Ashridge produce bottle fermented vintage sparkling cider made from unsprayed apples harvested in their South Devon orchards. The orchards at Ashridge Farm were certified organic in 2003, and have now been extended, and the fruit is supplemented from other local orchards. Not a 'cider farm' in the traditional manner, Ashridge Cider have moved into the more up-market sparkling cider arena - competing with the French champagne makers. The process of making their flagship Ashridge Sparkling Vintage Cider is outlined on the company's website.

Ashridge Cider have received accolades and awards - and not a little publicity along the way. The Summer of 2007 saw a plethora of awards: 1st prize in the bottle fermented section at the Royal Bath and West Show, 1st prize at the Three Counties Show at Malvern Showground, 2nd Prize for Best Presented Bottle at the Hereford International Cider and Perry Competition, and 2nd and 3rd prizes at the Devon County Show. And Ashridge Vintage was awarded a Three Star Gold Award at the Great Taste Awards held at Olympia in London. They were the only cider to receive the top award of Three Stars.

2007 saw Ashridge Cider featured on the BBC-TV Countryfile programme with Oz Clarke. The programme was doing a feature called “The Devon Wine Trail” and featured Ashridge Cider quite prominently. While in Devon, the BBC thought they would visit a cider maker. The fact that Ashridge Cider put all their ciders through the champagne process made a useful link with the wine producers from Devon. Ashridge Cider were also featured on the BBC Radio 4 On Your Farm programme.

Ashridge Sparkling Vintage Cider is an exciting alternative to champagne. By using the traditional method, or “méthode champenoise” (as of Champagne), an elegant dry, fully sparkling drink is produced. It retains delicious apple aromas and flavours, within a refreshing crisp sparkle. Certainly not to be confused with “Farmhouse Cider” or “Scrumpy”. When served well chilled it is an excellent alternative that that fizzy French stuff!

In 2005, they launched Devon Blush; blending blackberry liqueur to their standard vintage sparkler to make a stunning pink appley fizz. Devon’s answer to Kir Royale! The blush is sweeter than the vintage, with more than a hint of berry fruit.

Ashridge Cider, Barkingdon Farm, Staverton, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6AN

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Ashridge Sparkling Vintage Cider