Sandford Orchards Launches Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards 2025

Sandford Orchards has just launched the 2025 Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards which offer aspiring cider makers the chance to win an invaluable package of advice, guidance and guaranteed listings in the on and off trade. 

These unique awards, which are now in their fourth year, are free to enter, open to cider makers who are producing between 3,000 and 50,000 litres of cider or perry per year. 

The awards are aimed at supporting the future of cider in the UK. The closing date is 31st January 2025,so cider makers? Get your applications in ASAP!

Says Barny Butterfield, who is the Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards and founder of the awards: ”When we launched the inaugural Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards at the end of 2019, we had no idea they'd prove to be such a massive success. 

"I launched the awards because I wanted to give something back to the industry that I love and I wanted to ensure fledgling cider makers, who share my passion for real cider, were given the opportunity to thrive."

He went on to say: "Business is undoubtedly tough and it can be really daunting trying to get started. We're obviously keen to support emerging cider makers in order to secure the future of quality cider enjoyment for generations to come and the response since the launch in 2019 has been incredibly encouraging. There's really a hugely talented pool of new cider makers in the UK and we are looking forward to meeting more of them as part of the 2025 awards process.”

The Breakthrough Cider Maker Award entrants will be judged by industry experts including Tom Oliver, Gabe Cook and Mary Topp and the winner will receive a prize package that includes a £500 Vigo voucher, a listing at their local Stable Pizza, a listing at The London Cider House, a Sandford Orchards collaboration limited edition cider and a visit by Sandford Orchards' cider makers to offer practical help and advice about set up. 

The two runners up will both receive a £200 voucher from Bag In Box Shop UK and all three winners will receive a 12 month listing at Darts Farm, Devon and a 12 month listing on www.sandfordorchards.co.uk. Plus, everyone who enters will receive personalised, practical and actionable feedback and advice.

Andy Jenkins (pictured) from Ganley and Naish, the most recent winners of the award comments: “Winning the award proved to myself that I can make cider, and more importantly produce cider to a good standard. As silly as it might sound to some, having peer approval has been hugely validating. Being in the company of amazing previous winners and runners up, is an exclusive club that I'm going to cherish forever.”

Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist and awards' judge adds: “It's a genuine pleasure and a real joy to be part of these utterly unique and crucial Breakthrough Cider Awards. 

"To give small cider makers not only a platform to shine, but to have real financial and technical support is fabulous. Bravo to Sandford Orchards for, not for the first time, thinking about the big picture and giving something back to the cider community.”

The Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards were launched by Sandford Orchards at the end of 2019 and aim to recognise and celebrate excellent quality whole juice ciders from all over the UK. 

A spokesman for Sandford Orchards said: We'd like to thank Vigo, The Bag In Box Shop, The Stable and The London Cider House for their support and prize donations.

For further information on the Sandford Orchards Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk/cider-awards or follow Sandford Orchards on Twitter, Facebook and  Instagram.

Sandford Orchards' Devon Red Cider Scoops More Awards

Fiercely independent and proudly family-owned Sandford Orchards  is celebrating two more awards for its hugely popular session cider, Devon Red. 

It's just scooped a well-deserved Gold at the Food Drink Devon Awards and a Silver at the Great British Food Awards. These are in addition to the Gold it was awarded at the Taste of The West Awards earlier this year.

Says Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards: “Devon Red's our flagship cider and the one that is most well-known and widely adored by our fans. 

"Just last year it was voted 'best drink' by the readers of Food Lifestyle Magazine. However, we are sometimes, perhaps, a little complacent about just how good it is. 

"So this year, we decided to put this to the test with the professionals and entered it into three award competitions. We are thrilled to say it's returned victorious from each one. Across the board, the judging panels, which included some leading drinks experts, recognised Devon Red as an award-winning cider.” 

Devon Red (ABV 4.5%) is a naturally tasty and utterly delicious, crisp and fruity cider. It takes its name from the rich red Devon soil that gives the orchards their distinctive quality. It's a refreshing, balanced apple cider packed with the juice of Farmers Glory, Dabinett and Sweet Alford apples, all grown and pressed within Devon.

The Great British Food Awards were launched in 2014 to celebrate the country's finest artisanal produce, as well as the hard-working people behind the scenes. 

This year's awards were judged by some incredibly high profiled industry experts including michelin-starred chefs, Raymond Blanc and Michele Roux junior and TV personality and drinks expert, Olly Smith.

The Food Drink Devon Awards, now in their 13th year, celebrate the best food and drink the region has to offer. This year over 340 products were judged by a panel of independent, unbiased experts which included renowned drinks writers Fiona Beckett and Susy Atkins and TV drinks presenter, Andy Clarke.

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Crediton sits in the lee of the moors, so receives just the perfect amount of rain and the right units of heat during the summer months.

Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing 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 X, Facebook and Instagram. 

Sandford Orchards Triumphs With 'Lost Apple' Ciders at UK's Oldest Cider Competition

Sandford Orchards is celebrating a massive victory at the Devon County Show after winning a stunnig seven out of a potential nine medals, Reserve Champion and Supreme Champion with ciders created using ancient apple varieties  which were recently discovered as part of Sandford Orchards' innovative DNA mapping project.

