Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OCVC) was held in February 2026 and presented the Annual Craft Cider Competition featuring Ontario cider businesses from across the province.
Drumroll please…
Our own Debbie Trenholm was a judge at this competition. She was amazed by the breadth and quality of the entries. All ciders were sampled blind by the panels of judges. After a long afternoon of sipping and sampling, the winners were announced for the 4 categories.
Modern Craft Ciders
Modern Craft Ciders are made from 100% Ontario apples only with no other fruits permitted. Sweet ciders must not be cloying. Dry ciders must not be too austere. Entry specifications:
- Carbonated (either naturally or artificially will be accepted)
- Final Gravity: 0.995 – 1.020
- ABV: 5 – 8%
- PH 3.3 – 3.8
2026 Winners….
Congratulations on the 2026 winners of the Modern Cider category:
1st – Georgian Hills Vineyard – Ardiel Dry Apple Cider
2nd – Reinhart’s Cider – Red Apples Strong Cider
3rd – Vieni Estates – Sparkling Apple Cider
Fruit and/or Botanical Craft Ciders
Fruit and/or Botanical Cider includes:
- Carbonated (either naturally or artificially will be accepted)
- Final Gravity: 0.995 – 1.020
- ABV: 5 – 10%
- PH 3.3 – 3.8
2026 Winners….
Congratulations on the 2026 winners of the Fruit and/or Botanical Cider category:
1st – Loch Mor Cider Co. – Harrison Spritz
2nd – Slabtown Cider – Legendary Cherry
3rd – Spy Cider House & Distillery – Conspiracy Theory
Hopped/Barrel Aged Craft Ciders
Hopped or Barrel Aged Cider includes:
Hopped Ciders: made from 100% Ontario apples infused with hops.
Barrel Aged Ciders: made from 100% Ontario apples and have undergone aging in wooden barrels to impart complex flavors, aromas, and tannins.
Entry specifications:
- Carbonated (either naturally or artificially will be accepted)
- Final Gravity: 0.995 – 1.020
- ABV: 5 – 10%
- PH 3.3 – 3.8
2026 Winners….
Congratulations on the 2026 winners of the Hopped/Barrel Aged Cider category:
1st – Farmgate Cider – Honey & Hops
2nd – Hounds of Erie Winery – Dog House
3rd – Slabtown Cider – Barrel Aged Chardonnay
Traditional/Heritage Craft Cider
Cider made from 100% Ontario apples using bittersweet/bittersharp apple varieties, often referred to as Heirloom Varieties. These apples are often only used to make cider. These ‘old world’ apples often have higher tannins and more acidity which add more complexity to cider. Flavour profile has complex aromas, funky apple flavour with good mouthfeel, some astringency and long aftertaste. May be spicy/smoky, phenolic, with farmyard/old-horse characters. These flavour notes are positive but not required. If present, they must not dominate; in particular, the phenolic and farmyard notes should not be heavy.
- May include wild/crab apples locally sourced for added acidity/tannin balance.
- May or may not be made by spontaneous fermentation.
- May commonly have gone through malo-lactic (MLF) fermentation.
- May be single varietal.
Entry Specifications:
Carbonation range from still to sparkling (either naturally or artificially)
- Final Gravity: 0.995 – 1.020
- ABV 6 – 10%
- PH 2.95 – 3.5
- Typically medium yellow to amber in colour
- Clarity may be slightly hazy to brilliant
2026 Winners….
Congratulations on the 2026 winners of the Traditional/Heritage Craft Cider category:
1st – West Avenue Cider Limited – Heritage Dry
2nd – Farmgate Cider – Russet
3rd – Hounds of Erie Winery – Best in Show