Gabe Cook, AKA The Ciderologist, is inviting people to join him on a tour of three of Herefordshire’s finest cider makers on 29th March.
Home to the largest acreage of cider apple orchards, and the greatest volume of cider produced anywhere in the
world, Herefordshire is equally heralded for its cider heritage as for its award-winning small makers.
Varying between farmhouse traditionalists and contemporary modernists, these makers share two central tenets — a reverence for the apple and pear, and a quest to produce the finest libations.
The tour will coincide with the end of CraftCon, the UK’s premier cider conference. Participants will visit:
- Little Pomona Cider and Orchards
On the frontline of creating ciders that exude all the elegance, finesse, and character of wine. Through a boundary-pushing attitude, top-quality fruit, and the use of former wine and spirit barrels, an incredible range of small-batch ciders are created. - Oliver’s Cider and Perry
Renowned throughout the world for bold, intense, and masterfully blended ciders and perries. Guided by the masterful touch of founder and cider maker Tom Oliver, these drinks are a pure expression of the Herefordshire landscape and cultural heritage. - Townsend Cider
More celebrated for its apple juice, but has been steadily gaining a reputation for natural ciders of intensity and complexity. Utilising both tannic rich cider apples and dessert apples from the farm gives Jamie Hall the opportunity to engage in playfulness and creativity.
A ploughman’s lunch of local produce will be provided during the day, with vegan and gluten-free options available.
At the end of the tour, participants will be offered the opportunity to be dropped off back at the Green Dragon Hotel, from where to tour begins, or to continue on to the Yew Tree Inn, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye. This award-winning cider pub is home to the Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Co, and will be serving excellent pizzas while hosting its monthly cider club.
