West Pennard Organic Cider The only producer of Somerset cider made in the traditional way, building a 'cheese' of straw on an ancient hand-turned cider-press. Dr. Hugh Tripp is the owner and winemaker at Avalon Vineyard. He originally trained in biological research, but then changed direction to pursue the "good life" in the country. The idea of planting a vineyard only germinated with purchase of a half acre plot of land. Vines were planted in 1981 and we were soon blessed with bountiful crops that produced some award-winning wines. This encouraged a phase of expansion through the late1980's when we planted not only more vines, but a cider orchard and soft-fruit. We also built our winery, shop and semi-underground cellar. Cider production has continued fairly steadily throughout. However, there has been a steady increase in the production of fruit wines and mead. From the outset, we intended to grow everything completely naturally, without using sprays or other chemicals. Hugh has been helped in all this work by his wife, Hilary, and by many volunteer workers, known as "WWOOFers"* and so the vineyard has gone from strength to strength. Our land, planted with vines, fruit trees and soft fruits covers 6.5 acres(2.7ha). Additional, outlying orchards on our organic licence almost double this area. text taken for West Pennard organic Wines http://www.pennardorganicwines.co.uk I took the images during a couple of crisp and sunny afternoons in  December. It was a fairly labour intensive operation, building the  cheese with great care and involving three people. The cheese was  built throughout the day and the pressed using a large handle over the  next 24 hours. It was a pleasure to photograph, the ciderhouse/farm being situated at  the end of a country lane. Very tranquil and of course lovely cider. I  can also recommend his fruit wines.

West Pennard Organic Cider

The only producer of Somerset cider made in the traditional way, building a 'cheese' of straw on an ancient hand-turned cider-press.

Dr. Hugh Tripp is the owner and winemaker at Avalon Vineyard. He originally trained in biological research, but then changed direction to pursue the "good life" in the country. The idea of planting a vineyard only germinated with purchase of a half acre plot of land. Vines were planted in 1981 and we were soon blessed with bountiful crops that produced some award-winning wines. This encouraged a phase of expansion through the late1980's when we planted not only more vines, but a cider orchard and soft-fruit. We also built our winery, shop and semi-underground cellar.

Cider production has continued fairly steadily throughout. However, there has been a steady increase in the production of fruit wines and mead. From the outset, we intended to grow everything completely naturally, without using sprays or other chemicals. Hugh has been helped in all this work by his wife, Hilary, and by many volunteer workers, known as "WWOOFers"* and so the vineyard has gone from strength to strength. Our land, planted with vines, fruit trees and soft fruits covers 6.5 acres(2.7ha). Additional, outlying orchards on our organic licence almost double this area.

text taken for West Pennard organic Wines

http://www.pennardorganicwines.co.uk

I took the images during a couple of crisp and sunny afternoons in
December. It was a fairly labour intensive operation, building the
cheese with great care and involving three people. The cheese was
built throughout the day and the pressed using a large handle over the
next 24 hours.

It was a pleasure to photograph, the ciderhouse/farm being situated at
the end of a country lane. Very tranquil and of course lovely cider. I
can also recommend his fruit wines.