Sandford Orchards is launching a new cider, created in collaboration with Somerset’s Ganley & Naish as part of their prize for winning the Breakthrough Cider Makers Awards in 2023.
The new limited edition High Tides cider ( 5% ABV 5%) — launched during British Cider Week — will be available in 500ml bottles from Sandford Orchards, Ganley & Naish, and selected retail outlets.
The medium cider is crafted from a blend of wild-fermented early bittersweets and Browns apples. It marries the signature characteristics of Ganley & Naish and Sandford Orchards to create a well-balanced cider.
“High Tides is a lovely cider that really incorporates both makers’ styles into the bottle,” said Barny Butterfield, chief cidermaker at Sandford Orchards.
“The apples really shine in this blend. Browns bring acidity, Dabinetts bring tannins on the finish, and the vintage bittersweet apples help to give the cider tonnes of body and structure.”
The Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards, set up in 2019 by Sandford Orchards to support emerging producers, recognise and celebrate excellent quality whole-juice ciders from around the UK. The winners also benefit from an invaluable package of guidance, vouchers to spend with suppliers, and opportunities to have their cider sold by new retailers and venues.
Andy Jenkins, chief cidermaker at Ganley & Naish, said: “It has been a fantastic experience to see how a cidermaker with the same ethos produces and packages cider on a much larger scale. Working alongside the team at Sandford Orchards, we carefully blended Sandford, Ganley and Naish cider to achieve the perfect balance.
“This has been an eye-opening experience — one that I will take back to our cidery to help us improve and refine our craft.”
