Meet the Producer – Sheppy’s Cider

GR – Sheppy’s have been making cider for over 200 years and weathered a number of storms along the way. What is the secret behind the company’s long standing success?

Whilst we have never been afraid to move with the times, introducing fruit and low alcohol ciders to the range in recent times, we have never deviated too far from our core product of premium apple ciders. This has meant that we have consistently provided high quality cider using the techniques that have been passed down from one generation to another. The customer now expects this standard from us and it’s something we will never compromise.

GR – Based in Somerset with your own orchard, does your location/weather determine the type of apple trees you can plant and therefore the cider produced, or do you select which varieties of apple trees you wish to plant?

The Somerset climate is perfect for growing bittersweet cider apples which in our opinion are the king of cider apples. They have a high sugar and tannin content which gives the cider an added complexity and makes Somerset cider stand out from other regions. Here at Three Bridges Farm, we have over 90 acres of orchards where we grow over 30 varieties of apples. As well as bittersweet and bitter sharp apples some of these are desert apples which we include in certain blends for a point of difference.

GR – There have been numerous new products coming onto the market in the cider category in recent years. What makes Sheppy’s products unique and why should people (both retailers and consumers) buy them?

The rise of craft cider products coming to the market is something we welcome. Retailers and consumers alike do look to cider producers with a wealth of authenticity and provenance, which still speaks volumes within the industry. With six generations of cider making behind us, Sheppy’s has heritage in abundance and has been producing expertly crafted cider for over 200 years.

GR – What are the company’s core values?

Aside from maintaining our standing as a premium craft cider maker, using apples grown and harvested from the local area, we also only ever use natural ingredients in our products. This is only possible if we look after the land.

Our farming environment is everything to the business we run at Three Bridges Farm and with a century here already behind us, a sustainable future is a priority.  We have made significant investments in waste management and solar panels as well as many smaller changes across the business, but there is always so much more which can, and should, be done.

The pressure on all farmers to farm more intensively has been with us since the war and the priority now is to keep finding ways to combine commercial orcharding with nature-friendly practices which allow nature to have some completely wild space.  We already have a wide variety of wildlife living in and on our craggy and hollowed-out standard apple trees, and just being less “tidy” out on the farm can help to increase this biodiversity.

GR – As well as cider making, Sheppy’s have a number of other things going on at the farm making it a great place to visit for a family day out. Can you tell us about some of things people can expect to see and do?

The farm is open to anyone to visit and enjoy, walking around the orchards is a special thing to do at any time of year with each season highlighting the life cycle of the apple. We have a café and restaurant with seasonal menus and a shop where you can purchase anyone of our award-winning ciders. If you are looking to entertain the family we offer a full events schedule throughout the year. We celebrate holidays such as Easter, May Day and Christmas, as well as traditional events such as the annual rural celebration of the Wassail where we bless the apple trees for a good harvest the following year.

GR – What are the plans for the brand going forwards? Will you be launching any new varieties of cider in the near future?

We like to think there is a cider for everyone in our range, dry, medium, or sweet, fruit, perry or low alcohol whatever your taste. That said, we always listen to our customers and suggestions are taken seriously so we’ll have to wait and see.

GR – Last but not least, what is your favourite Sheppy’s cider?

I love the 200. A great medium apple-based cider with all the classic Sheppy’s hallmarks.