Said Barny Butterfield, founder of Sandford Orchards: “ We were able to press long-forgotten apple varieties which were discovered whilst we were working with the University of Bristol to uncover and preserve lost cider apple cultivars. 

"We entered the resulting ciders into The Westcountry Cider Championships: And they swept the board! We're really thrilled with earning these medals which are a celebration of our efforts to find and rescue the very best apples that produce the most delicious cider.”

Sandford Orchards is leading a DEFRA funded Innovate UK project with Keith Edwards, Emeritus Professor of Crop Genetics at Bristol University, to identify and map apple varieties in their ancient orchards and beyond. 

By punching a tiny hole in leaves from individual trees, they are obtaining samples for DNA fingerprinting from thousands of apple trees with the aim of locating, preserving and propagating unique and threatened varieties. The results of their research will assist them in efforts to save lost apple trees and plan for diversity and climate-resilience in their orchards.

Barny adds: "This is beyond exciting, we were hoping we'd uncover something special, but we never imagined that the results would be so strong. 

"There's been tragic, generational loss of orchards in the West of England, with glorious varieties quietly disappearing from our landscape, and, of course, with them recipes of centuries of cider makers. This stops right now!

"To my mind this is an utterly remarkable result, a rebuke from the old orchards. I feel we've been neglecting our role as custodians, we've simply forgotten to listen and to look and to taste, and here is the most fabulous evidence of what can be done if we make the effort to understand the huge diversity of fruit we have at our fingertips."

James Crowden, cider maker and author of 'Cider Country' was one of the cider judges at the show. He says: “This cider is rich, complex, fruity with depth and subtlety reminiscent of cider from 50 years back. It celebrates the rich harvest from old Devon cider apple trees whose names we've forgotten.  It's a blast from the past and a stepping stone into the future!'

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

Sandford Orchards team up with top scientists to study apple trees

Award-winning cider maker, Sandford Orchards, has partnered with leading scientists from Bristol University to identify and preserve ancient apple varieties across the UK. 

After a compelling small scale trial, Sandford Orchards has tendered for and won a competitive bid to receive a grant from DEFRA to grow this research and they are now leading the way nationally, including heading up a project at RHS Rosemoor. 

Said Barny Butterfield, who is Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards: “Of course, apples are at the heart of everything that we do. Our cider mill is the oldest working cider mill in the entire UK and some of our orchards are centuries old. 

"We take our stewardship of these precious natural wonders very seriously indeed and we're obviously delighted to be unlocking some of the secrets of these and other orchards that have long been forgotten about.

"This ground breaking research aims to fingerprint thousands of apple trees in order to locate and propagate unique and threatened varieties.”

Sandford Orchards will work closely with Keith Edwards, Professor of Crop Genetics at Bristol University to identify and map the apple varieties. 

By punching a minute hole in leaves from individual trees, his team is able to collect samples for DNA testing, while geographically tagging the particular tree using the What3Words geo-positioning system. His team will spend the spring and summer taking DNA samples from thousands of apple trees and the aim is to share the results of the project by next autumn.

The research isn't limited to Sandford Orchards' own apple trees, as the team hopes to gain a broad national picture. RHS Rosemoor has already signed up to the project and Barny and Professor Edwards will be sampling their Devon Collection of apples as part of the research project, too.

Lawrence Weston, RHS Rosemoor Professional Work Placement Student from RHS Rosemoor said: “Orchards are ecologically essential to Britain as oases for wildlife and a fantastic nectar source for pollinators. 

"Traditional orchards have severely declined since 1900 and in the last three years alone the UK has lost 1,000 acres of orchard, which not only has a significant impact on wildlife but affects the diversity of the UK's apples. RHS Rosemoor's Devon Collection orchard is dedicated to conserving rare regional apple cultivars and this research will help shape our plans for the future.”

Barny continued: “By mapping apple trees we'llbe able to preserve them for generations to come. This information will help us plan for diversity and climate-resilience in our orchards and secure many more centuries of cider enjoyment. 

"You actually only need one apple tree to propagate a whole new orchard so once we've identified key varieties that should be increased, we can start planning for the future. The outcome can only be positive for the environment and for cider-lovers.”

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

This Valentine's Day say "no" to wine, Champagne or Prosecco. But say "yes" to Sandford Orchards' Devon Rosé Cider & Katja Rosé

Spring, including the day for lovers and sweethearts the world over, Valentine's Day, heralds the premium cider-drinking months and award-winning Sandford Orchards has two perfectly pink options to quench your thirst for authentic cider: Devon Rosé  and Katja Rosé.

Devon Rosé Cider (ABV 4%, 500ml bottles RRP £2.85.

Devon Rosé is an elegantly clean and fresh rosé cider, bursting with the fruitiness of Pinot Noir red wine grapes. It is a delicious, medium sweet cider made from Browns, Katja and Jane apple varieties which are fermented with grape skins to give the cider a fabulous depth of flavour and a beautiful blush colouring. 

It can be enjoyed on its own or as the ideal accompaniment for a goat cheese tart or Devon high tea.

Katja Rosé (ABV 8%, 750ml bottles RRP £11.00.

