• Home
  • About
    • About Helen
    • Features & Published Work
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Destinations
  • Reflections
  • Food
  • Travel Essentials
  • Photo Gear
  • Copyright

Not Without My Passport

A Travel and Photography Blog

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse: Inspiration in Victoria’s Backyard

April 30, 2014 by Helen

356 Shares
Share
Tweet
Pin356
Reddit
Email
Flip

sea cider farm and ciderhouse

It’s an inspiring tale of loss, honour and tradition. Kristen Jordan was just a teenager when her father passed away and she inherited an apple orchard on British Columbia’s picturesque Saanich Peninsula. Then, out of the grief and misfortune emerged a ripe vision that was realized in 2007: Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse.

sea cider

When I told a friend in Toronto about the weekend I had planned in Victoria, she was quick to suggest, quite emphatically, a Sea Cider visit. But little did I know I would become as captivated by its story as its unique blends of cider.

After a 20-minute drive from Victoria, I arrive at the tasting room, a tranquil space in a modern farmhouse with vaulted ceilings, giant cast-iron chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the apple orchard.

sea cider victoria bc

sea cider farm house

I’m offered a seat at a long, rustic table for the “Long Flight” – a tasting of their nine current ciders – accompanied by an artisan charcuterie platter proudly sourced from local farmers. The spread is simply too pretty to touch.

sea cider victoria bc, restaurants in victoria bc, ciderhouse

Sea Cider seeks to revive the once-lost tradition of artisan cider-making by pressing its apples with the rack-and-cloth method to create award-winning craft ciders. Most are made with the 60 varieties of certified organic apples grown in Kristen’s own orchard, but some are sourced from others in the local farming community she fervently supports.

She recommends starting with the driest and working towards the sweetest, so I’m first introduced to the smokey and herbal aromas of Flagship, North America’s first organic cider. Half-way down the row is Rumrunner, a cider the colour of caramel, aged for six months in rum-soaked bourbon barrels. The flight ends with Pomona, a dessert cider made with late-harvest crab apples in the style of ice wine.

But I’m completely taken by Pippins, a crisp variety with hints of pineapple. For me, it’s a perfect, harmonious balance of flavours.

Thank goodness I didn’t miss any of the ciders by selecting the shorter flight because I’m having way too much fun sampling all of them, even if I find some too dry or too sweet for my palate. With names like Wild English and Kings & Spies, each cider comes with its own history that takes me to places in my imagination no wine ever has.

And the lunch plate? It’s as mouth-wateringly delicious as it looks.

Following a tasting, visitors are invited to tour the cidery and browse the selection of bottled cider and local, artisan delectables.

craft cider

cider barrel, sea cider

victoria bc cider

But, of course, bottles aren’t easy to travel with, which is why Sea Cider also offers a shipping service that I’ve used myself.

For residents of Western Canada and even Washington state, you’re the lucky ones: you’ll find Sea Cider products in private liquor stores and restaurants.

Today, we’re seeing a creative renaissance in the world of cider that has non-beer drinkers like me rejoicing, thanks to enterprises like Sea Cider.

What Kristen has created is a unique business that celebrates the diversity of cider, one that values quality and integrity above all else. Just as important, it honours her family history and the apple orchard she inherited from her father in her youth.

I can only imagine what her father would say if he could see the orchard now or the critically acclaimed Sea Cider business Kristen has built around it with her passion and care.

One thing’s for certain: the world doesn’t just need more cider. It needs more stories like this.

Pin this post to Pinterest

sea cider

My tasting at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse was complimentary but, as always, all views expressed in this post are my own.

For more things to do in and around Victoria, check my suggestions in this post.

Looking for accommodations in Victoria? Check out the hotel options on Booking.com. I earn a small commission if you click on their link and make a reservation through their site (at no cost to you). Thank you for your support!

You Might Also Like:

  • 48 Hours in Victoria, BC48 Hours in Victoria, BC
  • Jamie’s Rainforest Inn Offers Both Comfort and ValueJamie’s Rainforest Inn Offers Both Comfort and Value
  • Wickaninnish Inn: A Rare Eco-Treasure in Tofino, BCWickaninnish Inn: A Rare Eco-Treasure in Tofino, BC
  • Tofino Restaurants: From Budget Eats to Fine DiningTofino Restaurants: From Budget Eats to Fine Dining
  • Great Canadian Road Trip: Nanaimo to TofinoGreat Canadian Road Trip: Nanaimo to Tofino
356 Shares
Share
Tweet
Pin356
Reddit
Email
Flip

Enjoyed this post? Don't miss the next one!

