Alicia Hardman
What happens when you leave your stable job to start making cider in your garage?
In this episode, Alicia Hardman of Shale Ridge Estate Winery and Cidery shares how a leap of faith turned into one of Ontario’s fastest-growing rural destinations. From pandemic pivots to tripling production, this is a story about risk, resilience, and building something extraordinary from the ground up. Listen now!
From Farm Roots to Shale Ridge: Alicia Hardman’s Journey Building a Winery and Cidery
Alicia’s connection to agriculture started early. She grew up just down the road from where Shale Ridge stands today on her family’s fruit farm.
Surrounded by orchards and the rhythms of farm life, Alicia always imagined creating something of her own one day. Years later, she and her husband Garren decided to turn that vision into reality. The couple purchased 13 acres of land near Alicia’s family farm and committed to building a winery and cidery together.
It wasn’t a small decision.
Leaving their full-time jobs meant taking a major financial and personal risk. Starting a winery and cidery from scratch required significant investment, extensive research, and a willingness to learn quickly. But they believed in the opportunity—and in each other, and so Shale Ridge was born.
Starting a Cidery in a Garage
Like many craft beverage success stories, Shale Ridge started small.
After researching the industry and obtaining the proper licenses, Alicia and Garren began producing small batches of cider in their two-car garage.
At the same time, they planted grapevines on their property. The soil on their land is rich in shale rock, which turned out to be ideal for growing grapes. While their grapes would take two to three years before producing wine-ready harvests, cider allowed them to launch sooner.
They sourced apples from Alicia’s family orchard and focused on creating cider.
Opening During the Pandemic
Shale Ridge officially launched its cider in the spring of 2020. Almost immediately, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted businesses across the country. For many entrepreneurs, it meant delaying plans or closing altogether.
Instead, Alicia and Garren adapted quickly. They introduced delivery and curbside pickup options and focused on connecting with customers online. Despite the uncertainty, they pushed forward and committed to making the business work.
The result surprised them. Their first summer was incredibly busy. Visitors began making the trip to their countryside location, drawn by social media buzz, word-of-mouth recommendations, and a growing interest in local experiences and staycations. By the end of that first season, they had tripled production.
Creating a Destination Experience
One unexpected discovery during their first summer was how much visitors wanted more than just cider. People were looking for an experience.
Located on a ridge with scenic countryside views, Shale Ridge quickly became a place where guests could slow down, relax, and enjoy time outdoors with friends and family. That realization helped shape the next phase of the business.
They began developing additional experiences on the property, including a Nordic spa designed to help visitors unplug and embrace a slower pace.