Katja Rosé is a sumptuous sparkling skin-contact rosé cider, crafted from the dessert apple Katja  produced using the Martinotti method and fermented with Rondo grapes. It is a fresh and fruity cider which tastes of sun ripened cherries and peaches, with hints of apple blossom and candyfloss, balanced with tannins from the wineskins. 

he addition of the Rondo grapes bestows wine notes and an unmistakable rosé finish to the cider. Katja Rosé is a delight in its own right but also the perfect accompaniment to lighter fare such as high tea or a salad niçoise.

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK.

For further information on Sandford Orchards, or to place your order, please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, follow Sandford Orchards on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram. 

Devon's Sandford Orchards' Cider Set to become globetrotters, travelling the world with Cunard

Award-winning Sandford Orchards has just announced that Cunard will be stocking their Devon Rosé and Devon Dry Cider from this spring and serving them on their luxury cruises across the globe.

Said Barny Butterfield, who is the Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards: “We're so excited to think that our authentic cider, made from the finest apples from local orchards, here in Crediton, will now be enjoyed in so many far-flung places. This new partnership is a celebration of two award-winning brands taking the best of British to the four corners of the world.”

Barny went on to say: “Cunard has been at the forefront of ocean travel for over 180 years. Their guests will now be able to enjoy our fabulous ciders in a host of exotic locations from Sri Lanka to Sydney, Cape Town to the Caribbean and beyond.”

Devon Rosé Cider (ABV 4%) is an elegantly clean and fresh rosé cider, bursting with the fruitiness of Pinot Noir red wine grapes. It's a delicious, medium sweet cider made from Browns, Katja and Jane apple varieties which are fermented with grape skins to give the cider a fabulous depth of flavour and a beautiful blush colouring.

Devon Dry Cider (ABV 5%) is a crisp, dry, session cider with a mouth-watering apple flavour. Like all Sandford Orchards' ciders it is made from fresh apple juice, never from concentrate. Devon Dry is lovingly created from the juice of Brown's, Fiona and Michelin apples.

Cunard has a rich history and unrivalled seafaring knowledge as pioneers of the world cruise. For over 180 years they have refined the definitive experience of ocean travel and grown into a truly iconic brand. 

Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing 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 X, Facebook and Instagram. 

Sandford Orchards' New Bubbles & Chocolate Hamper

Sandford Orchards has just launched a brand new hamper, perfect for Mothering Sunday aka Mother's Day. 

It contains two bottles of their fine sparkling ciders and two bars of delicious Willy's chocolate, all lovingly handmade in Devon. 

The first cider is Katja, created from Katy apples that are pressed and fermented cool with a white wine yeast to enhance their fresh and fragrant apple characteristics. The result is an elegant sparkling-wine like drink and a fabulous British alternative to Prossecco. 

The second cider is Katja Rosé, which is created using the same method but the skins of Rondo grapes are added during the fermentation process to give it a beautiful blush colour. The result is a sparkling cider which tastes of sun ripened cherries and peaches with notes of apple blossom and candyfloss, balanced with tannins from the wineskins. 

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

Sandford Orchards Wins Four Golds at Taste of the West Awards

Family-owned and fiercely independent Sandford Orchards has recently garnered gold for all four of their ciders entered into the Taste of the West Awards. These are Devon Rosé, Devon Red, Rib Tickler and The General.

Said a delighted Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards: “We're thrilled the judges agreed these four ciders are truly gold medalists! 

"They represent a broad spectrum of ciders from our flagship session cider, Devon Red to The General from our vintage range and our new blush cider, Devon Rosé. 

"Although each one is quite different in style and appeal, they all have one thing in common. They are all top notch authentic ciders, lovingly created from apples grown and pressed in Devon, and these awards recognise that.” 

The General (ABV 8.4%) is the Imperial Stout of Sandford Orchards' vintage range. This super rich cider is bold and satisfying with the flavours of Seville orange, plum and baked apple. It is rich and rewarding with a long finish and is a superb complement to gamey meats or a fully-laden Sunday roast.

Devon Rosé Cider (ABV 4%) is an elegantly clean and fresh rosé cider, bursting with the fruitiness of Pinot Noir red wine grapes. It is a delicious, medium sweet cider made from Browns, Katja and Jane apple varieties which are fermented with grape skins to give the cider a fabulous depth of flavour and a beautiful blush colouring. It can be enjoyed on its own or as the ideal accompaniment for a goat cheese tart or Devon high tea.

Devon Red (ABV 4.5%) is a naturally tasty and utterly delicious, fresh apple cider made from apples grown and pressed in Devon. Devon Red is Sandford Orchards' famous session cider.

Rib Tickler (ABV 5%) was originally crafted with players from the Exeter Chiefs as part of an initiative with The Rugby Players Association to raise money for charity. That legacy continues, as every bottle or pint sold raises money for The Wooden Spoon children's rugby charity. Rib Tickler has rich aromas of honey and baked apple, ripe and buttery on the palate, with a moreish apple skin flavour, balanced with a crisp, natural acidity.

