Ontario Craft Cider Competition

Ontario Craft Cider Competition

OFVC is pleased to present the Annual Craft Cider Competition featuring Ontario cider businesses from across the province. A commercial producer for the purpose of this competition is considered a producer with a manufacturer's license issued by Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Where: OFVC-Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Why: Build your brand through exposure, recognition, and feedback.

  • Medals awarded for gold, silver and bronze category winners.
  • Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention website and social media recognition.
  • Promotion through various industry social media channels.
  • Anonymous feedback provided by judges to cider entrants (if requested).

Eligibility Requirements

  • Advanced registration required by Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Register above.
  • Cider must be made with 100% Ontario apples.
  • Fee: $25 + HST per entry.
  • Maximum 1 entry per business per category, up to 4 categories.
  • Quantity of cider to be shipped in advance should be at least 1500ml.
  • Entries received beyond dates outlined below will be disqualified.
  • Entries are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis, and limited spots are available (max. 15 spots per category).

Cider Delivery

Entries must be 1500mL (or equivalent). Ensure all ciders are labelled directly on container – no neck tags.

Cider must be received by Wednesday, February 11, 2026 to:

Attn: Kelle Neufeld
Ontario Apple Growers
1634 South Service Rd.,
St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P9
905-688-0990

ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES - ONLY 1 ENTRY PER CATEGORY IS PERMITTED

  1. Modern Cider

    Modern 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
  2. Fruit and/or Botanical Cider

    Fruit and/or Botanical Cider includes:

    1. Fruit Ciders: made from 100% Ontario apples with other fruits or fruit juices.
    2. Botanical Ciders: made from 100% Ontario apples with spices, herbs, and/or vegetables.
    3. Fruit/Botanical blends: made from 100% Ontario apples and contain other fruits or fruit juices and spices, herbs, and/or vegetables.

    Entry specifications:
    • Carbonated (either naturally or artificially will be accepted)
    • Final Gravity: 0.995 – 1.020
    • ABV: 5 – 10%
    • PH 3.3 – 3.8

  3. Hopped/Barrel Aged Cider

    Hopped or Barrel Aged Cider includes:

    1. Hopped Ciders: made from 100% Ontario apples infused with hops.
    2. 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

  4. Traditional/Heritage Cider

    5. 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.

    1. May include wild/crab apples locally sourced for added acidity/tannin balance.
    2. May or may not be made by spontaneous fermentation.
    3. May commonly have gone through malo-lactic (MLF) fermentation.
    4. 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 Key Dates

  • Online registration deadline: Wednesday, February 4th
  • Cider Shipping Deadline: Wednesday, February 11th
  • Competition Date & Time: Tuesday, February 17th @ 1:00 pm

Questions?

2026 WINNERS

Modern Craft
1st - Georgian Hills Vineyard - Ardiel Dry Apple Cider
2nd - Reinhart's Cider - Red Apples Strong Cider
3rd - Vieni Estates - Sparkling Apple Cider

Specialty Craft – Fruit/Botanical
1st - Loch Mor Cider Co. - Harrison Spritz
2nd - Slabtown Cider - Legendary Cherry
3rd - Spy Cider House & Distillery - Conspiracy Theory

Specialty Craft – Hopped/Barrel Aged
1st - Farmgate Cider - Honey &Hops
2nd - Hounds of Erie Winery - Dog House
3rd - Slabtown Cider - Barrel Aged Chardonnay

Heritage Craft
1st - West Avenue Cider Limited - Heritage Dry
2nd - Farmgate Cider - Russet
3rd - Hounds of Erie Winery - Best in Show

Questions?