IT WAS cheers all round for Hillbilly Cider producers Shane and Tessa McLaughlin at the recent 2014 Australian Cider Awards in Melbourne.
The married couple from Bilpin took out “Best in class” for their pear cider and a silver medal for their apple variant.
Judges were chaired by Gary Baldwin and guest New Zealand expert Malcolm Reeves, who provided an international perspective. They had spent two days the previous week tasting almost 150 entries from Australia, as well as international ciders across a record-breaking 17 categories.
Mr McLaughlin said he was thrilled with the result, which was the company’s third consecutive win.
“Aussie ciders are carving a new category in world ciders — like we did in the wine industry where Aussies led the field in innovation,’’ he said.
“We’re proud to be part of this burgeoning cider movement.”
It was an exciting week for the pair who have added a new cider to their already popular collection – Hillbilly Vintage Apple Cider.
“I’ve been experimenting with doing a French farmhouse cider for the last 12 months and, after a trip to Normandy this year, I got cracking,’’ Mr McLaughlin said with a laugh.
The Vintage is a rustic French style cider from late 2014 season apples from just two orchards in Bilpin: Shields orchard and the Tadrosse family orchard.
The cider has been double fermented and aged in French oak, and is a limited release aimed at loyal Hillbilly fans.
The Hillbilly range is available at the Richmond Good Food Market in Richmond Park each Saturday, as well as other farmers’ markets in the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains.
■ Details: www.hillbilly cider.com.au.