The Taste of the West Awards programme has been promoting and supporting the South West food and drink industry for over 30 years. It has grown to become the most prestigious food and drink awards programme in the South West. Each year they work with around 350 food and drink producers who enter their South West food and drink products into their awards programme to be tried and tested by their panel of independent industry experts.

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Crediton sits in the lee of the moors, so receives the right amount of rain and the right units of heat in summer.

Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing 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. 

Sandford Orchards Collaborates With Moons Cider to Launch Orchard Moon

Devon's Sandford Orchards, is thrilled to launch, in partnership with Moons Cider, Orchard Moon (ABV 6.5%), a collaboration cider celebrating the best off the West Country. It's a rewarding, full-bodied tasty cider and is available from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk as well as selected retail outlets (RRP £35.00 for 12 x 500ml bottles).

Says Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards: “Moons Cider, from Somerset, was the winner of our 2022 Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards. 

"Part of their prize was to work on a collaboration cider with us and I'm obviously delighted to see this come to fruition. Tom Moon worked closely with our head cider maker, Andy May, using the best apples from both counties to create Orchard Moon.”

Created using Yarlington Mill apples from Somerset and Brown's apples from Devon, Orchard Moon (ABV 6.5%) is a luscious and juicy cider. 

It has deep aromatics and complexity from Yarlington Mill, complemented by the crisp, green apple zing of Brown's, which combine to produce a full-bodied cider with a light sparkle and medium dry finish.

Andy May, Head Cider Maker at Sandford Orchards comments:”Tom was a very worthy winner of the Breakthrough Cider Awards. It was great to be able to share my knowledge and experience with him in blending Orchard Moon. It's a combination of two of my favourite apple varieties, which really represent everything great about West Country cider.”

Tom Moon, owner of Moons Cider said: “I was unsure about creating a medium/dry cider. I was concerned it might be too dry and challenging with the single varieties we were using but it was great to work with Andy, as he made sure to balance the strengths of both so that they complemented each other perfectly. We're excited by the final blend and think this is a cider people will enjoy and keep coming back to.”

Barny continues: ”We set up the Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards in 2019 to celebrate and support excellent whole juice cider producers from around the UK to help secure the future of real British cider. Winners of these awards benefit from priceless help on the journey including the chance to work with us on a collaboration cider.”

He adds:” Tom Moon has been making cider for more than ten years, having started as a teenager. When he won the award, he was producing around 10,000 litres of cider on his own whilst juggling his main job as a builder. We think Moons has what it takes to become a very successful business and are delighted to play our part in supporting Tom to achieve that.”

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Crediton sits in the lee of the moors, so receives the right amount of rain and the right units of heat in summer.

Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing 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 X, Facebook and Instagram. 

For learn more about Moons Cider please visit www.moonscider.co.uk and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Sandford Orchards Relaunches Rib Tickler Cider With New Charity Partnership

Leading and award-winning cider maker, Sandford Orchards, is relaunching its rugby charity cider, Rib Tickler, with donations from its sale going to Wooden Spoon, a charity whose aim is to positively transform the lives of vulnerable children and young people through the power of rugby.

Explains Chief Cider Maker, Barny Butterfield: “Rib Tickler began life as a collaboration between Sandford Orchards and the Rugby Players Association to encourage professional rugby players to gain experience outside of sport. 

"Working with a group from the Exeter Chiefs, which included international players Sam Simmonds, Sam Skinner and Jonny Hill, the players harvested, pressed, blended and bottled the first few batches of this outstanding, fresh apple cider, with the aim of raising vital funds for charity.”

The legacy continues and now, following a rebranding of Rib Tickler, Sandford Orchards has confirmed its rugby charity partner, Wooden Spoon. Every bottle or pint of Rib Tickler sold will help support the incredible hard work of Wooden Spoon with £10 donated to them for every barrel sold, including all bottle sales. 

Wooden Spoon is the children's charity of rugby. They're a grant-making charity and fund life-changing projects all across the UK and Ireland. In the last year, despite hard conditions, they raised and distributed £1M in grants to support 107 charitable projects helping over 1,113,000 vulnerable children and young people.   

The first cheque for £3,900 has already been handed over and Sandford Orchards will be keeping in touch with the charity throughout the partnership to find out how their donation is helping vulnerable children. Barny adds: “This is our chance to give back as a business to a hugely impressive charity doing vital work. I'm looking forward to visiting some of the projects which we have helped to fund. It's a real pleasure to see the money go to work for children in areas that badly need the support.”

Rib Tickler Cider (ABV 5%) is a fabulous addition to the Sandford Orchards range with rich aromas of honey and baked apple, ripe and buttery on the palate, with a moreish apple skin flavour, balanced with a crisp, natural acidity. It is available in 500ml bottles, RRP £29.75 for 12 and a 20 litre Bag in Box, RRP £58.90 from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk as well as selected retail outlets. 

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing cider. Combining tradition and innovation, Sandford Orchards produces an award-winning range of core session, traditional, fine and fruit ciders.

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.

Devon's Top Food and Drink Experiences to Enjoy This Summer

Want to learn more about your favourite Devon food and drink, meet the producers, taste their creations, make your own and learn some new skills?

Whatever your favourite tipple or your favourite pastime, there's a masterclass or guided tasting to suit everyone. 

