«St-Nicolas Cidery is a family-run business that prioritizes quality over quantity, a success on a human scale.»
About 20 kilometres west of Quebec City, on the South Shore of the St. Lawrence River, Pierre Lafond and Patricia Daignault purchased a neglected property and began pursuing their dream in 1977. When they arrived, little suggested what the land would eventually become. They cleared it, planted apple trees and patiently tended their orchards, convinced that the terroir held unique potential for producing exceptional ciders.
In 1993, they founded Cidrerie St‑Nicolas. Soon afterwards, they obtained two Quebec permits allowing on-farm and in-store sales. Six years later, in 1999, they became the first producers in the world to bring ice cider to market. This distinctly Quebec product is made from apples left on the trees to concentrate their natural sugars as they freeze during winter.
In 1998, they registered the trademark “Cidre de glace St‑Nicolas Ice Cider,” the first of its kind in the world. Working with the National Research Council Canada (NRC), MAPAQ and Université Laval, they developed the cryoextraction process that would become the standard for the category.
Their cuvées soon began earning awards at provincial, national and international competitions. Today, their products have received numerous awards and achieved international recognition. They are available primarily through Quebec’s major grocery chains and SAQ stores, and are served in many fine-dining establishments.
At this family-owned business, a passion for the land and expertise passed down through generations have always guided every decision. Today, the next chapter is in the hands of Louise-Andrée Lafond and Jason Lepage, who officially took the reins of the cidery in May 2026. They share a commitment to preserving its carefully built legacy while continuing to create products recognized for their quality.
Raised among orchards and fermentation tanks, Louise-Andrée grew up with the rhythms of the cidery’s seasons. Her move into leadership is not an abrupt takeover, but a natural transition shaped by decades of learning alongside her parents, the company’s founders.
Jason is equally committed to the cidery’s future. Together, he and Louise-Andrée form a complementary team dedicated to helping Cidrerie St‑Nicolas flourish while honouring the values on which its reputation was built.
Their shared vision is to preserve the cidery’s craft spirit, warmly welcome visitors to the estate, continue developing exceptional cuvées and champion Quebec cider.
We honour the memory of the late Pierre Lafond, a tireless visionary who devoted his life to making this estate recognized worldwide for its craft cider, as well as the late Marie-Françoise Lafond, whose bold spirit and generosity left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her. Their legacy extends far beyond the walls of the cidery. It lives on in every apple harvested, every cider crafted and every visitor we welcome.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1977 | Founding of Société Sylvicole de Saint-Nicolas Inc. |
| 1993 | Founding of Cidrerie St-Nicolas by Pierre Lafond and Patricia Daignault |
| 1995 | Obtained dual permit for on-farm and retail sales |
| 1998 | Filed the trademark “Cidre de glace / St-Nicolas Ice Cider” |
| 1999 | First commercial launch of ice cider worldwide through the SAQ |
| 2026 | Taken over by Louise-Andrée Lafond and Jason Lepage |
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