Taste & Discover
Ontario craft cider.
From the lakeside orchards in Niagara to the micro-climate groves of Collingwood and all the way to Prince Edward County, Ontario is crafting some of worlds best ciders.
Ontario’s craft cider community.
Crafted by those who call Ontario home.
Rooted in the rural communities of Ontario, local cider producers gathered together to create a leading organization to ensure that Ontario is recognized as a centre for cider excellence and innovation! Our lofty goal is to nurture a deep love for our local ciders among legal drink age consumers in Ontario and foster a sustainable cider industry within the province. The association upholds the values of traditional cider making and draws from this heritage to create high quality and authentic ciders. Our cider producers enrich the rural economy across the whole province and invigorate Ontario’s rural tourism industry with cidery destinations from Windsor to Prince Edward County, Niagara to Georgian Bay and everywhere in between
We are passionate, we love our craft. apples are our pride and joy.
We invest in and cherish our land, our communities and our local farmers.
We are a community of independently owned cidermakers.
We are authentic, real, and made by your friendly neighbours down the road.
We take the time to do it right. You cannot rush mother nature.
Cider media & events
With over 60 local cideries and growing, our members participate in many local festivals and host a myriad of events from food pairings to live music.
Meet the OCCA members.
The Ontario Craft Cider Association’s (OCCA) mission is to support and promote the interests of Ontario Cider Producers and foster a sustainable cider industry within the province. OCCA acts as a vehicle to develop and promote the Craft Cider industry in Ontario and as an educational forum for the consumer as well as industry members. The association upholds the values of traditional cider making and draws from this heritage to create high quality and pure ciders.
friends of the o.c.c.a
valued o.c.c.a associate members
Meet the OCCA board of directors.
The OCCA Board of Directors is composed of dedicated cider makers and industry representatives from across Ontario. Their collective experience and leadership help guide the association’s mission to promote, protect, and grow Ontario’s craft cider industry.
Jenifer Dean
Partner, County Cider Company
Board Chair
Committee Participant – Government Relations, Marketing
Nick Sutcliffe
President, Mad Bee Collective (co-founded Pommies Cider)
Board Vice Chair
Committee Participant – Government Relations, Resource Sourcing Committee (Ad Hoc)
Amy Robson
Partner, West Avenue Cider House
Board Secretary
Chris Thompson
Calabogie Brewing/Ernest Cider
Board Treasurer
Derek Cartlidge
President, Thornbury Craft Cider Co.
Liaison/Promotion Representative
Committee Participant – Chair, Government Relations
Walter Vaz
Managing Partner, Heritage Estate Winery & Cidery
Member at Large
Committee Participant – Government Relations Committee
Martha Lowry
Owner, Woodfolk Cider
Member at Large
Committee Participant – Government Relations, Research & Education
Meet the OCCA staff.
The OCCA staff works closely with members and the Board of Directors to support the association’s programs, advocacy, and communications. Their efforts help ensure the smooth operation of the organization and the continued growth of Ontario’s craft cider industry.
Janice A. Ruddock
Executive Director
