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9 Cider Houses In Ontario That Are Worthy Of A Fall Road Trip To Kick Off Apple Season

Sip fruity flights on orchard patios.🍎🍺

There is never a bad time to enjoy a crisp apple cider but it's extra sweet to sip as the air begins to cool and the leaves change colours.

Ontario is full of many different cider houses that create boozy drinks with home grown apples and here are nine you can visit to check it out at the source.

Whether you're looking to kick off apple season early, love patio hopping or need any excuse for an Ontario road trip these local cideries are worth a visit.

West Avenue Cider House

Price: $15 for a flight of 3 ciders

When: Tuesday to Sunday until Thanksgiving, then Friday to Sunday until spring

Address: 84 Concession 8 E., Freelton, ON

Why You Need To Go: The cider house uses rare heritage apples from its orchard to create its Heritage Cider along with about 15 cider varieties that are rotated. This fall the "Oracle" cider will be released and it's a sparkly pink rosé flavour. There is a cottage Airbnb on the property so you can sip flights then spend the night.

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Spy Distillery

Price: $12+ per flight

Address: 808108, Side Rd. 24, Clarksburg, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can make reservations online to enjoy cider flights or boozy cocktails in a tasting room or out on the patio. Choose to sit in The Spartan, a vintage trailer where you can select a fireside experience with food pairings or hang out at The Nest for a picturesque nature view.

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Saunders Cider

Price: $10 for a flight of 4 ciders

When: Ciderhouse is open Saturday and Sunday

Address: 7893 Bleeks Rd. B, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Saunders Farm is known for its summer camp and Halloween Fright Fest but they also have a cider house where you can sip pints and munch on snacks. You can pop by on the weekend or add a boozy stop to your other farm activities.

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Ironwood Cider House

Price: $15 flights of 4 ciders

When: Open daily

Address: 1425 Lakeshore Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Why You Need To Go: This is the only cider house in the Niagara region and they serve up artisanal ciders as well as a full lunch and tapas menu. Enjoy your meal and drinks as you admire an orchard of peach trees. Reservations are available for guided tastings only.

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Twin Pines Orchards and Cider House

Price: Prices vary

When: Open daily, weekend tastings

Address: 8169 Kennedy Line, Thedford, ON

Why You Need To Go: From fruit grown on-site, you can stop by to buy bottles of cider or enjoy a weekend tasting flight out on the patio or in the tasting room. They also have cider mimosas and you can pick apples from the orchard come September.

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Crimson Cider Company

Price: $12 for slushie cider flights or $8 per glass

When: Open daily

Address: 13762 Loyalist Pkwy., Picton, ON

Why You Need To Go: If you're looking for something unique this cidery offers cider slushies in a variety of flavours, from spring into fall. When they don't have slushies they have hot apple cider that you can sip next to a roaring campfire.

Website

BUSL Cider

Flight of hard cider on a patio overlooking an orchard in Ontario.

Flight of hard cider on a patio overlooking an orchard in Ontario.

Megan Johnson | Narcity

Price: Prices vary

When: Wednesday to Sunday

Address: 75 Quabbin Rd., Mallorytown, ON

Why You Need To Go: You'll find unique flavours of hard cider like cherry and haskap, along with seasonal options like pumpkin in the fall. Sip away in the tasting room or outside overlooking a picturesque orchard. They also have a yurt for rent if you're looking for a unique overnight stay.

Website

Brickworks Ciderhouse

Price: Cidery tour experience $20 per person, $16 for a flight of 4

When: Open daily

Address: 709 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can enjoy this popular cider brand at the source in its spacious taproom in Toronto along with locally sourced eats or you can soak up the sun on its patio. The Cidery Tour Experience includes a 15-minute cidery tour and a guided tasting. There is also a monthly drag brunch.

Website

Thornbury Craft Co.

Price: $13 flights of four ciders

When: Open daily

Address: 90 King St. E., Thornbury, ON

Why You Need To Go: Try a number of hard cider flavours such as honeycrisp, raspberry, tropical or pear along with a menu of snacks. There are cider seltzers too (also available as a flight) that you can drink in the spacious taproom or outdoor patio.

Website