Dip into chocolate making. Explore the spirit world. Get hands-on in the kitchen with some seriously good cookery skills. Dust down and scrub your BBQ and learn how to cook on fire or spend a family day planting seeds and exploring nature.

Food Drink Devon, which has a membership of over 350 food and drink producers, hospitality and retailer members, suggests some of the highlights from Devon for you to enjoy this summer.

For wine lovers

Most, if not all, vineyards will be thrilled and delighted to show you around their small or not-so-small patch of heaven and even give you a guided tasting through their vines and wines.

Huxbear Vineyard which is in Chudleigh offers a walking tour where the owner, Lucy, will talk you through the story of Huxbear, their vineyard calendar and winemaking processes. 

You'll learn heaps in about 90 minutes, followed, of course, by a free tasting. Non-walking tours are also available on request and are suitable for people with limited mobility, so should be accessible to everyone in your family or group.

Torview Vineyard, which isn't very far from Beaworthy, goes a a little bit further as it lets visitors get hands-on during their Winemaking Days. 

They run a Red and a Sparking version and your experience is spread over several days, several months apart, depending, of course,  on the wine type.. This year's Red Winemaking experience is almost sold out, but there's space on the upcoming Sparkling, so do look out for that, if sparkling wine's your thing.

Heron Farm Vineyard close to Honiton runs Vineyard Tours which also take in their impressive orchards, to learn about apple juice making, and their Kitchen Garden and Gin Orchard, topped off with a tasting back at the Heron Farm Kitchen & Café.

Sandridge Barton Wines, home of award-winning Sharpham Wine, close to Stoke Gabriel offers several different varieties of tasting experiences, from a casual self-guided options to in-depth guided tastings and tours for those who want to learn more about the processes they employ in their sustainable vineyard and winery.

Lyme Bay Winery near Axminster offers private guided tasting sessions in their Cellar Door, where you'll be talked through each wine, where the grapes are grown, how it's made and they'll even offer you a few all important wine buying tips. You'll leave for home with Winemaker's Notes on each of the wines you've sampled.

More beautiful vineyards with tours and tasting sessions to visit and experience…

Venn Valley Vineyard, near Barnstaple

Alder Vineyard, near Okehampton

Old Walls Vineyard, near Bishopsteignton

Wishing to delve a little deeper into wine? South West Wine School brings together the best wine educators in the south west to run Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) training courses at Darts Farm, near Topsham. Whether learning about different grapes for the first time or analysing a wine in a blind tasting, South West Wine School will take you on that voyage of discovery.

Beer and cider tours and tastings

Explore the world of brewing and fermenting

Sandford Orchards, near Crediton. You'll be able to look behind the scenes at the Cider Works,which boasts that it is the oldest working cider mill in the country, and see how award-winning Sandford Orchards cider is made. Round off the experience with a Q&A session and a cider tasting flight and pizza included in the price.

Salcombe Brewery If you have a desire to learn about beer and brewing, Salcombe Brewery is the place for you. Take yourself and fellow-beer lovers down to Salcombe Brewery. Their tours include a welcome drink in the Taproom, a tour of the Brewhouse with one of their knowledgeable brewers, who'll be more than happy (hoppy, even? Sorry!) to answer your questions, and you'll finish with a beer flight tasting back in the Taproom.

Other beer and cider tours and tastings to consider…

Hanlons Brewery, Newton St Cyres

Hunts Cider, Stoke Gabriel

Red Rock Brewery, Bishopsteignton

Rum experiences

Learn about the art of blending and rum distilling…

Devon Rum Co. Join the team at their waterside venue in Salcombe for a Rum Tasting Experience, complete with a very welcome drink, behind-the-scenes tour of their Blending House. You'll be able to try your hand at bottling rum, then enjoy an in-depth tasting of their four award-winning artisan rums. Ideal for rum fans and groups of friends to enjoy.

Two Drifters Distillery, near Exeter. Want to see a working rum distillery in action? Two Drifters were the first distillery to make rum from scratch in the UK. They'll fix you a drink, then gibe you a fascinating tour of the carbon-negative distillery. Smell the deliciously tempting scent of the genuine molasses and learn how they turn this high-quality material into finest quality rum. And then, it's a welcome return to the Rum Bar for a tasting flight.

Salcombe Rum School A visit here gives you the wonderful chance to craft your own rum and take it home with you. Learn about distillation and rum production, collect your botanicals, and create your own recipe and your own bottle label. Maybe leave the car at home as at least three rum cocktails feature in this experience!

Other recommended tours and tastings include 

Devon Distillery, Dartington

Hattiers Rum, Mothecombe, South Devon

Gin adventures

Go behind the scenes and make your own signature serve

Quayside Distillery, Exeter Quay. Join the gin experts in the lab for a wonderful 90-minute experience learning about the fundamentals of a well-balanced gin whilst you are learning and creating your own unique gin recipe. Or opt for a 60-minute experience with a master distiller where you'll taste your way through their flagship range.

Salcombe Gin School Take charge of a beautiful mini copper pot still to develop and distil your own 70cl signature bottle. Learn how they produce Salcombe Gin and what it takes to produce a balanced and harmonious gin whilst enjoying a 'Salcombe & Tonic'.

