About
Sea Cider is a farm-based cidery located on the Saanich Peninsula just minutes from Victoria, on the south end of Vancouver Island. Our ten-acre farm is home to over 1,300 apple trees, made up of over 50 varieties of heirloom apples.
Sea Cider opened its farm gate for business in 2007 when owner Kristen Needham purchased the property with a vision of creating an organic farm and orchard and producing traditional fermented artisan ciders. Since then, we’ve grown to an annual cider production of over 17,000 cases and growing. We continue to pride ourselves on crafting traditionally fermented ciders from organically grown apples, and our award-winning cider is now available throughout Western North America.
Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse has also become one of the top agri-tourism attractions in Victoria and Vancouver Island.
Relax at our Ciderhouse, and drink in the panoramic water views overlooking our orchard across the Haro Straight to James Island. The Ciderhouse is open for tastings and tours year-round. Enjoy a flight of ciders paired with a delicious lunch or snack from our gluten-free kitchen.
Sea Cider is also the perfect venue small weddings, corporate events, family functions and wellness retreats.
Sea Cider invites you to come raise a glass!
*Click here for a 360 virtual tour of our property*
Our Mission
Sociability, sustainability, and community involvement have been the three pillars of Sea Cider’s business philosophy and mission.
Sea Cider is focused on:
- Growing apples organically
- Making traditionally fermented artisan ciders
- Promoting local agriculture on the peninsula
- Supporting the local community
- Providing high-quality cider, excellent service and encouraging visitors to the cider house for a ‘cider experience.’
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Meet Our Cidermakers
Coming from a winemaking background, Molly has a BSc in Chemistry and an MSc in Oenology and Viticulture. She has worked for wineries around the world, including in Australia, Germany, New York State, Ontario, and British Columbia. Early in her career she developed an interest in cidermaking alongside winemaking. She first made cider at Maverick Estate Winery in the Okanagan Valley, and is happy to have landed at Sea Cider in early 2024 to continue this passion full time. She has experience in sensory science, beverage research and development, and education. Having worked at large and small businesses, she enjoys keeping up with all aspects of the Canadian beverage industry, and advocates for community support of hand crafted, terroir-driven premium wines and ciders.
Kayla is joining Sea Cider early in her career, having just finished her MSc in Vine, Wine and Terroir Management at L’Ecole Supérieure des Agricultures in France. While studying overseas, she gained winemaking experience in Portugal, and worked as an apprentice at the French Institute of Vine and Wine, where she spent a year mapping the Anjou wine region and researching the interactions between soils, vine performance, and climate change. At this time, she also developed her love of cider during a road trip around Normandy. Earlier, Kayla studied political ecology at UVic and worked at diverse places, ranging from dairy farms to the BC Legislature. Outside of work, she spends her time farming, hiking, climbing, and knitting.
