The Cider Barn (seen above) sits atop one of our 7 orchards. Nestled between the sea and the moors, the Ashcombe Estate is 500 acres of rolling Devon hills, and babbling brook laden valleys. Home to ancient woodlands, 1000 cows, endless hedgerows and, of course, cider orchards.
The Rayner Family have farmed the estate for 3 generations - the latest bringing back the hives and the cider making.
And after a chance meeting between a cider enthusiast, a juice maker, and a landowner in 2012, it was agreed - LETS MAKE CIDER
The Rayner Family have farmed the estate for 3 generations - the latest bringing back the hives and the cider making.
And after a chance meeting between a cider enthusiast, a juice maker, and a landowner in 2012, it was agreed - LETS MAKE CIDER
The Naturalist - Ralph
A lover of all things nature on the Estate. Passionate about having a living, breathing Estate that is full of fruits for everyone to enjoy!
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The Cider Maker - Peter
The Master Cider Maker weaves his magic every year to produce award winning blends - literally on tap. From picking, to pressing, to bottling....the scientist you might say!
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The Cider Enthusiast - Bill
The Cider enthusiast that makes sure people know about Ashcombe Cider. Making sure local hostelries and farm shops topped up - and that the good people of Devon are refreshed!
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Our timeline: |
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1900 - 1940s
The estate produces cider from its many orchards under the watchful eye of Mr White - Mostly to pay the workers! |
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1940s - 2012
Orchards used for nothing more than grazing. Large parts of the orchards lost to weather and disuse. Cows were very happy for a very long time......but then in 2012 all their apples disappeared - and we started making cider again. Now they are sad cows. |
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2012
The first cider in 50 years produced from the orchards - Orange and Green label Cider. The orange achieves a Bronze at the Taste of the West Awards |
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2013
500 new trees are planted in the main orchard in an effort to bring back some former glories!
500 new trees are planted in the main orchard in an effort to bring back some former glories!
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2015
Mr White's Orginal is born and achieves a GOLD at the Taste of the West Awards. It also gets 2nd at the Devon County Show |
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2016
Gratton's Gold is born and immediately becomes a hit as a Festival Cider across the region. |
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2020
White's Orginal is joined by St Nectar's - the newest artisan edition that gives a nod to the Saint that gives Ashcome's 12th Centruy Church it's name. |
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