Devon's Wet Summer Boost for Cidermaking, says Sandford Orchards

The school summer holidays might well have been a bit of a washout in Devon, with bad weather contributing to a reported 20% downturn in tourist visitors but, for one Devon business, all the rain and wet weather resulted in a bumper apple harvest.

Barny Butterfield, who is the Chief Cidermaker at award-winning Sandford Orchards said: “A late cool spring followed by a flaming June was the perfect start for the apple growing season. 

"The wet July filled the water table as the fruit swelled and the late sun at the end of August and early September has really helped put us on track for bigger, sweeter and juicy apples, and lots of them, too! We are predicting the best harvest since 2018. In fact, this could potentially be our biggest harvest we have  ever had!”

This is an amazing and fantastic boost for the independent and fully family-owned Sandford Orchards, who are based in Crediton, Mid Devon, based in the oldest working cider mill in the entire UK. 

The weather patterns that played havoc with tourists' plans boosted both the quality and quantity of apples in their orchards. 

Barny elaborated: “More apples means more cider, which of course is great news for our business and customers but there's an additional bonus for us with this crop. Unlike mass-produced cider, which is mostly made using concentrates, we lovingly and carefully make our drinks using only raw juice, straight from our orchard. So tastier apples will mean even tastier cider! I can't wait to try the first batch!”

Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to the production of cider. Combining tradition and innovation, Sandford Orchards produces an award-winning range of core session, traditional, fine and fruit ciders.

For further information on Sandford Orchards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, follow Sandford Orchards on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.