A Local’s Guide to Oregon’s Best Cider Houses and Apple Orchards
Nestled between the coast and the Cascade Range, Oregon’s rich soil, ample sunshine, and wet winters make for a perfect apple-growing environment, and the state’s cider houses offer wide-ranging interpretations of them. This list has been carefully crafted with insider knowledge to provide the juiciest details about Oregon’s top cider houses and apple orchards, accurately showcasing what makes our region so special for apple lovers.
1. Portland Cider Co., Clackamas
Nestled on the southeastern edge of Portland, Portland Cider Co. is renowned for its diverse, award-winning hard ciders. With English roots but a Pacific Northwest twist, their ciders are pressed from local Oregon apples and their Clackamas taproom gives you the opportunity to taste the entire line-up. Go for Growler-fill Wednesdays for some sweet deals!
2. E.Z. Orchards, Salem
E.Z. Orchards in Salem has been growing a variety of apples for over 85 years. Their farm shop is a must-visit during fall for fresh apples, pears, and other seasonal produce – and don’t miss their famous apple cider donuts. Every October, they put on Harvest Fest which is a perfect family outing with hayrides, pumpkin patches, and their well-known corn maze.
3. 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis
Housed within the lively college town of Corvallis, 2 Towns Ciderhouse believes in pushing the bounds of what cider can be. Taste their daring ciders with Oregon-inspired flavors like marionberry or ginger-chili. Their tap room also hosts great events featuring local Oregonian music and food trucks.
4. Apple Valley Orchard, Boring
Well, Boring isn’t boring when it comes to Apple Valley Orchard. From McIntosh to Honeycrisp, this family-owned orchard offers U-pick and ready-picked apples during the harvest season. The picturesque views of Mount Hood from the orchard make apple-picking a beautiful day out, so do pack a picnic!
5. Blue Mountain Cider Company, Milton-Freewater
Located in northeastern Oregon vineyard country, Blue Mountain Cider Company brings winemaking techniques to their cider production. Their dry, complex, and unfiltered ciders are akin to a fine wine. Visit their tasting room, don the cowboy boots, and enjoy a cider paired with locally made artisan cheeses.
6. Hood River U-Pick Organic, Hood River
At Hood River U-Pick Organic, you can pick your own apples from trees that stretch up against the magnificent Mount Hood. A certified organic orchard with a stunning view, it’s an idylall for the eco-conscious apple lover. They provide bags and twisting apple pickers, you just bring the enthusiasm!
7. Swift Cider, Portland
One of the hippest additions to Oregon’s cider scene, Swift Cider in Portland sources its apples from local farms and introduces unexpected ingredients like habanero, tangerine and sage into their brews. While there’s no taproom at present, you can find their bold cider offerings widely dispersed across the city.
8. Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Parkdale
This family-run orchard in Parkdale is famous for growing some of the sweetest apples in Oregon. Kiyokawa Orchards grows over a hundred varieties of apples and pears, making it a treasure trove for apple enthusiasts. Be sure to make a stop at their farm stand to sample the ripe and ready varieties they have available on your visit.
9. Bauman’s Cider, Gervais
Bauman’s Cider in Gervais marries tradition with innovation. Their seasonal ciders often feature other Oregon-grown fruits, from cranberries to plums. The farm where the cidery is located hosts an annual Cider Festival in November, complete with tastings, tours, and festivities – a definite must-experience event.
10. Wildcraft Cider Works, Eugene
Dedicated to creating high-quality cider using foraged and consciously cultivated ingredients, Wildcraft Cider Works in Eugene is worth a visit for those interested in sustainable practices and wild fermentation techniques. Their ciders are sophisticated, complex and definitely worth exploring.
Whether you’re picking apples against the scenic backdrop of Mount Hood or digging into a unique, locally-inspired cider in Portland, Oregon’s best cider houses and apple orchards provide experiences that are quintessentially Oregonian: wholesome, authentic, and full of flavor. Grab a jacket, pull on your boots, and get ready to taste your way across this wonderful apple-laden state the way a local would.