Gotland Gin, Beaworthy This novel experience begins in their outside bar with a G&T or soft drink before heading into the nano-distillery to see how Gotland Gin is produced. Next meet their flock of Gotland sheep and lambs during lambing season, then relax back in the bar and learn all about the botanicals while enjoying a few more tasters.

A few more to explore

Devon Distillery Gin School, Dartington

Sidmouth Gin School

Cocktail time

Time to mix, muddle and shake your way to a great time

Devon Rum Co. Cocktail Masterclass. Head to Salcombe to mix, muddle, and shake your way through a hands-on cocktail making session. You'll take charge of your very own and fully stocked cocktail station, have an introduction to mixology, then make (and drink) up to four unique rum-based cocktails. Might be best to not use your car to visit them!

Devon Cove Cocktail Masterclasses. Perfect for a fun night out with family members or friends or to celebrate a very special occasion. Hosted by an expert mixologist, you'll be able to learn how to make a range of delicious cocktails in the Kingsbridge Tasting Room. Try their award-winning spirits, learn the history of cocktails and play a few games, too!

Bar Buoy 'Cocktail Compass'. A one-off Tour, Talk and Tasting Event at the home of Bar Buoy handcrafted, ready mixed cocktails in Exmouth. Thursday, September 21, 7-9:00pm.

Coffee

Take your barista skills to the next level

Owens Coffee, Ivybridge. Latte Art Essentials Workshop. A two-hour course to awaken your inner barista and take your love of coffee to a higher level. However, it's important to realise that this is not your average coffee class, it's a vital experience that's all about having fun, unleashing your creativity, and elevating your coffee game, too. Several other coffee tasting, brewing and barista courses are on offer at Owens, too.

Learn cookery, fire and baking skills

From learning the right way to chop your onions, to how to cook over coals, to baking  the perfect sourdough

High Grange, Axminister Learn lots to apply in your own garden at this bespoke barbecue school which covers the full gambit of outdoor cookery. At Fire School you'll cover a variety of outdoor fire cooking and barbecue techniques and butchery with chef and food writer, Luke MacKay. Enjoy what you've just cooked, around the big oak table for lunch. Other masterclasses are available too.

Ashburton Cookery School is one of the UK's top cookery schools offering inspirational cookery courses taught by a team of keen and very expert chefs. With over 40 cookery courses to choose from, designed to suit beginners as well as the more advanced home cooks amongst our readers, they'll teach you to cook with imagination, passion and enjoyment… and how to chop an onion properly, too, as we just mentioned!

One Mile Bakery Boudicca Woodland runs One Mile Bakery in Exeter, making and delivering delicious and utterly delightful homemade bread, soups and preserves by bike within one mile of home mile, BUT she also teaches sourdough and other breadmaking classes in her Breadshed Microbakery. Her classes fill up rapidly, so do get in quick!

Sweet treats

Chocolate heaven for big and little ones…

Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium Introduction to Chocolate Making. This lovely workshop session includes a talk on chocolate, learn the entire process of turning a bean into the chocolate you recognise whilst the chocolatier demonstrates how to hand-craft, hand-dip and properly decorate chocolates. They also run a 'Short & Sweet Tutorial' ideal for children and parents.

Salcombe Dairy Chocolate Factory Experience the sights, sounds and aromas of bean-to-bar chocolate being made and packaged onsite thanks to full height glass dividing walls between the factory and the shop.

Flapjackery Barbican Trail Pop into Flapjackery on Southside Street to pick up a free children's trail which takes you around the sights and sounds of Plymouth's historic Barbican. Chocolate treats for children who complete the Barbican Trail.

Growing and foraging

Learn more about working with nature to produce food more sustainably…

The Husbandry School near Ashburton. If you are interested in growing more of the food you eat and wish to do so in a natural, fully sustainable way, then Husbandry Skills courses are ideal for you. Or you'll be able to take your family and spend the day exploring nature and picking great things to eat on the way round.

Taw Valley Microgreens Lunch & Learn, a hands-on introduction to growing your own microgreens. Learn about producing food sustainably, enjoy a tasty lunch, walk in the meadow and return home with a freshly picked microgreen punnet. (That's Food and Drink love growing microgreens in our conservatory.)

The Pig at Combe Dig a little deeper into THE PIG's 'plot to plate' ethos with their free Kitchen Garden tours every last Friday of the month.

Broomhill Estate From photography to foraging, metalwork to music lessons, cookery to art appreciation, Broomhill Estate near Barnstaple is 103 acres of imagination and creativity. Sounds great!

Ebb Tides Seaweed, Sidmouth Seaweed Foraging and Pressing. One-off event on Sunday 17th September 1-5pm

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth. Sowing with Donkeys. One-off event on Monday, September 18, 3-6pm.

For more information on any of these experiences visit the individual member's website or for information on Food Drink Devon visit www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk and follow @FoodDrinkDevon on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Worried about driving to and from the venues? Then you might like to check out suitable high quality hotels with the Devon Hotels and Restaurants Association website https://www.devonhotels.com.

