Sandford Orchards has launched the 2025 Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards, offering aspiring cider makers the chance to win guidance and guaranteed listings in the on- and off-trade.
Barny Butterfield (right) presents last year’s award to Andy Jenkins, from Ganley and Naish
The unique awards, which are now in their fourth year, are free to enter. They are open to cidermakers producing between 3,000 and 50,000 litres of cider or perry per year, and designed to support the future of cider in the UK. The closing date is 31st January, 2025.
“When we launched the inaugural Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards at the end of 2019, we had no idea that they would prove to be such a huge success,” said Barny Butterfield, chief cidermaker at Sandford Orchards.
“I set them up because we wanted to give something back to the industry that I love and I wanted to ensure that fledgling cidermakers, who share my passion for real cider, were given the opportunity to thrive.
“Business is tough and it can be really daunting trying to get started. We are keen to support emerging cidermakers in order to secure the future of quality cider enjoyment for generations to come, and the response since the launch in 2019 has been incredibly encouraging.
“There is a hugely talented pool of new cidermakers in the UK and we are looking forward to meeting more of them as part of the 2025 award process.”
The award entrants will be judged by industry experts including Tom Oliver, Gabe Cook. and Mary Topp. The winner will receive a prize package that includes a £500 Vigo voucher, a listing at their local Stable Pizza, a listing at The London Cider House, a Sandford Orchards collaboration limited edition cider, and a visit by Sandford Orchards’ cider makers to offer practical help and advice about set-up.
The two runners-up will both receive a £200 voucher from Bag In Box Shop UK and all three winners will receive a 12-month listing at Darts Farm, Devon, and a 12-month listing on sandfordorchards.co.uk. Plus, everyone who enters will receive personalised, practical, and actionable feedback.
‘Thinking about the big picture’
Andy Jenkins, from Ganley and Naish, the most recent winners of the award, said : “Winning the award proved to myself that I can make cider, and cider to a good standard. As silly as that sounds, having peer approval has been hugely validating.
“Being in the company of amazing previous winners and runners-up, is an exclusive club that I am going to cherish forever.”
Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist and an awards judge, added: “It is a joy to be part of these utterly unique and crucial Breakthrough Cider Awards. To give small cider makers not only a platform to shine, but to have real financial and technical support is fabulous.
“Bravo to Sandford Orchards for, not for the first time, thinking about the big picture and giving something back to the cider community.”
