Inspired by the traditional ciders of England and Ireland, our ciders are created using traditional heritage apple varieties that are grown locally at Spring Vale Farm. Each of the varieties exhibit different characteristics, all of which vary from season to season due to the different growing conditions – so each vintage is different.
Learmonth Cider Plus product range
The Learmonth Cider Plus product range includes:
- 321 Cider – Cuvée, Pet Nat, Traditional Still, and Heritage. Upcoming releases include 321-0, an alcohol-free cider, and Tombinos, an apple cider brandy.
- Learmonth Cider – Innovations
- Community Cider – Learning, Training & Making
321 Cider
All the 321 Ciders are made from traditional heritage cider varieties – such as Kingston Black, Yarlington Mill and Michelin – which are grown in a sustainable way using organic principles. Low sulphite use is possible because genuine cider varieties tend to be stable.
There are four 321 Ciders to choose from:
- Cuvée – a premium sparkling ’Méthode Traditionnelle’ cider (750ml bottles)
- Pet Nat – a blend using a variation on ‘Méthode Traditionelle’ where the cider is finished but not filtered (750ml bottles)
- Traditional – a refined, slightly dry still cider (500ml bottles)
- Heritage – a slightly carbonated cider (375ml cans and, from 2026, 500ml bottles).
Soon there will be another two 321 Ciders to choose from:
- 321-0 – an alcohol-free cider (500ml bottles)
- Tombinos – a premium apple cider brandy (500ml bottles).
There are over 40 types of trees which exhibit different characteristics, all of which vary from season to season due to the differing growing conditions – so each vintage is unique. Because we use cider apples, the cider lasts and changes character over the years like a good wine – so there is no such thing as a ‘best by’ date other than personal preference.
Our ciders offer great value for money – they are neither cheap nor available in large quantities or via retail chains. Remember, 321 Cider is not just an ordinary ‘commercial cider’: 321 reflects its soil, its fruits, and its seasons. With four types to choose from, there will surely be a 321 Cider to suit your palette.
Tombinos is typically consumed at, or just below, room temperature. All the other ciders are best cold – some like cider over ice, especially in summer.
Learmonth Cider – Innovations
We use specific apple varieties from the Spring Vale Farm orchard and from the newly planted Learmonth Research Orchard to create new, innovative ciders. Increasingly pears are also being propagated.
From the more than 40 varieties of apples grown, approximately 10 single varieties will be picked and processed each year. Each variety is very different in colour and flavour. Hand-juiced and treated with care, the quantities produced will be very small.
The initial product we produced through Learmonth Cider – Innovations was the Pet Nat, first created in 2017.
• Pet Nat is an innovative, full-flavoured blend of heritage apples. Made using the original ‘ancestral’ méthode traditionnelle, the Pet Nat is finished but not filtered. It is naturally cloudy as the yeast remains in the bottle. (750ml bottles)
• Future innovations will include an apple cider brandy called Tombinos and an alcohol free cider called 321-0. We are also working on an apple cider vinegar and a range of apple-related food products.
Community Cider: Making & Learning
If you always wanted to make your own cider, but not sure where to start? Good news! Learmonth Cider has classes that show you how you can make your own cider. You can even make a batch of your own signature brew right here at Learmonth Cider.
Individuals and organisations can bring their own apples to Learmonth Cider and learn how to produce their own cider – which they can consume or sell to raise funds for their organisations.
You can also attend our Cider Making courses to learn about the whole process of cider making – from propogation to apple variety selection to bottling and beyond.
Contact us to enquire about making your own cider or to participate in one of our Cider Making courses.