Nicole Crescenzi/contributor
Cider enthusiasts can celebrate B次元官网网址� a new family-run cidery just opened to the public on the Saanich Peninsula.
Victoria Cider Co., located at 9635 West Saanich Rd., is a five-acre property with apple trees, a 100-year-old home, and a classic barn-red tasting room. The cideryB次元官网网址檚 tasting room, which officially opened on Aug. 12, was a long-time dream for the Ralph family, who have owned the property for more than 12 years.
Founders Wayne and Maureen Ralph first got the idea of making cider shortly after purchasing the property, when a neighbour asked if he could have some of the apples to make his own personal cider.
B次元官网网址淗e said our 100-year-old trees produced the best apples,B次元官网网址� Maureen said.
It wasnB次元官网网址檛 until seven years ago while vacationing in Hawaii, near the time Wayne retired, that the idea for a business solidified.
B次元官网网址淲e were on the pool deck and Maureen approached me with the idea,B次元官网网址� Wayne explained.
After a 30-year career as an engineer with BC Ferries, he had to switch gears. B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 know anything about making cider, running a business or front-of-house customer service B次元官网网址� But we decided if weB次元官网网址檙e going to do this, weB次元官网网址檙e going to do this right.B次元官网网址�
Wayne hit the road, learning about making cider from world-class teachers in England and the United States. The family invested in more apple trees B次元官网网址� researching cider varieties B次元官网网址� and shopped around for equipment.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 truly been a family effort,B次元官网网址� Wayne said as the couple enlisted the help of their four adult children B次元官网网址� Emily, Jamie, Kirstie and Daniel.
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In preparation for opening the tasting room, Victoria Cider Co. has been producing 11,000 litres per year B次元官网网址� all from their own apples B次元官网网址� and offers a mixture of both traditional and modern flavoured ciders. These include their dry, farmhouse, perry and keeved blends, as well as lavender, ginger and hopped blends. They also offer bourbon and whiskey ciders, aged in appropriate barrels.
Even before they opened the tasting room, Victoria Cider Co.B次元官网网址檚 products could be found in more than 30 local liquor stores across Greater Victoria B次元官网网址� including their prize-winning keeved cider.
Keeving is a traditional French method of cider making which has a long fermentation process of six months. It creates a naturally sweet and sparkling cider. ItB次元官网网址檚 a tricky process and could be devastating if four months in something went awry. But, for the Ralph family, it paid off. They took home a medal at the Portland International Cider Cup before their doors even opened.
The last step was getting a liquor license for the tasting room.
B次元官网网址淭hey donB次元官网网址檛 just give those away in cereal boxes,B次元官网网址� Wayne said.
When the doors finally opened, people poured in with glowing reviews for their products.
B次元官网网址淚t was an emotional experience,B次元官网网址� he added.
Visitors to the tasting room can lounge on a bright open lawn with picnic tables, willow trees and games. For more information, visit
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