CARMEL is a cidery and three-generation orchard in the Perth Hills that will be part of the AusCider tour. Here, farm worker Bonnie picks apples specifically grown for the brand’s much-loved cider.
AusCider will tour orchards and cideries throughout the Perth Hills and delve into the science of apple growing as part of its national conference.
AusCider 2023 hits the Perth Hills from May 3–5 with 2.5 days of seminars, networking events, a full-day orchard and cidery tour and the national industry association’s Annual General Meeting.
Pomewest will be presenting at the event on the WA apple industry as part of the Production & Growing session of talks, and other experts will present topics such as ‘Microbial solutions for no/low-alcohol Cider, Beer and Wine’, ‘Mobile canning demonstration – quality control, shelf life and micro canning pros and cons’ and ‘The Australian National Apple Breeding Program – What Does It Take to Create a New Apple Variety?’.
A full day tour on May 5 (9am-4pm) will take in Pickering Brook and Karragullen apple orchards, plus Raeburn and Carmel apple orchards/cideries and cideries throughout the Bickley Valley, such as Naked Apple Cider, Funk 2.0 Henley Brook and Blasta Brewery.
The Bickley Valley is a hotspot for cider as home to cideries owned and operated by local families who work alongside our apple growers and other value-adding businesses. A number of growers have diversified by growing bitter and bittersweet cider apple varietals, which can be crafted into traditionalstyle ciders. The tour will explore this relationship between cider makers and apple growers, plus delve into the latest developments in production and sustainability.
This event brings together cider producers, fruit growers, researchers and cider industry representatives from across Australia and overseas. President of Cider Australia, Warwick Billings, says the conference will deliver a unique program of technical, sensory, science, production and business-related cider education.
“This year’s conference theme is 'The Business of Cider'. Keynote speaker Ryan Burk from the United States will join Australian and international experts to discuss the hows and whys of running successful craft cider businesses. “We are excited about holding our first event in Western Australia as it will allow us to forge stronger linkages with the West Australian cider community and showcase the innovations and developments happening in Western Australia and beyond,” says Warwick.
Our keynote speaker is jetting in from New York with his lifetime of apple growing and cider industry experience.
From growing up in the epicenter of New York State apple production to leading some of the United State's most ambitious and industry defining cider programs, Ryan Burk has spent a lifetime with apples and cider. He recently launched his own label, Occam Cider Co., as well as co-founding beverage innovation consultancy Feel Goods Company. Ryan has served on the board of The American Cider Association and is a founding board member of The Cider Institute of America, the US's premier sciencebased education platform. He has been recognised for his industry advocacy, innovation and collaboration by Imbibe 75 People to Watch and Wine.
For full program and ticketing info visit www.cideraustralia.org.au/auscider.