Nightingale Cider Co has staged a soft launch of its taproom, The Watch, on Gibbet Oak Farm in Tenterden, Kent. The venue is named after the collective noun for nightingales.
The Nightingale Cider team in The Watch
It is located on the Nightingale family farm, where visitors can enjoy fresh ciders on the site where much of the fruit is grown and fermented.
Two core sparkling ciders are available on tap — Night Bird and Wild Disco — both of which were just awarded bronze in the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition. In addition to this, a wider range of Nightingale ciders will be available in bag-in-box and bottle alongside carefully selected ciders from other cider-makers, craft beer from local breweries, and wine from local vineyards.
Decorated with furniture made from reclaimed materials from the family farm– including benches made from used apple bins and wine and whisky barrels as tables– visitors can learn about Nightingale Cider and the cider-making process as they drink.
Nightingale Cider founder, Sam Nightingale (pictured), said: “For as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to open a space to share our ciders and farm with a wider audience. Over the past few years, we’ve invited the public to join us for our annual wassail in January. But now, anyone can visit the farm during the summer months, or arrange a tour and tasting throughout the year.”
From next summer, the Nightingale team will extend the taproom experience to the orchards, where their fruit is grown, and which has a spectacular view across the North Downs.
This summer, The Watch will be open every second weekend. On Friday, 26th August, from 8pm, it will host its first event, a reggae and ska night in partnership with SKEP Arts, promising an evening of rare 60s and 70s ska and reggae singles and some Northern Soul classics.
Tickets to that event are available here. That weekend, The Watch will be open from 3-11pm on Friday, and noon-8pm on Saturday.
