Llanblethian Orchards, based in the Vale of Glamorgan, has won an International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) trophy and gold medal.
Founded in 2006 by Alex Simmens, originally a committed hobby cidermaker, the aim of Llanblethian Orchards is to produce quality cider and perry. These are made from traditional fruit varieties using time-honoured methods, without the addition of chemicals or using industrial processes.
The Llanblethian orchard consists of more than 50 traditional apple and perry varieties, from Wales, the Borders and the South West of England, selected for their disease resistance and vintage qualities, and including some rare eating and cooking apples.
The orchard is full of different wildflower species and is managed in such a way as to retain and encourage as much biodiversity as possible. There is a no till, no spray, ‘put-up-with-the-spiky-weeds’ management philosophy to help preserve the native flora and fauna.
Apples are also sourced from other close-by orchards around Monmouthshire and Brecknockshire.
Integrity and honesty
The orchard is a member of Cider Is Wine, which is on a mission to presuade people that cider and perries are ultimately wine, or indeed the other way around. It is about changing consumer and trade perspectives about what cider and perry is and how it could — and indeed should — be perceived.
Alistair Morrell, chief executive of Cider Is Wine, said: “Llanblethian Orchards embraces the values that Cider Is Wine holds close: 100% juice, not from concentrate, lying at the core of those (pun intended).
“Consumers want integrity and honesty from their food and drink, and Alex Simmens demonstrates all of that through the ciders that he makes, whilst retaining a creative cutting edge.
“Being awarded the IWSC trophy ahead of many other entrants just underlines the style and quality of the Llanblethian proposition, as well as the added power to Cider Is Wine to deliver the message to consumers to look again at these wines from apples, pears and other fruits.”
