NOT one but two gold awards were won by Sandford Orchards' ciders in the national Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Foods.

Sandford Orchards, based at Lower Parks Farm, Fordton, Crediton, is a truly family business. It was set up by Barny Butterfield, who began making cider commercially in 2003. His sister, Tally, is the head cider maker. His wife, Marie, is involved in the business and they have two young sons.

Barny's winning ciders this year were Devon Red and Shaky Bridge, both deemed "close to perfect". Barny's comment was: "It brings much appreciated plaudits for the stunning work the team has done this year. Making cider is what we love to do," and the passion shines through his work.

Devon Red (4.5 per cent) was among the first ciders brewed by Sandford Orchards, Shaky Bridge (six per cent) came in response to people looking for a premium, high quality sparkling cider.

Although Barny's ciders have won awards such as CAMRA cider champion and Taste of the West gold, the team was "overjoyed" to win two golds. "This is the highest accolade," said Barny.

Only 13 cider makers out of almost 400 achieved gold medals in the competition this year. Altogether, there were more than 8,000 entries for food and drink.

The business began in Sandford, where Barny and Marie grew up, and where the majority of the apples pressed are harvested. All the apples come from orchards around the area.

They also grow a lot of fruit and that, too, is used for cider or fruit juices. Sandford Orchards has been the saviour of several orchards that could otherwise have been written off.

Barny has brought them back to life, maintaining, replanting, planting, thus restoring and reviving the orchards.

"We are just so lucky to live in the heart of cider country. The apples we harvest make the best cider in the world,

"We look left and right out of our farm gate and there is an astonishing vintage cider orchard. The Crediton redland we are lucky to be rooted in has the perfect soil and climate to make good ciders," he added.

The ciders can be bought on line, at Crediton Farmers' Market, or any of the 100 pubs who regularly stock the brews plus others who take it on a guest basis right through the country, or independent shops.

Sue Read