Cornish Orchards produces quality hand crafted apple juices and ciders using the harvests of small and old orchards throughout the West Country. They started this activity in 1999, as a diversification of Westnorth Manor Farm (part of the Duloe Manor Estate owned and stewarded by the Duchy of Cornwall).

The farm has fifteen acres of orchards planted with over 1,000 old Cornish variety apple trees and holds a Duke of Cornwall Habitat Award. The harvesting of lesser known apple varieties such as Lord of the Isles, Tommy Knight and The Rattler is labour intensive and does not lend itself to substantial mechanisation which Cornish Orchards view this positively. As their products are 'hand made' they can control the collection of the harvest, its handling, processing, blending and juice or cider creation.

Cornish Orchards products contain no preservatives or colouring. Vitamin C is added during pressing for apple juice to stop oxidisation. Some varieties of juice represent our 'core' products, whilst others change season on season depending on harvest quality and quantity.

Cornish Orchards that are dotted around the county still have many old cropping trees and while their harvest may not be commercially viable, Cornish Orchards are happy to take small quantities to combine for their pressings. The bitter sweet and bitter sharp characteristics of the apples come together in five very different cider varieties. Cornish Orchards do not add artificial sweeteners, preservatives or colouring.

Their ciders are:

• Draught 5 - Refreshing and satisfying - brimful with the juice of bittersweet apples giving a true cider taste. Fermented using the fruit's own yeasts and blended with fresh pressed apple juice to create a 5.2% alcohol volume with a medium dry still finish.
• Cornish Black and Gold Sparkling - A popular and refreshing cider with a clean, crisp fruity taste. Made from selected sharp, sweet and bitter sweet apples. Fermented using natural yeasts and lightly sparkle
• Cornish Black and Gold Still - A classic cider with a dry full bodied traditional taste. Made from matured bitter sharp and bitter sweet apples. Fermented using natural yeasts.
• Farmhouse Cider - Fermented from traditional cider apple varieties and sweetened with apple juice to give a smooth mellow flavour with a wonderful golden colour.
• St Cuby's Medium Dry - The final stages of fermentation take place in the bottle on the lees. This type of fermentation leaves a natural fruitiness with a fine sparkle. This is our premium cider and has won a number of awards. Only a limited number of bottles are made each year using specially selected apples.

Westnorth Manor Farm, Duloe, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 4PW

Good Friday to October 31st - Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm; Sat: 9.30am-12.30pm; Sun: closed.

November 1st to Maundy Thursday - Wed 10am-5pm; Sat: 9.30am-12.30pm; All other days: closed.

Come to the farm shop to try our products before you buy them. Although we don't give guided tours, if time and work load allow we would be happy to show you around.

Directions from Dobwalls: Dobwalls is just outside of Liskeard, where the A38 and A390 converge. From the A38, turn onto the B3254 signposted for Duloe. Follow the road out of the village, as if heading for Looe. Cornish Orchards is on the left, as you drop down the hill.

Directions from Looe: Take the A387 signposted for Liskeard and Bodmin. At Sandplace, turn onto the B3254. Cornish Orchards is on the right, as you climb the hill towards Duloe.

[email your comments about Cornish Orchards to comments@zider.co.uk]

A selection of Cornish Orchards ciders.

Apples ready for pressing at Cornish Orchards.