Two decades later and Barry is Chief Cidermaker and owner of Sandford Orchards, a business which skilfully produces over 7 million pints of cider annually. However, it still retains Barny's original vision, to produce the best tasting cider whilst making sure it's 'done right'.
Says Barny: “ In the beginning, cider making was really just my hobby but one I seemed to have some talent for. It was also something that I was incredibly passionate about, right from the outset.
However, eventually, it was clear either my hobby or my day job needed to go, and I made the decision to put all my efforts into Sandford Orchards.
"And it's a decision I've never regretted. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to create such a successful business doing something I truly enjoy.”
In the early years, business growth was slow, as Barny navigated a steep learning curve with limited staff (mostly family and friends paid with cider!) and equipment.
But producing top quality cider was always his aim and focus and in 2010 he won CAMRA Champion Cider of Great Britain.
This threw Sandford Orchards into the spotlight and this recognition gave Barny the confidence to invest in and expand his business.
The next step was to buy the Cider Works in Crediton, Devon, and bring it back to life as the country's oldest working cider mill.
This enabled Sandford Orchards to increase capacity and establish itself as a serious player in the cider industry. Growth continued at a steady pace and then at the end of 2019, they made the strategic decision to invest heavily in a full rebrand.
Alongside this, they expanded their packaging capability by setting up their own canning line, replacing their bottling line with brand new state of the art machinery and increasing automation in their kegging line.
Barny explains: “The last few years have seen the most rapid growth for our business. Having invested over £1.2 million in 2020 on our rebrand and new equipment, we can now produce 3,500 cans per hour and 6,000 bottles, so that we can supply more of our great tasting cider to more people.
"This means that, as well as being available in pubs, hospitality venues, off licences and independent shops, our cider has also now made it onto the shelves of high street retailers including Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Aldi, Spar and The Co-op.”
Although the business, in some ways, has grown beyond all recognition from its humble origins in a lean-to on the farm, it still shares his original vision to create fantastic authentic cider.
Over the years, Sandford Orchards' cider has scooped a veritable host of national and international awards all confirming they are continuing to produce some of the best cider available.
But Barny isn't one to rest on his laurels and he wants to ensure generations to come can continue to enjoy tasty, award-winning cider, which is why he is working hard to protect orchards for the future and encourage the next cohort of real cider makers.
Barny elaborates: “They've been making real cider in the UK for over 2,000 years and I want to make sure that tradition continues. Recently, we've been working with Bristol University to map the DNA of ancient apple trees in our orchards, so we can identify vulnerable and unique varieties and protect them for the future.
"We also want to encourage the next batch of cider makers and have instigated The Sandford Orchards Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards, which offer aspiring cider makers advice, guidance and guaranteed listings in the on and off trade.”
Meanwhile, Sandford Orchards continues to grow at the fastest pace in its entire 20 year history.
Barny adds: “We are proud to still be an independent, family-owned business and we are in a really healthy place that allows us to reinvest in the business and our staff. We still press and ferment whole juice from the finest apples and age it to perfection to create fabulous cider.
"Our continued growth simply means more people get to enjoy it and that is exactly why I started making cider twenty years ago.”
For further information on Sandford Orchards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk.
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That's Food and Drink would like to point out that Sandford Orchards ciders will make an excellent purchase for your Christmas drinks cabinet. In fact, I feel that there's a shopping trip to our nearest Morrison's coming up, soon!
