirty Dog Cider Co’s non-alcoholic sweet apple cider – available in both 2L Growlers and single serving size bottles – to take home. This micro-craft cidery recently took home a 3rd place medal in the Heritage Craft Cider category at the 2024 Ontario Cider Competition for its Cox Orange Pippin Cider.
Stay the Night at Ste. Anne’s Spa
Where: 1009 Massey Rd, Grafton, ON. (View Map)
After a little time on the farm, head to Ste. Anne’s Spa and get settled in for the night!
Rejuvenate with a little hydro-therapy in the afternoon or a visit to the eucalyptus inhalation room to chill out before dinner. Finally, wind down for the evening at the on-site Feast On® certified restaurant. With a menu that changes weekly (yes, you read that correctly), you’ll get the chance to nosh on the freshest local ingredients. Past favs have included brined local heritage pork, Ste. Anne’s Beef Carpaccio and pan roasted halibut for starters.
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Day 2: Visit Rice Lake Hard Cider and Nearby Cobourg
Kick of day two and get ready to sip and savour more of beautiful Northumberland!
A Delightful Breakfast + Spa Treatment
Where: Ste. Anne’s Spa
Before heading out from Ste. Anne’s, be sure to grab breakfast from their on-site bakery. Tasty (and certified gluten-free) treats made for road-tripping await.
We recommend taking part of the morning to indulge in some more of their epic spa treatments (it’s vacay after all, you deserve it)!
Once you’re ready to roll, start heading west for a lovely 15-minute spring drive to Baltimore.
Rice Lake Hard Cider
Where: 4741 County Road 45, Baltimore, ON. (View Map)
(289) 629-3300
To note: Hours vary, best to call ahead.
Connecting over their shared love for Rice Lake, founders Jana and Graham started Rice Lake Hard Cider together. Specializing in three flagship ciders, they’re all about perfecting their art (which can be seen in their multiple accolades). All three are gluten-free and boast less than 1 gram of sugar- creating a nice crisp finish.
Start your journey by cracking into a can of their Original Dry Cider before checking out their Cranberry Dry which balances the tart flavour of Ontario cranberries with the smoothness of Ontario apples. Finally, finish it all off with the Slo-Hopped Dry Cider to appreciate hops in a new way. It’s not just in your beer!
Hop into the retail store to grab a mixed six-pack to enjoy on your cidery adventure! While hours are limited, they also host events occasionally so keep an eye on their Facebook page!
Art Gallery of Northumberland
Where: Victoria Hall, West Wing, Third Floor, 55 King St W, Cobourg, ON. (View Map)
While away the afternoon at the Art Gallery of Northumberland! This is where art gets bold and boundaries get cozy. Dive into a whirlpool of wonder with exhibits that change as often as a chameleon on a disco ball (how cute)!
With a mandate to make art accessible, this spot features a rotating selection of exciting exhibits. AGN highlights to check out this spring include Judy, an exhibition of fibre artist Laura Kenney’s hooked rugs, Sculpture from the Permanent Collection featuring works by Viktor Tinkle, and Frances Ferdinands’ Covenant of Circles (starting May 4th).
In addition to exhibits, the gallery also hosts a number of workshops, artist talks and events to keep an eye on.
The El
Where: 74 King St. W. Cobourg, ON. (View Map)
Crafting dishes inspired by their travels, two Toronto ex-pats, Greg and Amanda da Silva have made The El in Cobourg the perfect spot for a date night or hang with friends. If you love it, you can also check out the second location – The El(P) in Peterborough.
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Grab a craft cocktail (including a wild selection of margaritas) or a craft beer from the likes of Bellwoods, Second Wedge Brewing and others and then dive head first into the menu.
Colourful dishes pack the punch! Soba Noodle bowls and Tuna POKE Salad offer light and refreshing munches whereas heartier dishes like their Angry Bird Fried Chicken and Harissa Lamb Shank will really hit the spot.
Happy Sipping!
No matter where you land: Durham Region, Northumberland County or both, we know you’ll have a bushel of fun!
