How do I choose a cidery in California?

Key facts

• Live count. Cider Radar lists 77 cider makers in California (as of 2026-10-02), after New York and Washington.
• Apples. California's utilized production of commercial apples was 188.0 million pounds in 2025, from 10,200 bearing acres. [1]
• Cider is wine in law. State law defines wine as the product of "normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound ripe grapes or other agricultural products", and the beer-manufacturer cider rules do "not alter or amend the classification of cider or perry as wine". [2] [3]

Which California regions are known for cider?

• Sonoma County. "Long known for its wines, Sonoma County is also hard cider country", says the county's tourism board, and its heirloom Gravenstein apple is "commonly grown in the orchards of Sebastopol". [4]
• Mendocino County. Orchards in the Anderson Valley around Philo.
• Central Coast and Sierra foothills. Makers near Hollister and in the Gold Country around Mariposa.
• Southern California. Apple country in the mountains at Oak Glen, and taprooms in San Diego County. Outside Sonoma, the areas above follow where makers appear in the Cider Radar catalogue rather than an official list.

Which cider makers are listed in California?

Eight from the catalogue, spread across these areas and listed alphabetically within each; Dutton Estate Winery and Golden State Cider also appear in the county tourism board's cider guide. [4] This is a starting list, not a ranking.

• Sonoma County: Dutton Estate Winery (Sebastopol), Ethic Ciders (Sebastopol), Golden State Cider (Sebastopol)
• Mendocino County: Gowan's Heirloom Cider (Philo)
• Central Coast and Sierra foothills: Pelayo Cider (Hollister), Sierra Cider (Mariposa)
• Southern California: Oak Glen Cider Company (Yucaipa), Raging Cider (San Marcos)

How does California law treat cider?

Cider and perry count as wine under the state definition of wine as fermented juice of grapes or other agricultural products. [2] A licensed beer manufacturer "may manufacture cider or perry at the licensed premises of production and may sell cider or perry to any licensee authorized to sell wine", so you will find cider in some brewery taprooms too. [3] For the federal hard cider tax rate, a cider must be derived primarily from apples or pears, contain no other fruit or fruit flavouring, have no more than 0.64 g of carbon dioxide per 100 ml and be at least 0.5% but under 8.5% ABV. [5]

How do I narrow it down?

1. Apples. Ask whether a cidery presses local apples such as Gravenstein or brings fruit in; see do cideries use local apples and the glossary entry for cider apples.
2. Style. Heirloom and single-varietal ciders suit wine drinkers; fruited ciders are common in city taprooms.
3. Combine with wine country. Sonoma cideries sit among wineries, so a cider stop fits a wine-country trip. [4]
4. Ratings. Check how other drinkers rated the ciders on Cider Radar. For the northern neighbours, see how to choose a cidery in Oregon; for every state, where cider is made in the US.

Related answers: where cider is made in the US · do cideries use local apples

Find it on Cider Radar

• Cider makers in California: 77 makers listed (as of 2026-10-02).
• Guide: use the map · Glossary: cider apple
• You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
• Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android

Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.