The Barossa Valley Cider Co in South Australia was awarded Best in Show for its Cloudy Cider at the Australian Cider Awards on Wednesday. It also collected awards for Best Specialty and Best Australian Cider.
The Barossa Cider Co was established in the Barossa Valley in 2013 by brothers Oscar and Hugo Bowen after their travels around Europe. Sons of winemakers, Anita and Randolph Bowen, the brothers conducted research and today combine their winemaking experience with best in class cider production techniques. Their ciders are made with 100 per cent hand-picked fresh Australian apples and pears, creating an authentic tank fermented Squashed Cider using luxe Champagne yeast which ends up making natural ciders that are full-bodied, long, lean and crisp.
“As a family owned business, we are really proud for this national recognition, making the past nine years of hard work worthwhile. It’s an exciting time for the industry, our brand and the innovation pipeline for the category we have in the works” said Oscar Bowen, Co- Owner and Director.
“Our aim when we started Barossa Cider Co business was to produce the best possible easy drinking cider that would appeal to a broad demographic using only 100 per cent real Australian Apples and Pears”, said Mr Bowen.
The brothers also won Best in Show in 2019. Hosted by Cider Australia and supported by Melbourne Royal, the event was a virtual presentation again this year in what is its tenth anniversary year.
A field of 231 Australian and international entries across 27 classes were judged by a panel of respected industry professionals led by chief judge Loïc Le Calvez of wine consultancy Wine Truth.
A record 22 gold medals were awarded this year with a substantial shift up in performance across classes. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded based on points achieved, with gold medal winning entries in contention for trophies.
President of Cider Australia and co-owner of LOBO Cider in the Adelaide Hills, Warwick Billings said the 2021 Awards was an immense success and demonstrates the resilience and determination of the Australian cider community.
2021 Australian Cider Award Trophy winners:
- Best in Show: The Barossa Valley Cider Company with The Barossa Cider Co – Cloudy Cider
- Best New World Cider: Sidro Del Bosco (Cester Camillo) with Sidro Del Bosco
- Best Traditional Cider: Daylesford Cider with Wild
- Best New World Perry: The Hills Cider Company with Hills Cider Pear
- Best Traditional Perry: Core Cider with Perilous
- Best Specialty Cider or Perry: The Barossa Valley Cider Company for The Barossa Cider Co – Cloudy Cider
- Best Intensified / Distilled Cider or Perry: Spreyton Cider Co with Fancy Apple Brandy
- Best Australian Cider or Perry: The Barossa Valley Cider Company for The Barossa Cider Co – Cloudy Cider
- Best International Cider or Perry: Sidro Del Bosco (Cester Camillo) with Sidro Del Bosco
- Most Successful Small Producer: Sidewood Estate from South Australia
- Most Successful Larger Producer: Spreyton Cider Co from Tasmania
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