Ashcombe Cider
Produced from Estate orchards, Ashcombe Cider is an award-winning artisan cider brought back into production a few years ago. The ciders are 4.5% ABV, mildly carbonated, medium and medium-dry. So unlike some others, you can safely drink more than one!
Rescued from History
Until the 1950’s the White family produced 20,000 gallons of cider each year at The Cider Barn. Peter Gratton at Court Farm made small amounts from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. Peter retired after 59 years in 2012. Ashcombe Estate Cider was restarted in 2012, winning Tastes of the West awards in the three years it has been entered including Gold in 2015. The only ones not enjoying this are the cows who used to eat the fallen apples.
The Future
We have planted many new trees all of which are Old English cider varieties in keeping with the existing orchards of trees.
Gratton’s Gold
Gratton’s Gold is a slightly sparking organic cider. 4.5% ABV with a taste of apples and fruit. A traditional Farm cider
Gratton’s Gold is our driest cider. Named after Peter Gratton who looked after the main orchard for 59 years after the Whites Family had ceased farming. Peter married Val from Park Lane SW1. They farmed, milked cows, raised their children (and point-to-point horses) for many happy years during their lives in Ashcombe.
One of the last of the “Gentlemen Farmers”, Peter passed away in 2013 a year after his retirement.
Made from hand-picked apples and nothing else
White’s Original
A delicious, slightly sparkling cider, medium-dry with a crisp apple taste. 4.5% ABV. Made from apples and nothing else.
Ashcombe has a long tradition of cidermaking. The last professional makers were the White family from the late 19th century up until the 1950’s. During World War 2 a soldier returned with bottles of White’s for the officer’s mess. The ensuing party was so wild that Ashcombe Cider was officially ‘banned’ in perpetuity by the British Army
Please don’t tell the M.O.D
This award-winning product is from hand-picked apples in orchards established by the Whites
St Nectar
A slightly sparkling, 4.5% ABV, medium organic cider with a fruity taste and clean finish. St Nectar cider won a Gold Medal at the Taste of the West 2022 Awards and first prize at the Devon County Show 2021. Ironically it beat White’s Original into second place, but it’s a matter of personal opinion we always say
The ancient orchards are near to Ashcombe’s 12th Century St Nectan’s Church. We just couldn’t let the cows eat all the ripe cider apples, so Ashcombe’s heritage of cider making was reborn in 2012.
The legend of holy man St Nectan: In 510AD he pursued thieves who had stolen his cattle. Unfortunately they cut off his head. He then picked up his head and walked home to die (which was quite an impressive feat) It is said that wherever his blood drops fell, foxgloves grew.
You will see foxgloves on the cider label too.
Winter Warmer
Is cider excusively a summertime drink? Not really, but our Winter Warmer is the ideal way to enjoy a festive tipple.
The unique creation of Ashcombe Cider-Meister Peter the Winter Warmer is made with Ashcombe apple juice, cider, Cointreau, lemon and sugar and spice!
A very limited production of 750ml bottles. 7.5% ABV