Central & Eastern Washington Cider Tour
Wenatchee, Chelan, Yakima, & Spokane
Welcome to the heart of Washington’s apple country, where orchard-covered hillsides, glacier-fed lakes, and mountain views create the perfect backdrop for a cider adventure. The Wenatchee Valley, Lake Chelan, and the Bavarian-inspired town of Leavenworth are home to cideries that celebrate Washington’s apple-growing heritage. Here, cidermakers draw on generations of orchard tradition to craft ciders that highlight the flavors of the region.
A Washington cidery tour through this area offers more than just a taste. It’s a journey into the state’s fruit-growing history. From sipping orchard-to-glass ciders in Wenatchee, to relaxing with lakeside pours in Chelan, to discovering alpine-inspired flavors in Leavenworth, visitors experience the unique flavors of Washington cider one glass at a time. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or outdoor recreation trip, these cideries invite you to slow down, explore, and savor cider at its source in “The Apple Capitol of the World.”
Start your Eastern Washington Cider Tour at Rootwood Cider Co., a family-owned cidery run by the Koenig sisters, Emily, Kate, and Anna. Perched on the shores of Lake Chelan, Rootwood Cider Co. builds on a family orcharding tradition that spans over a century in the Lake Chelan Valley. The sisters represent the fifth generation of Koenigs to tend apple orchards in Manson. The Rootwood team is hands-on in every step of cidermaking, from cultivating the trees to harvesting and crafting small-batch ciders (made 100% Rootwood grown apples) that capture the true flavors of the valley.
Visitors can enjoy tasting flights or glasses on the patio while taking in sweeping lake and mountain views, pairing them with small bites from the tasting room. Rootwood produces a combination of traditional and innovative ciders, from heirloom apple blends and single varietals to small-batch experimental flavors such as syrah-infused Rosé, honey-infused Pollinator, and ghost chili pepper-infused Golden Ghost. Each sip is an orchard-to-glass experience that celebrates Washington apple country. Lake Chelan is known for its 55-mile-long glacier-fed lake and abundant sunshine, and Rootwood offers a unique way to experience the region’s apple-growing history.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Small bites available on-site
✓ Tours available by appointment
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @rootwoodcider
Facebook: Rootwood Cider Co.
Next Stop: ~3 min drive to Cider Press
A short drive from Rootwood brings you to Cider Press, where families can create their own fresh-pressed non-alcoholic cider. Visitors pick apples, press their custom fresh cider to take home, and enjoy seasonal activities like bee tours and U-pick apples that bring the orchard to life. House-made gelato rounds out the experience, making this stop a fun, interactive taste of Lake Chelan apple country for all ages.
✓ Open May – October (Closed November – April)
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Small bites available on-site
✓ Tasting Flights of fresh-pressed cider
✓ Fresh-Pressed Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @visitciderpress
Facebook: visitciderpress
Next Stop: ~15 min drive to Endless Orchard Cider in Chelan
Just down the road in Chelan, Endless Orchard Cider offers a playful, community-focused tasting experience for friends, families, and pups alike. Their welcoming tasting room and spacious outdoor area invite visitors to linger with friends, kids, and dogs. Games on the lawn, a striking mural for that perfect photo, and events like Taco & Tunes Wednesdays make it as much a community hub as a cidery.
Featuring Arctic Apples®, a unique variety grown for crisp, clean flavor, Endless Orchard provides a memorable way to experience the bounty of the valley just minutes from historic downtown Chelan.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Food available on-site
✓ Tours available by appointment
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @endlessorchardhardcider @endlessorchardciderchelan
Facebook: Endless Orchard Cider
Next Stop: ~1 hr drive to Union Hill Cider Co. in East Wenatchee
Where to Stay
Lake Chelan offers a scenic base for exploring the region’s cideries (and over 40+ regional wineries!) Visitors can choose from waterfront resorts, cozy lodges, or vacation rentals to suit every preference. Staying in the area makes it easy to visit multiple cideries, enjoy the natural beauty of the valley, and plan a relaxed Washington cider tour.
Drive south from Chelan following the scenic Columbia River, winding past sun-drenched apple orchards, until you reach Union Hill Cider Co. in East Wenatchee, where a rich family tradition of cider-making comes to life. Here, every cider is grown, pressed, and bottled on site. This estate cidery sits among rolling orchards, where fourth-generation farmers celebrate an apple growing tradition that has been part of the family for over 50 years. Cider connects these farmer artisans with the community, resulting in small-batch creations that reflect the soil, sun, and rhythm of the valley.
The hilltop amphitheater comes alive on warm Friday nights with live music, good food, and sweeping views over the Columbia River. Each pour tells a story of patience, place, and the people who’ve shaped Washington’s apple country for generations. East Wenatchee offers visitors a rich variety of activities with hiking, biking and watersports all accessibly located within minutes of the cidery.