Sign up to have new posts delivered straight to your inbox plus my FREE, 45-page ebook, Tips to Take Your Mobile Photography From Ordinary to Extraordinary.

Comments

  1. Linda Beil says

    April 30, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    What a great find. I plan on going soon as I live on the Island.

    • Helen Suk says

      April 30, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      Oh, lucky you! And if it’s warm enough, you’ll be able to sip glasses of cider on the patio.

About Helen

Helen Suk

Travel writer. Photographer. Always curious. I search the world for beauty and inspiration while sharing valuable tips to help you plan your next trip.

Read more »

Let’s Get Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

As Seen On

Reader Favourites

  • japanese cherry blossoms at ryoanji temple in kyoto The Meaning of Cherry Blossoms in Japan: Life, Death and Renewal
  • golden sand on outlet beach at sandbanks provincial park Things to Do in Prince Edward County
  • kennedy lake, nanaimo to tofino, road trip canada Great Canadian Road Trip: Nanaimo to Tofino
  • best bali beaches, padang padang Where are the Dream Beaches in Bali?
  • victoria harbour, victoria bc parliament building, victoria bc 48 Hours in Victoria, BC

Mobile Photography on Instagram

Helen Suk

notwithoutmypassport

During a family visit to North Carolina, we spent During a family visit to North Carolina, we spent an afternoon digging the vibes and art murals in Winston-Salem. The artists here have some serious street cred. 💯

#streetart #winstonsalem #graffitiart #northcarolinaart
It was a perfect day for wine tasting in Niagara-o It was a perfect day for wine tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake.🍷

#visitniagara #niagaraonthelake #niagaraonthelakewinery #ontariowineries #discoveron
Have you experienced @littlecanada? This exhibit s Have you experienced @littlecanada? This exhibit surpassed all my expectations.

.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#miniatureworld #miniatures #explorecanada #discoveron #enjoycanada #tourcanada #thankyoucanada #canadaday
🌸 It’s one of my favourite times of the year. 🌸 It’s one of my favourite times of the year. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and they’re here in Hamilton. These delicate flowers are rich in symbolism in Asian countries like Japan. Don’t wait to take in their beauty - it won’t last long.
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#cherryblossoms #sakura #hanami #bayfrontpark #HamOnt #MyHamilton #HamiltonOntario #TheHammer #SteelTown #HamiltonProud #CityofHamilton#TourismHamilton #ExploreHamilton #WhatUpHamilton #HamiltonPhotography #HamiltonPhotographer #discoveron
An artist’s haven. .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #doorsope An artist’s haven.
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#doorsopenhamilton #millworks #millworkscreative #dundasont #dundasontario #dundason #HamOnt #MyHamilton #HamiltonOntario #TheHammer #SteelTown #HamiltonProud #CityofHamilton#TourismHamilton #ExploreHamilton #WhatUpHamilton #HamiltonPhotography #HamiltonPhotographer #discoveron #explorecanada #enjoycanada
Checked out this cool studio for #DoorsOpenHamilto Checked out this cool studio for #DoorsOpenHamilton. 
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#millworks #millworkscreative #dundasont #dundasontario #dundason #HamOnt #MyHamilton #HamiltonOntario #TheHammer #SteelTown #HamiltonProud #CityofHamilton #TourismHamilton #ExploreHamilton #WhatUpHamilton #HamiltonPhotography #HamiltonPhotographer #DiscoverON #ontarioforyou
#explorecanada #enjoycanada  #oh_canada_
That time I learned Lake Huron is THIS blue. That time I learned Lake Huron is THIS blue.
Hello, Hess Village. You’re cute. .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ Hello, Hess Village. You’re cute.
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#electricdinerhamont #HessVillage #HamOnt #MyHamilton #HamiltonOntario #TheHammer #SteelTown #HamiltonProud #CityofHamilton #ExploreHamilton #discoverON #explorecanada
SO ELATED that @trueshotcoffeeco has re-opened. Fo SO ELATED that @trueshotcoffeeco has re-opened. Folks: this is where you go for the best coffee in Hamilton! 🙌🏼
Follow Me on Instagram
Booking.com

Search This Site

Copyright © 2025 · Not Without My Passport