Walking into Dragon’s Head Cider feels a little like stumbling into a secret. You’re greeted by a rustic tasting room pulsing with orchard-worthy charm, where bottles of crisp, artfully crafted cider line the shelves and conversation flows as easily as the pour. This isn’t just another trend-forward taproom—it’s agriculture, art, and sustainability in a glass.
Founded in 2010 by Wes and Laura Cherry, Dragon’s Head sticks to a traditional, old-school philosophy: no juice concentrate, no gimmicky flavors, just apples and pears lovingly grown, pressed, fermented, blended, and bottled all on-site. That hands-on whole-process approach shows—you taste the difference. Local reviewers can’t get enough, calling it “a nice cidery on Vashon” with a tasting lineup that spans ten distinct ciders per visit. One TripAdvisor fan even raved about sampling “ciders, perry, and Pommeau”—all in a row—and loving every sip.
Whether you’re at the cozy Uptown location or lounging in the orchard under apple trees and hammocks, the experience is straight-up seasonal soul food. At the tasting room, shareable plates pair beautifully with their ciders. Down at the orchard, you might picnic, sip, and watch clouds drift overhead. A Yelp review summed it up nicely: “Great spot for cider! They have quite a few varieties… outdoor space is a very nice spot too.”
There’s a serious artisanal side to Dragon’s Head. Their Wild Fermented cider, a bold experiment with native yeast, nabbed a bronze medal at the Great Lakes International Cider Competition. Homegrown cider lovers praise its quirky funk and balance; think lemon, pineapple, grapefruit with that dry, effervescent snap that reminds you glass wine can’t beat.
If you’re the type who enjoys tasting the soil with every sip, their Rosé is a must-try. Delightfully crisp, lightly tannic, with bright notes of peach and floral zest, it’s the kind of cider that makes you think, “Yeah, this is Vashon.” One reviewer called it “a wonderful first impression of fruity zinginess.”
From their award-winners to their cozy orchard retreat, Dragon’s Head Cider hits the sweet spot for locals and island visitors alike. Personally, I love that it’s both laid-back and intentional: chill picnic vibes paired with the kind of care only comes from owning every step of the process. It’s apples showing off exactly how good they can be—not masked, not filtered, just full-throated orchard clarity.
So if you’re craving something refreshing, rooted in place, and grown with integrity, pack yourself over to Dragon’s Head. Pull up a chair in the orchard or cozy up in Uptown. Either way, you’re guaranteed a sip of what puts Vashon on the cider map, in every sense of the word.
This feature is part of our ongoing series from the Vashon-Maury.com team, highlighting the unique businesses that make our island so special. If you own a local business and would like to be featured in the Observer, we invite you to submit an article for consideration at vashon-maury.com/submit-writing. Please include as much detail as possible about your business (what you offer, what sets you apart) and share a short story about how you came to Vashon or what inspired you to start your venture here. We’re proud to support the Vashon-Maury community and would love to help tell your story.
Author: Vashon Island
Vashon is an Island located between Tacoma and West Seattle. This account manages the vashon-maury.com website full on useful information for residents and visitors of the Island.
