At the beginning of May we launched our sparkling apple juice at Garden Show Ireland in Antrim Castle Gardens. At the many events over the summer, we received great feedback in relation to this new product and it was enjoyed by everyone who tasted it.
Our cider vinegar was also awarded the NI Food and Drink Pavilion Award for Best Artisan Food Product at the Balmoral Show.
We were delighted and honoured to be invited to Fortnum and Masons, in London, at the beginning of the summer. This provided Pat and Peter with the opportunity to sample and display our Blossom Burst Cider as part of the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink with other local producers.
May was certainly a busy month as we were privileged to meet Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall when they visited The Yellow Door Deli in Portadown. Prince Charles was very interested in this year’s harvest, how it was progressing, had it been affected by this years frost and how we pulled our apple crop. Pat informed him the apple blossom was looking very healthy and at harvest season all fruit is hand picked. Prince Charles and Camillia, both tasted our craft ciders and apple juice. They were also presented with a hamper from The Yellow Door Deli which included local produce.
At the beginning of June we met Rachel Allen at Lurgan Park Show as part of NI Year of Food and Drink. We talked about all the great local produce being exhibited at the show and enjoyed sampling our apple juice. During various cookery demonstrations our apple cider vinegar was used in different dishes.
In July we were invited to attend the Titanic Quarters, Belfast for the World Credit Union Conference By Simon Dougan, Yellow Door. It was a fantastic education and networking event that is held annually. At this event our craft cider and apple juice was tasted and enjoyed alongside the delicious Yellow Door Catering, by credit union executives and volunteers from around the globe.
After a busy and successful summer we are now preparing for this year’s harvest which will produce next years cider and juices.