2008 is under way and the shop is open as always on Saturdays from 10 till 4. Easter was a gud un and despite the duty increases we are holding prices as long as we can. New season draught is on sale and we look forward to seeing you.
Matthew Forts' piece in the Saturday Guardian a few weeks back came as a real tonic after a tough winter and lambing season.
It is is real boost for us and we hope it will encourage more people to come and discover cider and perry down in Herefordshire.
We also featured on BBC Radio 4's "Open Country" program which they devoted to perry and especially the now very rare varietal "Coppy".
Click on Open Country
We will, over the next few weeks, be updating our website and hope that you will be back to see for yourself.
In revamping our website and taking a fresh look at things I have come up with a rejuvenated mission statement (thanks to Charles McGonegal at Aeppeltroew Winery in WI). It is something that the business world demands on occasion and I feel that they can sound over pompous but of course we live in a world where everything needs a "big up".
"Oliver's Cider and Perry make ciders and perries for everyday enjoyment and special occasions.
Our goal is to profitably produce a selection of fine Herefordshire and Three Counties ciders and perries and to relish doing so.
The perry and cider is crafted in small batches using fresh (mostly hand picked) unsprayed fruit with minimal intervention, distinctive and handsomely presented, respecting the great heritage and traditions of the past but with an eye to innovating for the future.
Oliver's will strive to produce premium products and give a unique service, while valuing the health and well being of our consumers, our employees, the earth's natural resources and the environment".
The Redstreak cider apple raised from a pip by Lord Scudamore of Holme Lacy House in the 1600's, when Herefordshire was "one entire orchard and redstreak cider excelled".
a bit of HISTORY and TRADITION
Just why did Redstreak cider garner it's reputation?
Was it due to an early form of bottle conditioning?
Lord Scudamore had estates in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. He would have had access to the stronger glass from coal fired furnaces in the Forest of Dean. James 1st had been convinced by Admiral Sir Robert Mansell that wood should be saved for shipbuilding. By 1630 Robert Mansell had retired and set about making glass. When attempting to make coloured glass he added iron and manganese, which succeeded in making stronger "verre anglais" bottle glass. Couple this with the fact that England, once again, was importing cork from Portugal and thus making better stoppers for the stronger bottles, to contain the effervescence from the bottle conditioned Redstreak cider that kept so much better in the presence of dissolved carbon dioxide. Did Redstreak cider indeed gain it's reputation from it's ability to keep so much better than any barrel or previously glass bottled product? As well as being safer due to bottles not exploding and wastage would have become a thing of the past. It enabled cider and perry to be transported in better condition hence it's reputation would have spread.
UPDATE: Since writing the above and after much discussion with Jim Chapman and James Crowden, I am tending to think that (with reference to the excellent segment on Scudamore by Hogg and Bull in The Herefordshire Pomona) that the Redstreak cider was kept in glass bottles in cellars, cooled by running waters at Holme Lacey House and that the cider was probably "still" but because it would have contained some yeast, however carefully racked, probably was at least prickly on the tongue to drink. The actual adding of sugar to create a conditioning within the bottle and true bottle fermentation is to come.
"Methode Champenoise?" Did France gain an early PR victory with the adoption of Champagne?
The first documented description of the addition of sugar to a finished wine with the intention of making it sparkle is from a paper by Christopher Merret to the newly formed Royal Society on December 17th 1662. This is 6 years before Dom Perignon arrived in Hautvillers.
The Herefordshire Pomona, 600 copies printed in 7 parts and going at auction for around £10,000!
Dr Robert Hogg and Dr Henry Graves Bull compiled this wonderful book in the late 1800's. The 441 original watercolours by Misses Ellis and Bull are on display in the Hereford Cider Museum. Seeing these original paintings are a must for any visitors to Hereford.
The alternative is to order the CD of The Herefordshire Pomona from Marcher Apple Network.(see my links page). Click to see a page from the Hereford Pomona compiled by Hogg and Bull showing the now rare "Cowarne Red".
