Putting the Craft into Craft Cider
If I offered you a craft beer, you would probably expect to get something with a quirky name, with trendy branding and unusual, not always welcome, flavours and ingredients. But if I offered you a craft cider, what would you…
Summer News 2024
‘Lost Apple’ Cider Triumph In May we swept the board at The West Country Cider Championships, with ciders we had created from long-forgotten apple varieties, discovered whilst working with the University of Bristol to uncover and preserve lost cider apple…
Spring News 2024
Find out what has been happening at Sandford Orchards this spring. From the launch of our new film to finding lost apple varieties, springtime in the orchards and a new fruity cider on the horizon. It's been a busy few…
What is the West Country Cider Style?
What is the West Country Cider Style? If you are reading this, you must have at least a passing interest in cider. I suspect, in that case, that you realise that cider, just like wine, takes many different forms. Sadly,…
Cider Done Right, The Film
Watch our new film... Get a glimpse behind the scenes and discover the people, places and processes involved in making our cider so special. Discover why that makes a difference and why we are Cider Done Right. “We know that…
The Battle Between the Devil and a Cider Maker
Cider and English Folklore Cider making is an ancient practice which has been a core part of life in the Crediton valley for many hundreds of years. As with anything that relies on the will of the weather gods, there…
In Search of the Golden Apple – Identifying Lost Apple Varieties
A couple of years ago we threw open the gates of some of our oldest orchards to a team of scientists from Bristol University. They were setting out on a project to use DNA fingerprinting to start mapping apple trees…
What Exactly is Fine Cider?
What Exactly is Fine Cider? We are all familiar with the world of fine wine, made with the finest grapes with the potential to improve as it ages, but what about fine cider? In comparison to fine wine, fine cider…
Winter Cider Cocktail Recipes
Who said that cocktails were just for summer? Here at Sandford Orchards, we are big fans of a warming cider cocktail. Whilst cider may not be the most common ingredient in a typical cocktail, it can be the perfect ingredient.…
How To Make The Perfect Mulled Cider
Introduction We’re fast approaching our favourite time of year – the festive period. And with that comes Christmas markets, social get-togethers, work parties and all the other things that come together to make Christmas and New Year such a memorable…
Craft Cider Making Calendar
Intro: There are many important dates in the cidermakers’ calendar, each of which are vital to producing the perfect cider. As well as the well-known processes associated with cidermaking, such as fermentation, filtration and bottling, there are also key cultural…
Cider Recipe Series: BBQ Pulled Pork Belly
Of all the ways to cook pork, BBQ pulled pork belly has to be the most spectacular. When done right, it can be absolutely epic and a real crowd-pleaser. Scoring the skin, marinading in your favourite sauce, smoking times: it…
Devon Mist shellfish recipe
Whilst cider is one of the best-known products of Devon, you can also find some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in the west of England. Think Brixham crab, prawns from Dartmouth and lobster from Torbay. Particular seafood is…
An Introduction to the Craft Cider Harvest Season
The life of an apple tree is an annual one. It blossoms in spring; the fruit ripens over the summer and then is ready for harvesting in the autumn. The winter months, much like all of us, are reserved for…
Cider terminology to make you a cider expert
The cidermaking world is full of terminology potentially new to those who don’t work in the industry, and whilst to us these are second nature, some of the terms take some understanding. Of course, there are many cider lovers out…
Autumn BBQ recipes with the best Craft ciders
We’ve been blessed with beautiful weather these past few months, and whilst summer may be coming to a close, hopefully the sunshine will stick around for a while longer. Even if it doesn’t though, we’re not ready to say goodbye…
How To Enjoy Craft Cider All Year Round
Amongst consumers, cider is typically seen as a drink for the summer season, perfect for festivals, or a day at the beach or relaxing with friends in the sun. That is reflected in sales of the drink: as the days…
No Staycation To Devon Is Complete Without A Cider Mill Tour
At last, summer is looming on the horizon and we can start to plan our holiday months and think about dusting off our sunny outfits. On certain days in summer in the UK, it can make you question the need…