Our Story

Sea Cider was born from Kristen and Bruce Jordan’s shared passion for organic farming, cidermaking and cider drinking! Several years ago, with two young children at home and the family farm beckoning, the seeds  of a dream were planted resulting in what is today their award-winning organic orchard and Ciderhouse on the Saanich Peninsula.

“Why cider?” everyone asks.  Well, combine Bruce’s cidermaking hobby, Kristen’s family orchard, and the many years the two of them spent living and travelling in cider regions of the world, and it begins to make sense.

Coming from a family of ranchers and farmers, Kristen was naturally drawn to apple orchards.  Lacking a farming background, Bruce nevertheless thought that tractors were cool.  In 1999 they made cider for their wedding guests and lamented the dearth of decent cider in Canada.

“Why no cider?” the Jordans wondered. With a little digging, they discovered that cider had actually once been one of the most popular drinks in North America – “safer than water” was the thinking before Prohibition. Locally, they discovered that the lush farmland surrounding Victoria had once been the fruit basket of British Columbia, producing fruit  for BC’s first commercial winery.  The Prohibition-era ban on alcohol resulted in most cider apple orchards falling to the axe. The industry never recovered when the ban was lifted as a thirsty public did not care to wait for cider to re-establish itself.

With this history in mind, the Jordans decided that the time was right for them to try to help cider regain its lost popularity. They searched for just the right place to plant an orchard and to make cider from their apples. Wanting to spread the word about cider, they also knew from the start that they would invite people to come and taste their cider and share their vision. 

They found a gem of a farm in 2004 – sitting high up on a hill overlooking the sea where rumrunners used to race in their boats full of prohibited liquor.  With rich soil and a favourable climate, the site was perfect for growing the best cider apples in the world. Then the  real digging started with plenty of help from friends and family. One thousand apple trees later (and 1000 wheel barrows of chicken manure!) and their orchard was planted. 

 Today, Bruce and Kristen want to welcome you to their orchard and Ciderhouse to taste the fruits of their labour.  Come raise a glass, experience the fine tradition of artisan cidermaking and discover for yourself why they are so passionate about handcrafted cider.