Our Ciderhouse
About Us
Meet Russ & Helen
Russ and Helen Johnson, proud owners of Truck 59 Ciderhouse, began their cider making journey three years ago, though their lives as orchard owners began a few years prior. Having grown up on a farm in Manitoba, Russ knew he wanted his family to have a similar upbringing and moved everyone to West Kelowna in 2011.
Russ’ background in science and passion for business perfectly positioned him to open a ciderhouse, but, it was also his desire for a creative outlet that brought him to cider making. Russ saw an opportunity to blend his professional experience with his love of food and drink to concoct a variety of cider blends that the current market had not seen the likes of.
Russ also recognized that this gap in the Okanagan market was an opportunity he could not ignore. While both the wine and craft beer industry have significant barriers to entry, as well as a saturated market, the cider making world appeared to be a lot less crowded.
It was this culmination of experience, passion and opportunity that eventually led to the opening of Truck 59 in 2017.
Why Truck 59
Supporting Our Local Firemen
There was more to opening Truck 59 than just creating outstanding ciders; Russ and Helen wanted to give back to the community.
For every bottle cap brought back to the ciderhouse and for every bottle opened in the tasting room, Truck 59 donates 10 cents to the West Kelowna Firefighters’ charity of choice! Truck 59 wanted to not only showcase firefighter memorabilia in their tasting room, but to align themselves with the kinds of charities that the firehall would support.
Ciderhouse
Truck 59 Ciderhouse
Named after the 1959 Chevy Fire Truck that stands centinel on site at the ciderhouse, Truck 59 is West Kelowna’s first cidery and specializes in handcrafted, small batch ciders <
When you enter the tasting room, you’ll immediately notice a wide array of firefighter memorabilia. Russ had been collecting the vintage pieces in his garage for years. When Helen finally said that the memorabilia had to be put to good use, Russ saw no better option than to create a brand around it! From firefighter helmets to antique fire trucks, you’re sure to find something that peaks your interest as you take everything in.
Boasting not only a tasting room, but plenty of outdoor space as well, the property at Truck 59 is perfect for your wedding or next event. If you are interested in hosting your next event at Truck 59, please contact Russ <
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a tasting, host your wedding or maybe spend at afternoon, Truck 59 is the perfect place to be. Not to mention that the fire truck out front is an attraction unto itself!
Our Tasting Room
Come Test Ours Products
Truck 59 ciders are handcrafted in small batches on site- from the production, to bottling and labeling, we do it all in-house. We take pride in our product.
Truck 59 ciders are full of flavour, highlighting the natural characteristics of our 100% BC produced apples. Using only premium bettersweet English and Dessert Cider varieties, every batch of cider is a perfect balance of subtle tannins and rich apple aromatics.
Stop by our ciderhouse in West Kelowna, open every day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for a cider tasting. We hope you enjoy tasting our ciders as much as we enjoyed crafting them.
