Growing thirst for craft cider

SUMMERLAND — As an orchardist of 35 years, Ron Vollo has been making cider for his personal consumption for many years. Vollo is among the pioneers of craft cider in the Okanagan, and four years ago, he started to commercialize it.

“We decided that it was so good and so unknown in Canada that we had to bring it to the people,” says Vollo, one of the founders of  Summerland Heritage Cider Company.

Earlier this year, his brick-and-mortar cidery opened up, bringing in visitors who are interested in the craft cider movement.

Ciders are quickly becoming the drink of choice. B.C. Liquor Stores say the sales of  B.C.-made ciders are up more than 20 per cent over 2014.

Thus far this year, they’ve already sold more than $13 million in B.C. ciders.

So it’s no surprise that with rising popularity, more cideries are starting to emerge onto the scene.

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Mike Harris of Dominion Cider Company is one of the newcomers. He will be opening up a tasting room next month.

“I think it’s definitely carried on the movement of craft beer, but I think beyond that, there’s also a greater interest in farm-based products,” says Harris.

Decades ago, growers were ripping out apple trees to grow grapes, but Harris will soon be removing the vines on his property to make room for trees that grow apples.

He feels like he’s turning back the clock.

“If you looked back a hundred years ago, people actually grew apple cider trees right here in the Okanagan. In fact that’s what we’re trying to recreate in some ways with Dominion Cider Co.,” he says.

At Elephant Island Winery in Naramata, owner Miranda Halliday has branched out, launching a cidery business.

“The market was ready. It’s something that’s been on our radar. We’ve been playing around with it for 10 years,” she says.

She says techniques for making cider are similar to that of making wine.

“It’s an interesting crossover, and a very natural crossover, for wine producers to go into the production of cider,” Halliday says.

Naramata Cider Company started earlier this year. People can buy the ciders at the wine shop or at markets, but Halliday anticipates opening up a cidery next year.

As more cider businesses continue to pop up, Vollo believes consumers will only stand to benefit.

“I think it’s great because the more cider there is for people to try, the more blends and flavours for people to get excited about.”