The Red Fox Cider Company has officially opened their doors along Brooklyn Street in Grafton, Kings County.
Janet Parker, owner of the newly opened Red Fox Cider Company, has resided in the Annapolis Valley most of her life. In the early 1980s, her family began their journey by planting apple trees in Grafton.
Over the years, they have continued to harvest a variety of apples on their land through CAP Farms, in hopes of eventually expanding with another stream of revenue.
Parker had a vision to help expand the family business but wanted it to be something for her. When the new interchange for Highway 101 in Cambridge was announced, she began sifting through different ideas that could be of value to the family legacy.
Overtime, Janet has been working to make this vision a reality. With many different ideas, she decided to open up a cider company.
While taking a course with the cider institute, making cider in the basement and getting a handle on the idea, ground broke in the middle of the family orchard in July 2024.
Her vision has since become a reality with construction being completed in December 2024 and the doors officially opening for business in March!
“It’s all produced here. The apples that we get are from the Annapolis Valley, pressed for juice at local packers and brought to the cidery. It’s then fermented here, and packaged all in house.” stated Parker.
For those who aren’t aware, alcoholic cider, often called hard cider, is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of apples. The main key ingredient to such a delicious cider is the juice from apples.
Currently, Red Fox Cider has two kinds of cider. An apple cranberry cider is called the Smart’n Tart and a semi-sweet, which is called the Original Vixen. It’s neat to note the term Vixen is a term used for a mother fox, matching the logo and idea behind the name of the cider company!
With both flavours available in bottle form on location they are also available on tap. You’re welcome to pop in during scheduled hours and have a taste before deciding if purchasing a bottle is for you!
Currently, Red Fox Cider is on tap at two locations in Nova Scotia. One being Hardisty Brewing Company in Dartmouth and another at The Union Street in Berwick.
Janet is looking to expand her craft for any other businesses who might be interested in having her cider on tap, which is available in kegs!
Stay tuned, Janet is working on some new flavours for production in the future.
“It is so important to support local when you can. All the apples used are going to be from my orchards and from other local growers.” Stated Janet.
With the cider company situated in an orchard and the weather improving, the location is quite comforting. Apple blossoms will soon be blooming, and an outdoor patio will be opening shortly. Those who visit are welcome to check out the property.
After some thoughts on the name of the company and the logo, it’s so common to see red foxes on farms. Parker well known for her red hair, soaked up the name and ran with it.
“This has been a dream of mine for a couple of years. It’s not often you can fulfill your dreams so quickly. It’s been so cool to do something and having people cheer you on.” Janet Parker stated, touching on the support she’s received from many friends and family since starting up the cider company.
Some merch, from hats, shirts and glasses, are all available to purchase on location.
Current hours are on Friday evenings from 5-8PM and on Saturdays from 12-6PM. These hours are expected to change in the summer.
Red Fox Cider will be hosting their Grand opening on Saturday, May 31st, from 12-8PM and also on Sunday, June 1st, from 12-5PM!
Feel free to pop by, check out the property, building and grab a taste of the new cider on the block!
📍5785 Brooklyn Street, Grafton, Kings County!
Adrian J.
