CIDER IN THE COUNTY: A PERFECT SPRING DAY

Prince Edward County offers weeks of fun, including freshwater beaches, scenic cycling routes, local farm stands, antique shops, and concerts in unique venues.  For the cider-curious, we’ve mapped out a perfect day to explore the thriving cider scene, along with some other charming stops. Just a short drive from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, or upstate New York, the County makes for an unforgettable getaway. 


Breakfast at Wander the Resort

15841 Loyalist Pky, Wellington
wandertheresort.com

The Wander Bar

On a beautiful June Saturday morning, my companion and I chose to begin our day in the bright and airy dining room overlooking a shimmering Lake Ontario. The view was as refreshing as the meal – local, vibrant greens accompanied my perfectly poached Eggs Benedict, and a creamy latte added just the right touch of indulgence. If you’re looking for a longer stay, Wander the Resort offers beautiful waterfront cabins and a new Nordic spa, privately nestled in nature, thoughtfully designed for both peace and connection.  


Cider Tasting at Loch Mór Cider Company

890 Danforth Road, Hillier
lochmorcider.com

Loch Mor Tasting Glasses

Overlooking 10 acres of blossoming spring orchards at Loch Mór, we tasted through the impressive range of ciders crafted under the expert guidance of Sara Boyd, one of Ontario’s few Certified Pommeliers. From the dry and complex Danforth Road Blend to the super fruity & crushable Sour Cherry, each pour told a story rooted in the Hillier Road Orchard. Though we arrived before noon, the patio was already bustling with cider enthusiasts, some with kids in tow, who were happy to take advantage of the family games on site.    


Celebrating Pride at Stock and Row Farm Cidery

114 Gilead Road, Bloomfield
stockandrow.com

Stock-and-Row-Glass

The vibe at Stock & Row Cider was bright, colourful and full of joy as we celebrated Pride in true craft cider style. With rainbow flags waving, glasses clinking, we enjoyed the Lime Crush and Raspberry Cold Tea while soaking up the sun, music and celebration of love, community, and pride! The lime crush had a punchy key lime flavour complimented by gentle notes of spice and just enough sweetness to balance. Perfect for a summer day, we picked up a six pack to enjoy at home.    


A Sweet Pause at Slickers Ice Cream

271 Main Street, Bloomfield
slickers.ca

In need of a break from our cider tastings, we ducked into the iconic Slickers in Bloomfield – famous across the County it its small-batch, handcrafted ice cream. Creamy, flavourful, and made with care, it was the perfect palate refresher. Of course, once you’re in Bloomfield, it’s nearly impossible to resist the charm of its independently owned shops. The village is full of enticing little spots offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and unique gifts to stylish clothing and local curiosities.


The Wandering Albatross Bookstore

287 Main Street, Bloomfield
wanderingalbatrossbooks.com

One of our favourite discoveries was The Wandering Albatross Bookstore – a cozy gem tucked down a quiet laneway. With a focus on carefully curated fiction, travel writing, history, nature, geography, maps, and more, it’s the kind of place that invites you to linger, browse, and leave with something meaningful. After a quick consultation with owners Lindsay and Kelly, we selected our books and stepped back out into the sunshine.  


The County Cider Company

657 Bongards Crossroads, Waupoos
countycider.com

County-Cider

By far the most beautiful drive in Prince Edward County is County Road 8 leading to Waupoos. As we drove along the north shore of Prince Edward Bay, we enjoyed sweeping views of the water, rolling farmland, lilac bushes and apple blossoms at every turn. Heading up the little side road of Bongards Crossroad, we arrived at The County Cider Company, celebrating their 30th Anniversary! The Farm was abuzz with a live local band, guest vendors, family activities and even axe throwing! After sipping our way through a cider tasting with Founder, Jenifer Dean, we kicked back in our Muskoka chairs, glasses of County Cider’s delicious Blood Orange in hand, soaking up the sun and the dazzling sparkle of the Bay below.   


Dinner at Hartleys Tavern

19 Elizabeth Street, Picton
hartleystavern.com

Following another glorious drive, we wrapped up our evening at Hartley’s Tavern in Picton – a cozy-chic spot that strikes the perfect balance between elegance and laid-back charm. Welcomed by local hospitality legend, Janine Hartley and her daughter-in-law, Shelby, we began with a delicious appetizer of fresh local strawberries, creamy burrata, and garden greens, then ended on a sweet note with a salted caramel mocha crème brûlée – all accompanied by local wine, beer and, of course, cider!  


Bonus Stop Dirty Dog Cider

352 Kernaghan Road, Colborne

Dirty Dog Award Winner

If you’re heading out of the County and back to the city, treat yourself to one last delicious stop: a hidden gem tucked away in Colborne, just west of Prince Edward County.  Dirty Dog Cider is a family-run micro cidery and Farm Market. Owner Lori sells her delicious homemade preserves – think jams, pickles, and fresh-baked treats – but the real showstopper is their award-winning Snow Cider, a stand-out Heritage Dry. Before you leave, be sure to grab a bottle of their sweet summer blend (non-alcohol) for the road!