✓ Open Seasonally: February–November
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Food available on-site
✓ Tours by appointment
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @unionhillciderco
Facebook: Union Hill Cider Co
Next Stop: ~30 min drive to Yonder East in Cashmere
Head northwest from East Wenatchee, following the winding Wenatchee River through rolling hills, until you reach Yonder East, a lively taproom in up-and-coming Cashmere, Washington. Located just minutes from Yonder Cider’s Wenatchee production facility, the taproom offers 14 rotating ciders, including seasonal slushies, hot cider, and limited releases. A few local beers round out the menu, making it a great stop for all groups.
The vibe is casual and friendly, with events, rotating specials, and a strong community spirit that reflect Yonder’s playful approach to cider.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ No food on-site but guests can bring food from nearby
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @yondereast
Facebook: Yonder East
Next Stop: ~15 minute drive to Drive Row Cider by Goose Ridge in Leavenworth
From Cashmere, continue northwest along Highway 2, winding through the Wenatchee Valley, until you reach the charming alpine town of Leavenworth. Drive Row Hard Cider by Goose Ridge is located at the foot of the Cascade Mountains in the heart of Leavenworth’s Bavarian Village. Visitors can sip small-batch ciders on the patio while enjoying lively village streets, charming alpine town views, and the surrounding Cascade peaks. Inside, the tasting room is cozy and inviting, with a warm fireplace that makes every visit feel like a festive escape.
Leavenworth is a destination all its own. Wander streets lined with unique shops and German-inspired cafes, explore nearby hiking trails and river adventures, or plan your visit around seasonal celebrations from Oktoberfest to the Village of Lights. A stop at Drive Row is the perfect way to savor the flavors of the region.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ No food on-site but guests can bring food from nearby
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @driverowhardcider
Facebook: Drive Row Hard Cider by Goose Ridge
Extend the trip: ~2 hr drive south to Wheel Line Cider in Ellensburg or ~3 hr drive east to Liberty Ciderworks in Spokane
Where to Stay
Leavenworth offers lodging to suit every style of traveler. Cozy chalet-inspired rooms at the Bavarian Lodge put you in the heart of the village, while the adults-only Post Hotel provides a serene retreat with European-style wellness amenities. The Sleeping Lady along Icicle Creek blends rustic elegance with nature, perfect for a peaceful getaway, and the Hampton Inn offers modern comfort just minutes from downtown. Staying locally allows visitors to explore multiple cideries while enjoying Leavenworth’s alpine charm, seasonal festivals, and the beauty of the surrounding Cascade Mountains.
Travel south from Leavenworth on Highway 97 through the rolling foothills of the Cascades, watching orchards give way to the wide-open fields of Kittitas Valley. In the heart of this expansive landscape, Wheel Line Cider crafts dry, sparkling ciders from bittersweet and bittersharp apples grown in its own orchard. Visitors are welcomed to an outdoor tasting space framed by wide skies, wheat fields, and a refurbished Airstream serving as the bar. From barrel-aged blends to seasonal small-batch experiments, every cider celebrates craftsmanship rooted in land and labor.
✓ Open Seasonally: May – August, September – April open 3rd Saturday monthly
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Small bites available on-site
✓ Tours by appointment
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @wheellinecider
Facebook: Wheel Line Cider
Next stop: ~45 min drive south to Tieton Cider Works
Drive south from Ellensburg for about 45 minutes, rolling into the heart of the Yakima Valley, where wide orchards and sun-soaked fields set the stage for cidermaking at Tieton Cider Works. With 55 acres of cider-specific orchards, Tieton is one of the largest cider apple growers on the West Coast. Their tasting room in Yakima offers a welcoming space to sample a wide range of ciders, from single-varietals made with high-acid, tannic apples to fruit-forward blends.
Settle in for a cider-inspired meal featuring dishes like the Pot Roast Philly Sandwich, Bourbon Bacon Chicken Sandwich, and Caramel Apple Crunch Cake, or try one of their signature puff pastry Cider Bar Flats, available in five creative flavor combinations.
The experience extends beyond the glass. Tieton frequently hosts events, and the orchards themselves offer a beautiful backdrop on your drive to the tasting room. It’s a must-visit for anyone curious about the scale and creativity of orchard-based cider in Washington.
For a side adventure, hike the nearby Cowiche Canyon Preserve, where basalt cliffs, wooden bridges, and seasonal wildflowers offer a beautiful contrast to the orchard landscapes.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Food available on-site
✓ Tours by appointment
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @tietonciderworks
Facebook: Tieton Cider Works
Next stop: ~3 hr drive east to Liberty Ciderworks
After driving about three hours east from Yakima, crossing rolling hills and farmland of Eastern Washington, you’ll arrive in Spokane, where Liberty Ciderworks brings an urban edge and a sense of global inspiration to Northwest cider. Located in the heart of Spokane’s historic district, Liberty crafts award-winning, small-batch, native-yeast ciders that are never filtered, resulting in an expression of both orchard and artistry. Visitors can sample flights in the airy, industrial tasting room just steps away from where the cider is pressed and fermented. Every pour reflects a philosophy of minimal intervention and maximum flavor, showcasing apples from small family-run orchards across the region.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Food available on-site
✓ Regularly scheduled tours
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @libertycider
Facebook: Liberty Ciderworks
