Join The Ciderologist on a voyage to three of Somerset’s finest cider makers. Somerset is rightly heralded for its cider heritage and for its award-winning small makers – the epitome of English cider heartland.
Varying between farmhouse traditionalists and contemporary modernists, these makers share two central tenets – a reverence for the apple and a quest to produce the finest libations on the planet.
Bere Cider Company was founded in 1988 and has steadily grown but stayed true to its traditional roots. They have a focus on a single varietal ciders, with their Yarlington Mill SV winning Supreme Champion at the 2024 Royal Bath and West Show.
Harry’s Cider is a multigenerational cider maker from Long Sutton. The eponymous Harry, Son Toby and team are crafting award winning ciders, whilst making them easy drinking at the same time. And their brand new cellar door is one of the finest places to purchase and drink cider in the UK.
Somerset Cider Brandy Company is the brainchild of the legendary Julian Temperley who started making cider brandy at Burrow Hill farm, in Kingsbury Episcopi, in 1989. Half of sister cider from sister company, Burrow Hill, goes into making the aged spirits and mistelles. We’ll explore the ciders and sample the spirits directly from the barrel.
A hearty ploughman’s lunch of local produce will also be provided during the day with VG and GF options available.
PICK UP: 10:00am – 2 Castle Way, Taunton, TA1 4AH (between Mecca Bingo and Apple & Parrot Pub)
DROP OFF : 17:00pm – 2 Castle Way, Taunton, TA1 4AH
Join The Ciderologist on a voyage to three of Herefordshire’s finest cider makers. Home to the largest acreage of cider apple orchards, and greatest volume of cider produced, anywhere in the world, Herefordshire is equally heralded for its cider heritage and for its award-winning small makers.
Varying between farmhouse traditionalists and contemporary modernists, these makers share two central tenets – a reverence for the apple and pear, and a quest to produce the finest libations on the planet.
Little Pomona Cider & Orchard is on the front line of creating ciders that exude all the elegance, finesse and character of wine. Through a boundary pushing attitude, top quality fruit and the use of ex-wine and ex-spirit barrels, an incredible range of small batch ciders are created
Oliver’s Cider & Perry is renowned throughout the world for bold, intense and masterfully blended ciders and perries. Guided by the masterful touch of founder and cider maker, Tom Oliver, these drinks are a pure expression of the Herefordshire landscape and cultural heritage.
Townsend Cider is more celebrated for its apple juice but has been steadily gaining a reputation for natural ciders of intensity and complexity. Utilising both tannic rich cider apples and dessert apples from the farm gives Jamie Hall the opportunity to have real playfulness and creativity,
A hearty ploughman’s lunch of local produce will also be provide during the day with VG and GF options available.
At the end of the tour, participants will be offered the opportunity to be dropped off back at the Green Dragon Hotel, or to continue on to the Yew Tree Inn, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye. This award winning cider pub is home to the Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Co, will be serving excellent pizzas and will also be hosting its monthly cider club*. All info can be found via this link.
*purchasing a tour ticket does not confer entry to the cider club – please purchase separately where the final event of the Hereford Apple Festival will be taking place.
PICK UP: 10:30am – Green Dragon Hotel, Broad Street, Hereford
DROP OFF (1): 17:00pm – Green Dragon Hotel, Broad Street, Hereford
DROP OFF (2): 17:30pm – Yew Tree Inn, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye
COST: £99 per person
What’s included:
– full transportation for the day
– expert hosting, commentary and guidance from The Ciderologist
– exclusive, behind the scenes access to Oliver’s, Little Pomona and Newton Court
– tasting multiple ciders through the course of the day
– Ploughman’s lunch
