143: Perry & Cider at Windswept | Georgian Bay, CA

143: Perry & Cider at Windswept | Georgian Bay, CA

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist August 29, 2018 Duration: 1:02:10

There is Perry being made in Georgian Bay, Ontario! Windswept Orchard Cider is 2 years old (founded in 2016) and is the creation of Mark Skinner,  wife Courtney and their two kids. This couples background is culinary cooking which is part of the inspiration for the cidermaking and their ability to tend to orchards. The 100 acre farm is located in the souther region of Georgian Bay.

They planted over a 1000 apples varieties of the cider making kind. While those dwarf apple trees are growing: read not yet producing as it takes around 3-5 years to really start getting apples. This enterprising couple is scrumping apples, and discovering "Lost Orchards" in their surrounding area.

From what Mark tells us this area of Canada has a lot of heritage apples trees. Mark works up a yearly rental agreement with landowners to pick the apples. And there are also lots of pear trees and they are tannic enough to make some mighty fine Perry.

Mark works full time at a vineyard and part time on Windswept.

All the cider are bottle conditions "Partly because we love the bubbles and because we don't have the equipment to do otherwise."

Find Windswept Orchard Ciders

  • Visit their online store -link is below
  • local farmer's markets
  • -in Toronto at Wynchwood Barn

Contact for Windswept Orchard Cider

Mentions in this chat

Please Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving!


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

Cider Chat
Podcast Episodes
418: Creative Cider Branding Tips with Cultivar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:25
Paving a Path for Cider Branding at Cultivar Meet Kirk Evans, the founder of Cultivar Creative. In this episode, Kirk shares his journey from a casual cider maker to a professional brand designer specializing in cider pa…
416:Cider Symphony w/Bach in a Bottle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:26
Crank the Bach & Go Boating with Green Bench in Hand Brian Wing of Green Bench Mead and Cider is a classical music fan. Green Bench is located in Saint Petersburg, Florida and Brian was recently on episode 398 which is a…
415: Cider Hybrids |Cider Nothings or Cider Somethings? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:33
What exactly are Cider Hybrids Exploring Cider Hybrids and Co-ferments as recored at a panel discussion at CiderCon 2024. The terminology for this category is still developing, reflecting the innovative and experimental…
414: B Corp Certified Businesses | Solar, Candle, Coffee & Cider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:19
Businesses Certified as a B Corp Stand Out! Explore the benefits of B Corp certification with leaders from solar, candle, coffee, and cider industries. Learn about their challenges and successes in creating positive soci…
413: Ancestral Methods in Cider Making [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:14
Is Ancestral Method different than Pet Nat? This panel discussion on Ancestral Method was moderate by Nicole Leibon of LeNosse Knows consultation. She was joined by Yann Gilles, a French cider consultant, Levi Danielson…
412: Cider Dispatch | Big Fish, VA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
Find the latest Cider Dispatch from Highland County Virginia Cider Bon Vivant Reporter Al Sax provide a cider dispatch report from Monterey Virginia. This area of Virginia is known as Highland County and it is here that…
411: Curative Options for Cider Making Problems | CiderCon 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:51
Technical Tips for When Things Go Wrong with Cider Making This episode features two cider professionals and a cider industry consultant, which is exactly who you need a direct line to when your cider has problems. Hear f…
410: International Perry Panel | CiderCon 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:26
Cider's Best Friend is Perry Enjoy this panel discussion "Pear Necessities: International Perry recorded at CiderCon 2024. The panel was moderated by drinks writer, Adam Wells of the UK. Sitting to his right was Tom Oliv…
409: Cider's Pilot Guy & Intel Girl | Olympic Bluffs, WA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:05
Escape to Olympic Bluffs a Dream Vacation Destination Olympic Bluffs Cidery & Lavender Farm is located on the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. The farm is on a bluff that overlooks the Salish…