(Incidentally, please mention our food and drink blog, That's Food and Drink, when you make a booking at any of the above food and drink venues)

The General Wins for Sandford Orchards

Leading and fully independent family-owned Sandford Orchards has just scooped a host of accolades at the 2023 International Cider Challenge. These include a gold medal and the category trophy for its vintage cider, The General, making it officially the best tannin led cider in the entire world. 

An obviously delighted Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards said: “We're really over the moon to have our ciders recognised at such a prestigious competition which judged a huge range of ciders from more than 20 different countries across the globe." 

He went on to add: "At 8.4%, we like to see our The General is the Godfather of our vintage ciders. It's aged for a minimum of six months in our ancient oak vat. It has already won gold at The World Cider Awards in 2021 so winning another gold and then the category trophy has confirmed that the cider experts really think this is a very special drink, indeed.” 

Barny continued: “The icing on the cake is the fact that we won the same Tannin Led category trophy last year, with our Sandford Reserve, so we're retaining our status as reigning category champions. We fought off stiff competition from over 20 ciders from five different countries all over the globe to win the trophy for the second time in a row.

"The judges tried and tasted ciders from all over the world and then returned to award the prize to the cider that was made in a vat a mere six feet away from the cider that won last year! This is something that no other cidermaker has ever achieved, so we are, clearly, incredibly proud.”

The General - Mighty Vat-Aged Cider (ABV 8.4%)

The General is viewed as the Imperial Stout of Sandford Orchards' vintage range. This super rich cider is bold and satisfying with the flavours of Seville orange, plum and baked apple. It's rich and rewarding with a long finish and is a superb complement to gamey meats or a full Sunday roast.

The judges said: “The General is bright and pleasing with a great bittersweet flavour with dried fruit and hints of spice, married with toffee apple. Good clean tannin interlaced with balancing acid and a wonderful textural quality, this is a fantastic cider!”

Now in its 13th year, The International Cider Challenge is the most authoritative, respected and influential cider competition in the entire world. The International Cider Challenge is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, which serves to reward and celebrate the diversity and range of styles of international cider. Ciders entered into the tasting categories are blind tasted by an expert panel of independent judges and assessed according to their taste, appearance and aroma. 

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Crediton sits in the lee of the moors, so receives the right amount of rain and the right units of heat in summer.

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

Award-Winning Cider Maker, Sandford Orchards, Is Thrilled to Launch their special Figgy Pudding Ice Cider

Award-winning cider maker, Sandford Orchards, is absolutely thrilled to launch Figgy Pudding Ice Cider (ABV 15%). 

It's a special limited edition, oak aged ice cider steeped in dried fruit and a fabulously festive English alternative to fortified wines. It will be available from the end of October in 500ml bottles RRP £25.00 and in gift boxes, complete with two brandy style serving glasses, RRP £29.50 from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk as well as selected retail outlets.

Limited Edition Figgy Pudding Ice Cider (ABV 15%) is an indulgent oak aged ice cider which has been produced using English apples, dried fruit and spices. The rich apple is wrapped up in layers of Christmas aromatics including clementine, cloves, allspice and star anise. Each mouthful releases notes of caramel, mince pies and the glorious decadence of the festive season.

Barny Butterfield, who is the Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards said: “Our new Limited Edition Figgy Pudding Ice Cider will be the perfect festive tipple. Icing is a method used widely in wine-making, and we have introduced it to cider from our beautiful Devon orchards. 

"During the specialist process the cider apple juice becomes intensified, sweeter and richer. We have used dried fruit and spices to give this limited edition cider a truly fabulous festive twist. Figgy Pudding Ice Cider can be enjoyed as a luxurious aperitif or as a rich and delicious alternative to port, alongside your cheese course. We've also created a gift boxed bottle, complete with two brandy style serving glasses, which will make for a very special, unique Christmas gift.”

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon and is housed comfortably in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. 

The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Crediton sits in the lee of the moors, so receives the right amount of rain and the right units of heat in summer.

Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing 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. 

Ganley & Naish Wins Unique Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards 2023

The results are now in for this year's Sandford Orchards Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards and the 2023 gold winner is Ganley & Naish with silvers being awarded to Palmers Upland Cyder and Tinston Wines and Cider. 

The Sandford Orchards Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards, now in their third year, are truly remarkable awards that offer aspiring cider makers advice, guidance and guaranteed listings in the on and off trade and offering genuine support of the future of cider in the UK.

Barny Butterfield, who is the Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards and founder of the awards comments: ”After the success of last year's competition, we were genuinely thrilled and pleased to see even more interest in the awards this year. 

"We had a total of 24 entries, from counties all across the UK, with all styles of cider represented. Naturally sweet to single variety, session ciders to bottle fermented ciders. The judges were so impressed with the quality of all of the ciders that were entered, which is a real compliment to the standard of cider now being produced all over the UK.”

The esteemed panel of judges included renowned drinks writer, Pete Brown, cider producer and director of The Cider House London, Mary Topp, 2020 Masterchef Professionals winner, Alex Webb, food and drink editor for Hearst Magazines, Emma Franklin and Sandford Orchards' very own Barny Butterfield.

