Cider culture shines at seventh annual Central Coast Cider Festival

By Hayley Mattson · Thu Aug 28 2025

More than 20 cider makers, live music, and a sold-out connoisseur experience brought hundreds to Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens for a weekend celebrating craft, community, and the evolving world of cider

Feature Image courtesy of Black Hand Cellars

ATASCADERO — The seventh annual Central Coast Cider Festival transformed Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens into a lively celebration of craft, flavor, and community on Saturday, Aug. 23. Drawing cider enthusiasts from across California, the festival once again highlighted the growing presence of cider culture on the Central Coast while cementing its reputation as one of the state’s premier niche beverage events.

From 4 to 8 p.m., more than 20 cider makers — from as far north as Sebastopol to as far south as Los Angeles — poured their best creations for hundreds of guests eager to explore the evolving world of cider. Attendees sampled everything from traditional dry varieties to inventive fruit-forward blends, often poured directly by the makers themselves.

“It was the highest number of cider producers we’ve seen at the event,” said Andres Nuno, owner of En Fuego Events, which manages the festival on behalf of the Central Coast Cider Association. “For cider enthusiasts, it’s really rare to have this many producers gathered in one place. That’s what makes this festival so unique.”

This year introduced the Connoisseur Ticket Experience, an exclusive addition designed for cider’s most devoted fans. The ticket sold out its limited 30 spots, offering guests a behind-the-scenes immersion into the craft.

On Friday evening, participants gathered at Bristol’s Cider/Lone Madrone Winery for an intimate kickoff that included an educational session with a local apple grower, a guided tasting led by a certified pommelier (the cider world’s equivalent of a sommelier), and a communal feast featuring a whole pig roast. Guests also gained access to a rare “Meet the Makers” bottle share, where cideries unveiled small-batch, specialty pours typically reserved only for industry insiders.

“Connoisseur ticket holders got to experience something usually only open to cider producers,” Nuno explained. “It was really intimate, really educational, and it gave them the chance to connect with the makers in a personal way.”

By Saturday afternoon, the Sunken Gardens were brimming with energy. Live performances by The Murder Hornets and DJ sets by Traffic Records kept the crowd moving between tastings. Guests spread out on the grass, enjoyed local food vendors, and browsed artisan booths — all while sipping ciders under the shade of the historic downtown trees.

Now in its second year at the Sunken Gardens, the location has proven to be a hit. “Being outside just adds a little more ambiance,” Nuno said. “People loved sitting under the trees or on the grass, listening to live music, and enjoying the whole atmosphere. It’s a beautiful way to showcase cider.”

While the festival drew just over 300 ticketed guests, organizers see that as a strong turnout for such a specialized niche. The Central Coast, and San Luis Obispo County in particular, has become a hub for cider producers, making the region an ideal host.

Still, Nuno said one of next year’s goals is to broaden the audience beyond the cider faithful. “Right now, the event is built around cider drinkers,” he said. “But there are so many styles of cider that people don’t know about. We want non-cider drinkers to come out and experience it for themselves. A lot of people only think of that overly sweet apple cider they tried in college, but that’s not representative of what cider is today.”

This year welcomed several new cideries to the lineup, including Honest Abe Cidery, Southern California Cider Company, Anna’s Cider, and Betty Boy Brewing. Wildfields Brewhouse of Atascadero also joined as the festival’s sole brewery, a move Nuno suggested could expand in future years to highlight more of the local beer community alongside cider.

For producers, the festival is just as exciting as it is for attendees. “I had cider makers telling me they couldn’t believe so many of their peers were in one place,” Nuno said. “At other festivals, you might see one or two cider producers mixed in with breweries. But to have this many cideries together — it’s special. As one cider association leader put it, you’re more likely to find a four-leaf clover in the orchard than this many cider options in one place.”

The Central Coast Cider Association hopes to see more support at the state level in future years, with the potential for the California Cider Association to take a larger role in promoting the event. For now, Nuno and his team are focused on continuing to grow the festival’s reputation and reach.

Next year’s date is still to be determined, pending the city’s scheduling of Dancing in the Streets, a downtown event that the cider festival typically follows. But one thing is certain, the Central Coast Cider Festival will return in August 2026, bringing with it another round of discoveries for both seasoned cider fans and newcomers alike.

In the meantime, Nuno encourages the community to continue exploring cider year-round. “Even if you couldn’t make it to the festival, there are some incredible local cider makers right here in San Luis Obispo County,” he said. “Go visit a tasting room, try something new — you’ll be surprised at the variety and quality that’s out there.”