OLIVER'S a bit of a HISTORY OF TRADITION
Cider was made on the farm until my grandfather decided with
the arrival of mechanization that it was unsafe and the consequent move away from horse and man power left less need for refreshment while on the job. The old stone mill decayed and the rest of the equipment was sold, given away or fell into disrepair. I started from scratch again and have been planting bush and standard trees of many varieties for 9 years, in order to preserve as many as possible.
Cider Apple Trees:
Broxwood Foxwhelp, Improved Redstreak, Slack ma Girdle, Tremletts
Bitter, Bulmers Norman, Ashton Bittersweet, Sweet Alford, Kingston
Bitter, Yarlington Mill, Ashton Brown Jersey, Brown Snout, Golden
Harvey, Breakwell Seedling, Kingston Black, Cider Ladys Finger, Gennet
Moyle, Nehou, Dymock Red, Sercombes Natural, Sops in Red Wine, Sheeps
Nose, Somerset Redstreak, Fillbarrel, Harry Masters Jersey, Frederick, Ellis
Bitter, Chisel Jersey, Stoke Red, Hangy Down, Vilberie, White Jersey, Tom
Putt, White Norman, White Beech and Dabinett.
Perry Pear Trees:
Taynton Squash, Thorn, Moorcroft, Oldfield, Yellow Huffcap, Hendre
Huffcap, Blakeney Red, Gin, Winnals Longdon, Brandy, Hellens
Early, Butt, Barland, Red Pear, Barnet, Greggs Pit, Teddington Green, Harleys
Gum, Greenhorse, Judge Amphlett, Parsonage, Bartestree Squash, Coppy, Ducksbarn, Early Griffin, Holmer, Judge Amphlett, Knapper, Newbridge, New Meadow, Red Longdon, Rock110, Turner's Barn, White Bache and White Longdon.
Sources of fruit, are from my own trees and enthusiastic local owners of perry pear and cider apple trees in the Three Counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
I am always keen to find new sources of vintage fruit locally and will pay handsomely for hand picked, delivered vintage fruit.
The perry and cider house has undergone restoration, it is now in the old hop kilns. A new bottling room, storage area and Tasting Room are complete and we hope to have the brand new loos ready by mid 2008.
Oliver's Perry and Cider House at:
The Old Hop Kilns,
Moorhouse Farm,
Ocle Pychard,
Herefordshire
HR1 3QZ
Open Saturdays 10.00am to 4.00pm
We are just off Burley Gate roundabout, where the A417 Leominster to Gloucester road intersects the A465 Hereford to Bromyard road. Take Gloucester exit off roundabout towards Newtown crossroads and Oliver's Cider and Perry is first on the right hand side.
Our brochure (the inside is in large format to enable you to read it!):
Here is a current stock list as of Easter 2008:
PERRY:
75 cl bottle conditioned perries, medium dry and medium sweet(under 5.5%)
50 cl still, dry, bottle blended perry "Three Counties Perry"(7.9%)
75 cl still, medium dry, bottle blended perry "Three Counties Perry"(6.7%)
75 cl still, medium, bottle blended perry "Rabbit Foot and Toby Time"(6.7%)
75 cl still, medium, single varietal perry "Blakeney Red"(5.8%)
75 cl still, medium dry, single varietal perry "Rock"(5.9%)
Draught Perries
CIDER:
75 cl bottle conditioned ciders, dry and medium sweet(under 5.5%)
75 cl still and dry single varietal "Dabinett"(8.8%)
75 cl still and dry "Vintage 2006 Cider"(8.2%)
75 cl carbonated and medium "Single Varietal Yarlington Mill"(6.5%)
50cl carbonated easy drinking "Shezam"(6.5%)
Draught Ciders
As well as some Single Varietals on draught, like Swans Egg Perry, Oldfield Perry, Blakeney Red Perry, Dabinett Cider, these will be released as ready.
Available now at the perry and cider house are apple cider vinegar, Rock perry vinegar, mulled cider and apple juice, chutneys, jus and mustard.
OLIVER'S Ciders and Perries are made from vintage cider apples and perry pears, washed, milled, macerated, pressed and fermented, then matured and aged in old oak barrels. Available bottled or in season, from the barrel. The fruit is from traditional, environmentally friendly orchards from unsprayed trees.
