AN ORGANIC cider producer has won a gold award from the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
John Hibbert only started Broughton Bank Perry and Cider four years ago but is already enjoying the fruits of his labour. He started an organic perry and cider business near Cartmel after planting vintage varieties of apples and pears for over 15 years with the aim of reinvigorating the Lake District cider tradition.
While ciders are known for coming from Somerset and Herefordshire, northern England and Scotland have their own traditions of cider houses as they are using one of the most abundant fruits in the country.
All apples are picked by hand. The perry and cider are made from pure fresh juice from local fruit with natural fermentation without any additives such as sulphites, making it gluten-free and vegan.
John supplies Low Sizergh Barn near Kendal, Yew Tree Barn in Newton in Cartmel, local pubs and community events. People can purchase his drinks directly from his cider house at Broughton Bank.
READ MORE: Broughton Bank Perry and Cider wins IWSC bronze award
He said: "I am proud. I think it's a triumph of no additives really. The only thing that is added is sugar after fermentation. It's a real confirmation that natural is best. I find it a very fulfilling occupation, it takes up a lot of time. A lot of houses have quite large orchards - lots of apples go to waste. So what I do is I go and pick them or people bring them to me and I give them a commission for using their apples, so it's also saving waste."
Sometimes John's son helps him but he mostly works on his own. He said: "Last year there was the most amazing harvest. I picked 11 or 12 cubic metres of apples. I was exhausted at the end of it."
He said this year the harvest will be smaller due to the weather being dry in spring and early summer, then wet more recently.
When asked what he thinks the future will be he said that now he had the gold for his cider he will focus more on the perry side of the business.
Perries are mostly known for Babycham but John wants to showcase what else the drink can offer.
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