Lynda Parrish’s Cider Journey From Root to Fruit

Lynda’s face is a familiar one in our taprooms, and if you’re lucky enough to have talked with her, you already have a sense of her quick wit and the joy that she takes in being co-owner and fearless leader of Portland Cider Company. Her path from her English roots to her current role has been long and winding, and we are so grateful the stars aligned to bring her to this point today!

Lynda’s love of cider took root in her native England home in Somerset, a region where most of the UK’s cider is made. Her passion for a proper pint of English cider stuck with her over the years, through her travels to Australia, Africa, and eventually, the U.S. While she spent time in Indiana, California, and Florida, the Pacific Northwest is what felt most like home to Lynda--and it just happens to be the best place in the world to grow apples! Little did she know at the time that moving to Portland was just another step towards Lynda’s career as a full-time cideress…

Lynda met Jeff in 2006, and while “Must Love Cider” wasn’t on her checklist for the perfect partner, it turned out to be an important connection between the two of them. Over pints and bottles of all sorts of ciders, the couple decided to try making their own. From there, everything moved quickly, and their dreams to leave their corporate jobs to make cider full-time came true much faster than expected! Eight years ago, they officially launched Portland Cider Company. They make cider, of course, but they’ve also created a powerful sense of community among their employees, fans and friends. 

Today, their ciders have won over 100 awards, and Lynda was recognized as the 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Clackamas Chamber of Commerce. Jeff and Lynda are hands-on owners who are involved in the day-to-day operations of the company (though the R&D tastings may be their favorite part), and they still get excited about new ciders and wild ideas. 

Asked if she would change anything if she could do it all again, Lynda simply replied, “There is no place we’d rather be than where we are today.”