Our Story
We are a Craft Cidery located in Charlottetown, PEI. Our mission is to create a sustainable, natural and profitable product infused with friendship and fun from the first blossom to the last sip.
Red Island Cider started by two friends with a vision but has become something much bigger. Here at the Island’s coziest taproom, you’ll find great cider, yes, but also a gathering place, a supporter of local food systems, and friends who believe craft and community are paramount.
The Beginning
Red Island Cider started the way a lot of good Island stories do. Two childhood friends reconnecting over a shared vision.
Robert and James grew up together in rural PEI, building forts and playing soccer and skiing together. Life took them in different directions during their teenage and young adult years. Robert spent years as a photographer documenting climate change and adventure across thirty countries for publications like National Geographic Traveler and Canadian Geographic. James became a national mountain bike champion and physiotherapist, eventually settling in Ottawa.
In 2016, James found himself on the patio of a cider house in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Looking out at the rolling hills, he thought: “We could do this in PEI.” A phone call later and Red Island Cider was born.
We opened in May 2019. James moved on shortly after to pursue other opportunities. But what we’d started together kept growing.
What We Create
We craft award-winning ciders that have earned international recognition. Our flagship Father Walker’s Dry has become the Island’s premium craft cider—crisp, sophisticated, and traditionally made. The Devonport offers bold complexity and is a local favourite. Our Lady’s Slipper Rosé is the highlight of many an Island summer patio. Limited releases push our boundaries and keep things fresh (or funky), both for us and for visitors.
Our favourite cider is the next one.
What Makes Us Different
We’re the local premium option that’s nimble, award-winning, and deeply rooted in community.
The craft beverage world continues to grow and evolve, and we stay focused on what matters: craft beverages should be made with integrity. We support local growers, experiment with new ideas, and create ciders that reflect the character of this place. We’re not going to be the biggest, but we strive to be the best at what we do and the most connected to who we serve.
If you care about craft, community, and authenticity, then you’re exactly who we made this for.