SIDERBAR BERGEN
Sogn is a fertile region with a long tradition of apple cultivation and artisanal cider production. The sunny mountainsides and mild climate produce apples with rich flavor and well-balanced acidity. Here, producers combine local knowledge with modern methods to craft ciders that reflect the region’s unique nature and culture. Cider from Sogn now holds a protected geographical designation.
Amble Farm, located in Kaupanger at the innermost part of the Sognefjord, operates organically with fruit, fodder, tourism, forestry, and hunting. The farm has 35 acres of organic apples—Aroma, Discovery, and Eden varieties—planted densely and renewed between 2017 and 2022.
The apples are harvested both for sale through Sogn Frukt og Grønt and for the farm’s own press, built in 2022. Here, juice and cider are produced, pressed and pasteurized on-site, creating an authentic local product that captures the flavors of the fertile Sognefjord valleys.
Balholm in Balestrand, in the heart of beautiful Sogn, has a long tradition of fruit cultivation, with the cool climate giving the apples a fresh acidity and intense flavor. Since 2004, Åge and Eli-Grete Høyvik have developed Ciderhuset, a pioneering destination for Norwegian cider, fruit wine, and fruit spirits—many of the products have won awards both in Norway and across Europe. Today, the farm is run by their son Gard and his wife Tuba, and during the summer, visitors can experience the farm firsthand. Balholm combines tradition and innovation, offering unique tasting experiences that allow guests to take home a true taste of Sogn.
Norane Fruit Farm is south-facing along the Sognefjord, near the site of the historic “Battle of Fimreite” in 1184. The farm enjoys ideal conditions for fruit cultivation and produces juices and ciders inspired by local traditions, including 1184 Sognamost and the cider “Gjest,” named after both hospitality and the Sogndal outlaw Gjest Baardsen. Since taking over in 2000, the farm has developed from a fruit supplier into a full-scale producer of local beverages and is part of the growing interest in cider traditions in Sogn.
Bolstad Neverdal Fruktgard
The Bolstad/Neverdal family in Skjolden, Luster, runs the historic orchard “Edens Hage,” established in the early 1900s by the “Juice King” Halvard Drægni. Today, around 1,600 apple trees, along with pears, plums, blackcurrants, and redcurrants, are ready to produce flavorful fruit. After completing cider courses and joining the Sogn Fruit and Cider Guild, the family is now looking forward to launching their first vintage cider from Edens Hage—a true taste of Sognefjord’s fertile traditions.
At Haug Farm in Fimreite, at the innermost part of the Sognefjord, visitors can experience farm life and taste our award-winning cider, Odelsgut—a true taste of the Sognefjord’s fruit and traditions. Here, authentic farm experiences are combined with nature, animals, and historic surroundings, just 21 km from Sogndal. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy refreshing drinks, learn about cider production, and become part of the farm’s living history.
Ølmheim Cider Orchard is beautifully situated along the Sognefjord, midway between Sogndal and Leikanger, and is run by Sigrid Ølmheim and Endre Kleiveland. Here, apples, pears, and plums are grown under optimal conditions, with mild winters and warm summers, giving the fruit a long ripening period and a perfect balance of acidity, aroma, and sugar. The cider is made using the traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle, resulting in a fresh, fruity flavor with rich character and aging aromas—a true tasting experience from the orchards of the Sognefjord.