Cider from Fjord Norway

If you drive along the roads of Fjord Norway in summer and autumn, you will find many stalls where you can buy a punnet of something delicious. In addition to fresh fruit, you will also find apple juice and jam that have been made along the fjords – and not least cider.

Hardanger and Sogn are particularly well known for their cider and fruit wine traditions, but you will also find cider producers in other parts of our region. Many local manufacturers have started selling their products in state wine-monopoly shops and in grocery stores. "Cider from Hardanger" has become the first alcoholic product in Norway to become a protected geographical indication. Cider has become very popular in recent years, and Norwegians haven’t bought as much locally produced alcohol since the 1930s.

Cider from south to north

In Fjord Norway, you can go on a cider safari in Hardanger and taste the traditional fruity ciders that are typical of the area, or you can head for the Sognefjord and enjoy a multitude of ciders made from pears, berries, rhubarb, hops, malt, honey or bitter cider apples. Further south, in Ryfylke, you can buy cider from farm shops and take part in cider tasting. The producers will introduce you to the local history, culture and production methods. You can buy local cider in a number of restaurants, which is a great alternative to foreign wines, both as an aperitif and to enjoy with your food.

Cider tasting in Ryfylke

In Ryfylke, apples have been cultivated for generations, but cider production is still relatively new. Even so, the producers here already managed to win medals at the prestigious CiderWorld Award in Frankfurt.

At the fruit farms, you can learn about fruit refinement, taste the products, and visit the charming farm shops.

Cider Tasting in Hardanger

Hardanger is the major fruit and apple-growing region in Western Norway. It’s also home to the country’s largest cider production.

Hardanger cider is even a geographically protected brand – just like champagne must come from Champagne, Hardanger cider must come from the lush mountainsides of Hardanger.

Along the fjord, you’ll find numerous fruit farms offering tastings and guided tours during the season. A golden opportunity to sample award-winning drops in some of the world’s most breathtaking surroundings.

Make it a journey!

To get the most cider out of your visit to the Hardanger region, a guided tour is highly recommended. Several of the cider-producing villages offer tours where you’ll be introduced to the different farms and their unique products.

Cider tasting in Sogn

If you are already in the Sognefjord area, it is also possible to book a tasting directly. Several producers have a set schedule during the summer season, and by appointment throughout the year. Visit the farms that grow the apples and produce the cider, and taste award-winning products of the utmost quality. Some also offer additional activities such as cultural walks, cooking classes and guided tours, to name a few.

A Taste of Northwest Norway

In the dramatic landscapes surrounding Geiranger, Ålesund and Kristiansund, you’ll also find apple farms and cider producers.

Visit a farm shop, join a guided tour, or take part in a cider tasting at one of the many producers – some of whom have even won medals at the Cider World Championships. Wander through apple orchards with views over the fjord and get a true taste of Northwest Norway from one of the many local producers.

Norwegian Cider through history

Norwegian cider production started a long time ago: A total of 54 apples were found in the queen’s grave during the excavation of the Oseberg ship. References are also made to apple orchards in the Icelandic sagas. The ancient Norwegian fruit was considered so valuable that stealing another man’s apples was a punishable offence! We find the first written account of growing fruit in Norway from Vik in Sogn. An episode dating from 1201 is mentioned in Sverris saga, which makes reference to an ‘Aldin orchard’ (Aldin is Norse for apple). Magnus the Lawmender’s city law from 1276 referred to "the King’s apple orchard" at Håkon’s Hall in Bergen. Growing apples appears to have subsequently become a widespread practice in Fjord Norway.

When people started producing cider and fruit wine is rather uncertain however. The Hamar Chronicle from around 1550 states that fruit wine and apple cider were sold before the Reformation. However, the Vikings already had a strong drink made from apples, berries, honey and herbs that they called "bjor".