Ganley & Naish's winning cider, Hell and High Water (ABV 5.5%) is a single variety, Browns apple cider in a 440ml can. A medium dry, sparkling cider that the judges described as unique, beautiful, impressive and drinkable. 

They described it as: “ This is a crisp and gently complex cider with a lovely sweetness to acid balance. Ridiculously moreish, light on the palate -fault free, an amazing single variety with an apple notoriously difficult to nail down! The branding is sensational, breaks the mould and brings a contemporary and classic feel to an amazing drink.”

Andy Jenkins at Ganley & Naish was delighted to receive the gold award and commented: “To get this cider out had been very trying; COVID, new packing type, new branding, new artwork, working with new people and building those relationships. So to win this award, with a product I'm incredibly proud of, has made it even more special and more rewarding.”

Ganley & Naish's impressive prize package includes a £500 Vigo voucher, a listing at their local Stable Pizza, a listing at The London Cider House, a Sandford Orchards collaboration limited edition cider and a visit by Sandford Orchards' cider makers to offer practical help and advice about setting up.

The gold and silver winners will all receive mentoring from Sandford Orchards' cider makers, a yearlong listing at Devon's Darts Farm and a listing on www.sandfordorchards.co.uk. In addition, the silver winners both receive a £200 voucher from Bag in Box Shop UK

Barny went on to say: “The Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards are nothing like any other cider competition. It's the competition I wish I could have entered and won when I was starting out. Without a budget, without much help and support it can be really daunting trying to get started in any career, let alone cider making!

"It feels great to be able to give something back to the industry that has given me so much. This is an award with the kind of bankable bonus that doesn't grow on trees! We're really keen to ensure all these cider makers go on to fulfil their part in our quest to bring the joy of cider to as many people as we possibly can!”

He went on to say: "Sandford Orchards would like to thank the generous sponsors of this year's competition: Vigo Ltd who are providing a £500 voucher for the gold winner, The Stable and The London Cider House who are giving the gold winner a listing and The Bag in Box Shop who are giving away £200 vouchers to the two silver winners.

"The Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards were launched by Sandford Orchards at the end of 2019 and aim to recognise and celebrate excellent quality whole juice ciders from around the UK. For further information on the Sandford Orchards Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk/cider-awards or follow Sandford Orchards on Twitter, Facebook and  Instagram. For more information on Ganely & Naish visit www.ganleyandnaish.co.uk

Sandford Orchards' Devon Red Cider Wins Best Drink Product at Food Magazine Reader Awards

Sandford Orchards is thrilled to announce its Devon Red Cider was recently voted 'Best Drink Product' by the readers of Food Magazine. 

Said Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards: “We're absolutely thrilled to win this award. We've always thought our Devon Red was a pretty special drink but to win this accolade confirms the food and drink-loving public thinks so too. 

"We were up against some tough competition, as the South West is home to a host of fantastic independent drinks businesses, which makes the win even more prestigious.” 

The Food Magazine Reader Awards have championed the South West's best independent food and drink businesses for almost a decade. The Awards are an opportunity for readers to celebrate their favourite indie venues and products. Over 100,000 votes were cast over two rounds of voting across 13 categories this year. The winners were announced at a ceremony at Cornwall's Nancarrow Farm on May 15. (EDITOR: My birthday!) 

Devon Red is a naturally tasty and utterly delicious, fresh apple cider made from apples grown and pressed in Devon. It's available to purchase from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, plus other select retailers across the UK.

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, which is in Mid Devon in the UKs oldest working cider mill. The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Crediton sits in the lee of the moors, so receives the right amount of rain and the right units of heat in summer.

Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing 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. 

Sandford Orchards takes a low impact approach to producing cider. What does this actually mean? How does it work?

Their orchards act as carbon sinks, promote soil health and support biodiversity

Their apples are all grown within a 20 mile radius of the cider works

Their by-products are bio-converted locally into natural green gas and CO2, which is used to carbonate their ciders

They use locally coppiced regenerating woodlands for fuel for heating water and have installed solar panels which produce 25% of their required electricity

They are working towards having all their company vehicles charged by renewable power

They use natural lighting, rainwater harvested from their roofs and insulation to reduce their energy requirements

Their cider is produced using filtration and cold sterilisation and without the need for boiling ingredients.

Sandford Orchards' Father's Day Gifts

Sandford Orchards has a wonderful and fantastic range of gifts ready to be delivered to your dad this Father's Day. 

Devon Red Mini Keg & Glass Set (£23.00 from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk)

Perfect for parties and sharing with his friends, the Devon Red Mini-Keg gives Dad the chance to practise his pint pouring skills at home. This kit contains a 5 litre Devon Red Mini-Keg and a Sandford Orchards branded pint glass.

Pub in a Box  (£22.00 from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk)

Treat Dad to Sandford Orchards' Pub in a Box, which is filled with Devon cider and snacks. This hamper contains: a 500ml bottle of Devon Mist, Shaky Bridge and Fanny's Bramble plus a 440ml can of Devon Red, a packet of Burts Crisps and Burts Popcorn, Pork Scratchings, a Sandford Orchards pint glass, some beer mats and either a bottle opener or sunglasses.

For their full gift range and for further information on Sandford Orchards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, follow Sandford Orchards on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.