Gowan’s Heirloom Cider operates from a 150-year-old family orchard in Philo, surrounded by rows of apple trees that have been producing fruit for generations. The tasting area sits just off CA-128 and offers shaded picnic tables, fire pits in colder months, and open views across the property.
Ciders are made on-site from heirloom apple varieties grown in the surrounding orchard. The tasting menu shifts by season and includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, with flavor profiles ranging from dry and tart to spiced or naturally sweet. All styles are pressed and fermented using traditional methods, without added sugar.
Visitors are welcome to explore the orchard on foot. The space is dog-friendly and picnic-friendly, with guests encouraged to bring their own food. Though the cider house doesn’t serve meals, the outdoor layout supports long stays and casual afternoons.
Interpretive signs and staff knowledge offer background on the cider-making process, heirloom cultivars, and the Gowan family’s multigenerational role in the region’s fruit farming history. The overall tone stays relaxed — part tasting room, part working orchard — anchored in place and tradition.
Gowan's Heirloom Cider