Inspirational orchardist who is futureproofing cider and perry wins outstanding CAMRA award
Fourth-generation orchardist scoops consumer group’s award
Albert Johnson, from Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company, has won CAMRA’s 2026 Pomona Award for championing the promotion of real cider and perry in the UK.
The Pomona Award honours people who have made an outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry.
Albert, whose father won the Pomona Award in 2009, grows a phenomenal collection of around 120 different apple varieties and 30 different pear varieties. This means that he has introduced the largest range of single variety ciders and perries in the UK, if not the world.
Between new orchard plantings and maintaining established orchards over 35 acres, Albert has made an outstanding contribution to preserving a vast number of diverse apple and pear varieties. His Oak Meadow Orchard project futureproofs the DNA of rare, heritage commercial use varieties, within the UK cider scene, on his family farm.
A highly respected figure in the cider and perry industry, Albert is taking the traditional drink to a higher level of quality, authenticity and provenance while inspiring future generations of orchardists, cidermakers and perrymakers.
He shares his knowledge widely and has been instrumental in launching a number of initiatives to promote and provide education about these products.
An award presentation is taking place at Perry Fest, Museum of Cider in Hereford from 4.15pm.
Albert, reacting to the win, said:
"I'm humbled and delighted to receive the Pomona Award. It's an honour to have been nominated by peers and friends across the cider industry. In 2009, my father Mike Johnson was also recognised by the Pomona Award and it brings me great pride to know that seventeen years later, the same values of hospitality, inclusivity, and openness are what characterise my decisions and the work that everyone at Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry do on a daily basis. The joy of working in cider is the co-operation and collaboration between cidermakers, retailers and advocates, of whom I am lucky to call many my great friends."
Andrea Briers, CAMRA Pomona Award Coordinator, said:
"It is an honour to reward Albert as this year's outstanding Pomona Award winner; his advocacy in the industry is not only inspirational but commendable, encouraging current and future orchardists, cidermakers and perrymakers to help safeguard our cider and perry heritage and helping to promote these products to a widespread audience.
“Albert’s impressive work in collecting and future proofing apple and pear varieties and the orchards that grow them, and sharing his knowledge, is truly inspirational in protecting an entire industry of great drinks made by independent producers for consumers."
Notes to editors
Images of Albert and CAMRA spokespeople here.
More information about Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company here.
More information about CAMRA’s Pomona Award here.
Previous winners of the Pomona Award include: The Hartpury Heritage Trust in Gloucestershire; Adam Wells, author of CAMRA’s Perry: A Drinkers’ Guide; Elizabeth Pimblett, Director of the Museum of Cider in Hereford; and the late Susannah Forbes, co-founder of Little Pomona.
Award presentation
The award presentation is Saturday 3 October at the Perry Fest, Museum of Cider in Hereford, once Albert’s free of charge perry pear talk and tasting which runs 3.15-4.15pm ends. The Pomona Award presentation will start at approximately 4.15pm.
To attend, please contact press@camra.org.uk
Images:
For further information please contact press@camra.org.uk.
Third-party news items are published as received for informational purposes. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Guild. Please use the contact details within the post for any enquiries.
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