There’s something about fall that invites you to slow down and savor: crisp air, golden leaves, and the comforting taste of apples in every form. Whether you’re sipping a mulled cider on a misty morning or sampling a flight in a cozy tasting room, cider is one of the season’s most evocative flavors.
USA Today recently released its 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Cidery, spotlighting standout producers across the country. These cideries were nominated by an expert panel and voted on by readers for their creativity, quality, and atmosphere.
We’re adding these standout cideries to our travel list and sharing two personal favorites that made us fall in love with cider all over again.
Why Fall and Cider Make the Perfect Pair
Cider is more than a beverage. It’s a reflection of place, season, and tradition. Whether you’re sipping a dry reserve in a quiet orchard or enjoying a mulled blend in a bustling tasting room, cider invites you to slow down and savor.
Fall is peak season for cider tasting, with harvest flavors, cozy atmospheres, and scenic backdrops that make every sip feel like a celebration of the season.
USA Today’s Top Cideries to Visit
Here are the cideries that earned top honors in USA Today’s 10Best list. Each one offers something special, from bold blends to seasonal favorites.
Click on a cidery below to explore its most intriguing drink options and discover what makes it a standout this fall.
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard – Fly Creek, New York
- Original (fermented with champagne)
- Apple Raspberry
- Apple Wines (various options are available)
James Creek Cider House – Cameron, North Carolina
- Beehive Ginger (honey and ginger)
- Bellatrix Blue (carbonated cider with blueberry wine)
- Winter Solstice (cinnamon and nutmeg notes)
Urban Orchard – Asheville, North Carolina
- Highland (pear, elderflower, wildflower honey)
- Sidra Del Diablo (fresh habanero & vanilla, creeper spice)
- Sunglasses at Night (strawberry and fresh basil infusion)
Excursion Ciders – Kimberton, Pennsylvania
- Of the Woods: Foeder Core IV (dry, crisp with notes of oak and honeydew)
- Of the Village: Elderberry Magic (deep berry notes)
- Of the World: Prickly Pear (dry and fruity with a taste of Latin America)
Cider Corps – Mesa, Arizona
- Mango Foxtrot (mango and rosehips)
- Fruit Salad (blueberry, dark cherry, peach, apricot, mango)
- Karma (hops and black tea)
Gypsy Circus Cider Company – Kingsport, Tennessee
- Raindancer (semi-dry, floral aroma)
- Pearanoid Dreams (semi-dry, pear notes)
- Jack Tales (roasted pumpkin cider)
OK Cider Co – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Blackberry Radler
- Honey Blossom
- Naughty Apple (semi-dry session cider)
Vermont Cider Lab – Essex, Vermont
- Stinker (cranberry notes)
- Cassa Frass (ginger and lemon)
- Sloaner (blueberry and basil notes)
Stem Ciders – Lafayette, Colorado
- Blueberry lime (semi-sweet, blueberry and lime notes)
- Chile Guava (semi-dry with a tropical pepper punch)
- Ridgeline (hibiscus and strawberry notes)
Ash & Elm Cider Co. – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Del Camino (pineapple and tamarind notes)
- Strawberry Basil
- Sunset (tart cherry)
Ciders We’re Most Curious to Try
While we haven’t sampled these blends yet, a few offerings from the 10Best cideries caught our attention for their bold flavors and seasonal flair. They’re on our radar for future road trips, and we’ll report back when we do.
- Blackberry Radler from OK Cider Co – a fruit-forward blend that promises tart refreshment.
- Sloaner from Vermont Cider Lab – blueberry and basil in a mix that sounds both earthy and bright.
- Highland Cider from Urban Orchard Cider Co. – pear, elderflower, and wildflower honey come together in this semi-sweet cider that sounds like an intriguing twist on a classic fall pour.
These flavors speak to the creativity and regional flair that make cider culture so exciting. We’re looking forward to tasting them for ourselves and sharing the experience when we do.
Curious flavors aside, a couple of cideries we’ve experienced firsthand continue to shape how we think about fall tasting trips.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill: A Vermont Classic
Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center, Vermont, is a must-stop for apple lovers. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also packed with charm. The gift shop overflows with baked goods, maple treats, apple products, and souvenirs. The cider donuts and fresh apple cider remain the stars of the show, and they are outstanding.
Cold Hollow has recently rebranded its hard cider lineup, offering a mix of returning favorites and new seasonal blends. All are cold-pressed on site using their traditional rack and cloth press. Current offerings include Semi-Sweet, Semi-Dry, Citra Hopped, and Hibiscus Ginger, with seasonal releases such as Paloma Spritz in the summer and Cider Donut in cooler months.
When we visited, the lineup was different, but the experience was unforgettable. Julie and I split a ham and Swiss sandwich on sweet potato bread with maple mustard, paired with a flight of hard ciders. The flavors were bold, balanced, and surprisingly elevated for a casual lunch stop. While the cider varieties have changed, the quality and creativity remain strong.
Cold Hollow continues to offer tastings, glass pours, and a cozy restaurant that makes it easy to linger. Whether you’re here for the donuts, the cider, or the scenery, it’s a quintessential Vermont experience.
Planning a fall getaway in the Green Mountain State? We share more details about Cold Hollow and other seasonal highlights in our post on fun Vermont fall adventures.
Island Orchard Cider: Door County Delight
Island Orchard Cider in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and a wide range of hard ciders. The orchard itself sits on Washington Island, and the fruit is handpicked and ferried across Death’s Door to the mainland for pressing and fermentation.
Their best-selling Apple Cherry Cider is even carried at Lambeau Field. But the tasting room offers much more, including oak-aged ciders, dessert varieties, a lavender-infused option, and an ice cider. I sampled the ice cider alongside two award-winning picks: the Brut Apple Reserve and the Kingston Black. The ice cider was a bit sweet for my taste, but the other two were beautifully balanced.
Island Orchard uses flip-top bottles with attached stoppers, a clever touch that keeps your cider fresh and spill-free. They also offer picnic-style snack packs to pair with your drinks. With indoor and outdoor seating, flight tastings, glass pours, and shareable pitchers, it’s a great place to unwind and enjoy the flavors of fall.
Planning a fall escape to Door County? We highlight five stunning state parks worth exploring, with Island Orchard Cider as a delicious bonus stop along the way.
Planning a Fall Cider Road Trip
USA Today’s 10Best list offers a great starting point for fall travelers. And while we haven’t visited these winners yet, we’re inspired to seek them out. In the meantime, Cold Hollow and Island Orchard remind us that great cider experiences can be found in unexpected places.
If you’re planning a fall road trip, consider adding a cidery or two to your itinerary. You might just find a new favorite — and a few unforgettable flavors along the way.
Featured image credit: bhofack2 via Deposit Photos
