Devon-based Sandford Orchards is delighted to launch a new limited edition 2024 Vintage Perry (ABV 7.5%) which will be available in 750ml bottles from Sandford Orchards and select retailers as well as to guests at Deer Park Country House, Weston.
Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards comments: “I planted a small perry orchard on a friend’s farm 15 years ago and completely forgot about it. This autumn Tom picked up the phone and asked what we were going to do with all these pears? Nothing for a decade and a half – then a trailer load! As with cider apples, perry pears are grown only for the amazing drink they produce – they are essentially inedible. But if you do the job well, the results are sublime. Perry is traditionally naturally sweeter than cider, and this bottling is wonderfully rich, aromatic and delicious. I put these pears together with those grown with some more friends of ours at the sublime Deer Park country house – we help manage their gorgeous orchard, including some rows of Brandy and Blakeney Red perry pears.”
Barny continues: “Perry pears are trickier customers than predictable cider apples, a pear ripens from the centre so harvest timing is even more critical, and pressing must be very gentle and careful. We’ve made small batch perries over the years, but this is easily the one we are most proud of. We are delighted with the results of our efforts and hoping that our customers will love it too. It is lighter and more aromatic than our session ciders and much more akin to our fine Katjas. At 7.5% ABV, it’s not designed to be glugged by the pint, but enjoyed in place of a glass of wine. ”
Sandford Orchards 2024 Vintage Perry (ABV 7.5%, 750ml bottles, RRP £7.00) is crafted from Blakeney Red, Green Horse, Brandy and Gin pears. It is a delicate floral perry that is crisp, fragrant and fresh with ripe pear, citrus acidity and a subtle tropical nose. It pairs perfectly with roasted chicken, creamy pasta or grilled fish.
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.
-Editor’s Notes-
Images available here
Sandford Orchards takes a low impact approach to producing cider:
- Their orchards act as carbon sinks, promote soil health and support biodiversity
- Their apples are all grown in 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
Images here
For further information, interviews and images please contact Kath@rawfoodanddrinkpr.co.uk
Third-party news items that are posted on the Guild website come from press releases and emails received by the Guild. These are posted as they have been received. Their publication on the Guild website is an informational service only and is neither an endorsement of the content, nor its sender, by the Guild. For enquiries, please use the contact details that can be found at the bottom of each post.