Salt Spring Sips: Pour Decisions
Your guide to the best breweries, cideries, and distilleries on Salt Spring Island!
20 May, 2026 | 11 min read
Salt Spring Island is known for its laid-back charm, artistic spirit, and stunning natural beauty. But lately, it’s also been making a name for itself with something a little more… refreshing. From orchard-pressed ciders to small-batch spirits and island-brewed beer, Salt Spring’s craft beverage scene is bubbling over with flavour.
Getting there is half the fun! A 25-minute scenic flight with Harbour Air brings you right into the heart of Ganges, where your sipping adventure begins.
And right now, with Harbour Air's Hot Ticket Sale, one-way fares start from just $49.* Your next pour is closer than you think!
Garry Oaks Estate Winery
The Sip List
Whether you’re perched on a sunny patio overlooking the vines or tucked into a cozy tasting room, every stop invites you to stay a little longer, try something new, and maybe discover a favourite you didn’t see coming.
This is where the wild things fizz. Set on a farm with heritage apple trees and sweeping valley views, Salt Spring Wild makes artisanal craft cider from apples and pears grown right on the island. Fermented with wild yeasts and no added water, their ciders are bright, bold, and best enjoyed from the patio or over lunch and dinner in their welcoming restaurant.
Located in the Fulford Valley at the base of Mount Bruce, Salt Spring Brewing draws its water from a mountain spring directly above the facility. Their converted barn brewery has been a beloved destination for over 20 years, with a comfortable tasting room and a patio surrounded by trees where you can settle in and enjoy a pint at your own pace.
A family-run distillery on a 100-year-old hillside farm in the scenic Cranberry Valley, using local BC apples and the fresh mountain spring water that gives the distillery its name. Their small-batch spirits are crafted entirely from farm to bottle, and their walnut liqueur Nocino is gaining a well-deserved reputation.
A certified organic craft cidery doing things entirely their own way. More than 425 heritage and connoisseur apple varieties are grown and pressed on site, no sugar is added at any stage, and every drop is sourced from a single Salt Spring orchard. Traditional in style, mostly dry, and made with minimal intervention.
Salt Spring Shine Craft Distillery
Salt Spring Island's first licensed craft distillery. Every spirit here begins with the fermentation of 100% BC honey, giving their vodka, gin, and moonshine a distinctively smooth and polished character you will not find anywhere else. The tasting room is casual and welcoming, run by a family that built the whole operation by hand.
A boutique estate winery on a terraced vineyard overlooking the Burgoyne Valley. All wines are grown and produced on the 10-acre property, with no outside grapes ever used. Their Zweigelt, an Austrian red with a spicy black cherry character, is the standout of the cellar, and their Pinot Gris is celebrated for its crisp minerality and depth.
Getting Around
No car, no stress, no designated driver debates. The Salt Spring Island Artisan Trail Hop On Hop Off is a small-group shuttle experience that loops through 28 km of stunning scenery, connecting you to the island’s top artisan stops, Ganges Village, the Saturday Market, and more. Hop off, explore at your own pace, and hop back on when you’re ready for your next tasting.
Make a (pour) decision you won't regret.
Whether you’re sipping cider straight from the orchard, tasting spirits with a story, or enjoying a perfectly chilled beer in the valley, every glass on Salt Spring offers a true taste of the island.
Book your flight today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Salt Spring Island from Vancouver?
The fastest way is a scenic 25-minute seaplane flight with Harbour Air from Vancouver Harbour directly into Ganges Harbour! One-way fares start from $49* with our Hot Ticket Sale. No ferry lineup, no driving.
How long does a Harbour Air flight to Salt Spring Island take?
Around 25 minutes from Vancouver Harbour to Ganges Harbour.
What craft drinks can you find on Salt Spring Island?
Salt Spring has a rich craft beverage scene for an island its size, including Salt Spring Wild Cider House, Salt Spring Brewing Co., Ciderworks, Sweetwater Distilling Co., Salt Spring Shine Craft Distillery, and Garry Oaks Estate Winery.
Do I need a car to do a tasting tour?
Nope. The Salt Spring Island Artisan Trail Hop On Hop Off shuttle loops 28 km across the island, connecting Ganges Village, the Saturday Market, and all the best tasting stops. Hop off when something catches your eye, hop back on when you're ready. No designated driver negotiations required.
Can you fly to Salt Spring Island for a day trip?
Absolutely! The short flight time makes a day trip genuinely easy. Fly in, spend the day sipping and exploring Ganges, and fly home. Book an early departure and you'll have the full day.
When is the best time to visit Salt Spring Island?
Summer and early fall are peak season. Markets are in full swing, patios are open, and the island is at its most lively. The Saturday Market in Ganges runs from April through October and the island is buzzing.
*Based on select OW fares from Vancouver Airport YVR South to Ganges Harbour. Price all-incl. taxes & fees. Travel July 7 - Sept. 4, 2026. Book by May 28, 2026.