Award winning, global cider expert, Gabe Cook, aka The Ciderologist, has announced a weekend of Herefordshire Cider Tours for October. Fun, friendly and informative these guide cider tours will take participants on a voyage to three of Herefordshire’s finest cider makers right in the heart of the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”.
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. And so, on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th October, The Ciderologist will personally lead the group on a minibus tour of some of the County’s finest.
On Saturday 15th October, the tour heads to the North of the County to visit Oliver’s, Newton Court and Little Pomona. Whilst on Sunday 16th October the tour will head to the East/South to visit Wilce’s, Lyne Down and the Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Co. Representing farmhouse traditionalists and contemporary modernists, on these makers share two central tenets – a reverence for the apple and pear, and a quest to produce the finest libations on the planet.
The Ciderologist himself is as excited as anybody about the tours. “I can’t wait to share with people the wondrous story of Herefordshire Cider, as well as meeting the makers and tasting their amazing products”, said Mr Cook. He continues, “We will have the opportunity to taste straight from the barrel and I will bring a few special bottles of cider from my archive to sample too. Throw in a fabulous ploughman’s lunch and all in all, both tours are going to be fabulous!”
Coming in at £99 per person per tour, both days represent great value for money and an unrivalled cider experience! The tours are also coinciding with a new celebration of apples and cider – Hereford AppleFest. Running from the 1st to the 16th October at venues in Hereford and across the County, there will be something for everyone!
ENDS
About The Ciderologist
- Award-winning global cider expert changing the way the world thinks and drinks cider
- Author of Ciderology (Octopus) and Modern British Cider (CAMRA) • Trusted cider expert on C4’s Sunday Brunch and regular voice on TV including BBC’s Countryfile and ITV’s This Morning and BBC Radio
- Imbibe Personality of the Year Awards 2018 – Educator of the Year (for BACA cider courses)
- #24 on the list for Drinks Retailing Top 100 Most Influential People in Drinks • CAMRA Campaigner of the Year 2022
- Chair of Judges for The International Cider Awards
- Co-host of Neutral Cider Hotel podcast
- For more information, please visit www.theciderologist.com
Itinerary Details
Saturday 15th October
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.
Newton Court Cider has been making award-winning ciders for over 20 years from organic orchards right on the farm. It is now entering an exciting new phase with the development of a brand new visitor experience, including restaurant and cafe.
Sunday 16th October
Wilce’s Cider has six generations of cider making expertise behind them and are based in the beautiful market town of Ledbury. There is a simplicity to the cider making – minimal intervention production techniques are combined with the watchful eye of Master Cider Maker Brian to ensure the creation of fine Herefordshire cider.
Lyne Down Cider & Perry in Much Marcle comes with considerable pedigree with the company originally founded, and beautiful home orchard planted, by cider and perry hero, Jean Nowell, in the 1980s. Today’s owner’s of Lyne Down, Ian Marshall and Sabine Darrall, are keeping Jean’s vision alive by creating a wonderful range of traditional ciders with minimal intervention.
The Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Co is without doubt one of the key players in the contemporary cider movement. With a passion for natural cider making, single varietal production and upholding the community spirit of cider making, the Johnson family have been making award-winning cider and perry in Peterstow for three generations. A visit is always an exceedingly enjoyable affair!
Key Details for Both Tours
PICK UP: 10:30am – Broad Street, Hereford (opposite Green Dragon Hotel) DROP OFF: 17:30pm – Broad Street, Hereford (opposite Green Dragon Hotel) Over 18s ONLY please
I regret that the nature of the transportation and the venue precludes wheelchair access What’s included:
– full transportation for the day
– expert hosting, commentary and guidance from The Ciderologist
– exclusive, behind the scenes access to Herefordshire’s finest cider makers
– tasting multiple ciders through the course of the day
– Ploughman’s lunch
Press release from The Ciderologist.
For further information, please contactGabe Cook via +44 (0) 7393 210 311 or gabe@theciderologist.com.