Contact: Tom Oliver on 01432 820569 or the mobile 07768 732026
or email:oliversciderandperry@theolivers.org.uk
Bringing It All Back Home:
In 2004 we won First Prize for our Bottled Dry Perry at The Royal Bath and West Show (for the second year running).
So when this led to the presentation to Oliver's of the THE ARTHUR DAVIES CUP for the Outstanding Cider or Perry, we were stunned and very honoured. The history of cidermaking associated with this show and their close affiliation with Long Ashton Research Station over the years, has made this one of the most prestigious cups we have ever been awarded, if we are indeed judged by the company we keep, then we are very honoured.
Please click to see what we have won recently:
Awards
Rick Stein in his book on Food Heroes of Great Britain gave Oliver's Cider & Perry "Superhero" status, we are not worthy but grateful for the awareness that it has brought.
Mike Johnson down at Broome Farm has listed us on his website, he is very generous and a visit to his cellar is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Click on the link and go and see what Mike is all about and then come back and read about The Producer's Charter.
This was drawn up to do some very simple things but in a sound, solid and honest manner. The latest version is based on forming a Guild of Craft Cider and Perry Makers to administer The Producer's Charter. For those who might be interested please download the The Guild of Craft Cider and Perry Producers Charter.
CAMRA are a passionate campaigning cosumer organisation who represent the views of their membership which is based around real ale. However over the years their "Apple" off shoot has grown stronger and cider and perry has particularly benefitted by an ever increasing prescence at the many CAMRA festivals held all over the UK. Frequently selling out in ever increasing quantities. Here at Oliver's we are very pleased to supply any CAMRA event and very pleased to have won a number of awards too.
APPLE at CAMRA and their useful Cider Guide
CAMRA's Good Cider Guide
For Oliver's possibly the best thing to have happened for perry but also for us!
The Slow Food Foundation for BioDiversity has made Three Counties Perry a Presidia and perry is in the Ark of Taste. Please click on this link to follow the exciting and incredibly diverse and wonderful things that have happened so far.
Click to see THE ECOLOGIST on THREE COUNTIES PERRY
For anyone interested in the making of cider and perry who lives within The Three Counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, and beyond too, why not become a member of the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association. We meet about 4 times a year for a variety of informative and social occasions and the membership is on the increase as is our participation in all things cider and perry.
Our website is TCC&PA
and for membership please contact our secretary Helen Woodman, email:TCC&PA
The Three Horseshoes, Little Cowarne, Herefordshire (tel.01885 400276) stocks
the latest releases from Oliver's, both bottled and draught. There is also superb food available in the company of Norman, Jan and Phil.
I can also recommend the "Live and Let Live" on Bringsty Common, outside of Bromyard, who stock our finest draught cider and perry throughout the year.
Please click to see a list of links with Oliver's Cider and Perry: Links
We also have been very pleased to help the following over the last 12 months:
Ocle Pychard Pre School
Water Aid through Canon Frome Court Fund Raiser
Advance-Residential Home, Bromyard
Hereford and District Branch of Multiple Sclerosis Society
Aspire-Choices and Living, Hereford
Hereford Chamber of Commerce Awards 2006
Handicap International, Woking
Reprieve, London
Much Cowarne Church Bells Restoration Appeal
Finally if you have got to the bottom of this, you deserve a medal or at least a good drink.
We have really enjoyed the last few years, especially the visits from everyone from the North Americas including Chris Horn, Drew, Derek, Joseph, Kelly, Kirsten, Sean and perry loving Gary Awdney, Diane and Dick Dunn, top shelf drinks for top shelf folks. Traditionally it may be hard cider and hot apple cider in the USA but you are pushing us in our complacency over here! If you got this far, you should be subscribing to the Cider Digest
It only remains for me to thank everyone who has enjoyed our cider and perry. Keep buying it, it is the only way we can afford to keep going and it is the only way my fantastic band of helpers; Legend, Val, Brian, Juliana, John, Matt, my Mum,Jonathan B., Julie, Karen, Pete and Jill, will ever get p---!
Best of luck to Dave Y. and big thanks and hats off to Tom Conran, Jim Chapman, Andrew Lea, Charles Martell, Peter Mitchell, Dr. Jordana Pomeroy and Shelton Brothers.
Cheers from Tom.
