The famous cider producers, Inch's Cider was formed by Sam Inch after World War 1 in Winkleigh. Inch's Cider continued to grow from modest beginnings and became a respected producer of fine ciders and scrumpies.

In the 1990s, Inch's was bought by Bulmers, a cider making giant, who later moved production away from the Winkleigh site at the end of 1998. David Bridgman, the chief cider maker at Inch's decided to carry on cider making on a smaller scale, and,with some of his family bought part of the old Inch's site to continue production.

Winkleigh Cider has grown steadily, increasing production and product ranges which include traditional ciders and scrumpies. Still a family owned firm, Winkleigh Cider Company is committed to the highest quality standards for both its products and customer service. During "Pressing time" of October to early December, you can also watch the apples being unloaded, cleaned, and pressed at the beginning of the fermentation process.

Winkleigh Cider carry a wide range of ciders and scrumpies to suit all tastes. Cider is made from cider apples, and the scrumpies are made from a mixture of cider and dessert apples to give a stronger product. The ciders are around 6%ABV whereas the scrumpies are 7.5%ABV.

• Medium Dry Scrumpy - Winkleigh Cider Scrumpies are made from a mixture of dessert and Cider apples and matured in oak vats to give a strong distinctive product. The flavours in Medium-Dry Scrumpy are subtle and deliciously refreshing.
• Medium Sweet Scrumpy - Winkleigh Cider Scrumpies are made from a mixture of dessert and Cider apples and matured in oak vats to give a strong distinctive product. The flavours in Medium-Sweet Scrumpy are subtle and refreshing with a sweeter flavour.
• Sam's Dry Cider - Sam's Dry Cider is named in honour of Sam Inch who started the tradition of cider making on the Hatherleigh Road site. It is a clear refreshing drink, made in the traditional manner using only the finest ingredients and the latest machinery to ensure a consistent, delicious product. It has a dry taste, much favoured by traditional cider drinkers
• Sam's Medium Cider - Sam's Medium Cider is named in honour of Sam Inch who started the tradition of cider making on the Hatherleigh Road site. It is a clear refreshing drink, made in the traditional manner using only the finest ingredients and the latest machinery to ensure a consistent, delicious product. It is between the taste of dry and sweet and is a very popular cider.
• Sam's Sweet Cider - Sam's Sweet Cider is named in honour of Sam Inch who started the tradition of cider making on the Hatherleigh Road site. It is a clear refreshing drink, made in the traditional manner using only the finest ingredients and the latest machinery to ensure a consistent, delicious product. It has a taste that appeals to those with a sweet tooth.
• Poundhouse Cider - Sam's Poundhouse Cider is named after Sam Inch who started the tradition of cider making on the Hatherleigh Road site. It is a clear refreshing drink,slightly sparkling, made using the latest techniques and the finest ingredients. It is very popular and is now available in Dry, Medium and Sweet varieties.

Western Barn, Hatherleigh Road, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8AP

Directions by road: Winkleigh is about 10 miles north north east of Okehampton off the A3124 and Western Barn is south of the road going west (surprise!) out of the village, towards Hatherlerleigh.

[email your comments about Winkleigh Cider to comments@zider.co.uk]

This used to be Inch's Cider but that name was bought by H P Bulmer in 1996. In June 1998 Bulmer announced the closure of Inch's cider making at Winkleigh, although the brands continue to be made at the Bulmer factory in Hereford. Meanwhile, in Winkleigh, nothing much has changed, with good farmhouse cider still being made from the same apples as previously. All production is now filtered, which makes it slightly bland to my mind, but very good all the same [crofter.com]

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A glass of Winkleigh Cider