Wards Cider

Wards Cider carries real Okanagan orchard heritage, with the Ward family growing apples on their Kelowna land for five generations stretching back to 1922. That history shows in the cider itself: rather than chasing novelty, Wards focuses on traditional, tree-ripened apples chosen for their natural acidity and tart, complex character. The result is hard cider that is pressed fresh, fermented with champagne yeast, all-natural and gluten-free, with the kind of balanced acidity and crisp finish that only comes from fruit left to hang and develop on the tree.

You will find the Wards cider store and tasting bar at the historic View Winery site, a vintage packing house built in 1922 that anchors the family operation. It is a fitting home, full of character and tied directly to the orchard heritage behind the brand. Step up to the tasting bar to sample across the range and find the style that suits you, from drier traditional pours to their well-loved ginger cider, which pairs honey and crunchy apple notes with a gingery lift and a slightly creamy weight.

The focus here is squarely on the cider and the place rather than a full food-and-events program, which makes Wards a genuine, no-frills stop for anyone who wants to taste cider made the traditional way by people who grow their own fruit. Set against the broader View Winery property and the surrounding Okanagan landscape, it slots naturally into a day of tasting around Kelowna. If you appreciate cider with roots, made from proper cider apples by a family that has been at it for a century, Wards rewards the visit. Come ready to taste, ask about the orchard, and take a few bottles home.