In addition to our 500 acres of orchards, we work with a select network of family apple growers in the south west. Last week we invited them to Myrtle Farm, home of Thatchers Cider, to thank them for the hard work they do to grow the best quality apples.

“We couldn’t make our ciders without the apples that our brilliant growers deliver to us at harvest each year. Our growers are all family run businesses just like ourselves, and share our passion and commitment to quality,” explains Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker.

“As a cidermaker we like to use specific varieties of apple to create the characteristics we are looking for in our ciders. It’s important therefore that our growers really understand their apples, and have an appreciation of how that contributes to our cider.”

Martin continues, “This day is always a great opportunity to get to know our growers better, and for them to get to know more about our cidermaking. What we say to all our growers is that the cider market continues to be highly competitive, and that having the best quality apples of our chosen varieties is crucial to delivering consistent, great-tasting cider. We are happy to pay a premium for the right quality apples, so the growers profit through this mutually beneficial relationship.”

Twenty four West Country apple growers joined Martin Thatcher, head cider maker Richard Johnson, and Farm Manager Chris Muntz-Torres to hear at first-hand about developments in apple farming, how the season is going and our plans for the future.

Find out more about our story and our orchards here: The Somerset cider makers | Thatchers Cider