Cider Australia is the peak body for the cider and perry industries in Australia.
AusCider 2019, Tasmania, 3-5 June 2019
National industry body Cider Australia has announced that next year’s national cider conference will be held in Tasmania from 3 – 5 June 2019.
AusCider 2019 will bring together cider producers, fruit growers, researchers and cider industry representatives from across Australia. The UK’s first accredited pommelier (cider sommelier), award winning drinks writer and consultant Jane Peyton will join proceedings as guest international delegate and keynote speaker.
President of Cider Australia and co-founder of Willie Smith’s Cider Makers, Sam Reid, said the cider industry is grateful for the support of the Tasmanian Government which has enabled Cider Australia to bring the conference to Tasmania.
“Tasmania is overloaded with exceptional food and drink experiences and has fast become a national hub for fermentation R&D, making it the perfect place to hold the 2019 conference”, said Mr Reid.
AusCider 2019 will be held in conjunction with the annual conference of Fruit Growers Tasmania (FGT). “FGT are excited to have Cider Australia join them in Hobart for their 2019 conference”, said the organisation’s CEO Stu Burgess. “The Tasmanian fruit sector has a long history of supporting the cider industry with numerous premium brands producing exceptional value added products for sale at cellar door, domestically and also in high value export markets. In the first week of June, we look forward to showcasing the fantastic profitable businesses right from ‘paddock to bottle’!”
Members of state-based cider industry body Cider Tasmania are delighted that the conference is being held locally and look forward to contributing to making the conference a success. The conference program will include one and a half days at the C3 Convention Centre in South Hobart followed by site visits and events in other regions of Tasmania.
Further information about the conference including program and ticketing information will be released on Cider Australia’s website in early 2019.
www.cideraustralia.org.au
www.jane-peyton.com
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About Cider Australia
Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry.
About AusCider 2019
The Australian Cider Conference (AusCider 2019) is the cider industry’s annual information exchange and networking event. It connects cider producers, fruit growers, researchers, suppliers and other industry representatives from Australia and internationally. The Batlow CiderFest organised and ran the first seven conferences in Batlow, NSW. Cider Australia will now manage the event as it moves to major cider centres in other states.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
To interview Cider Australia spokespeople and other industry representatives, please contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au.
Australia’s cider industry body Cider Australia will host Australia’s 8th national cider conference next June.
AusCider 2019 will be the largest ever meeting of cider professionals in Australia and the first event to be held outside of Batlow, NSW where the conference was inaugurated seven years ago.
President of Cider Australia and co-founder of Willie Smith’s Cider Makers, Sam Reid, said the craft cider category was continuing to grow and the time had come to transition the conference to the industry body. As well as ensuring that the conference will continue to meet the needs of the many producer around Australia, it will also enable broader engagement with the Australian cider community as it is hosted around the country.
“The conference’s founding organisation, the Batlow CiderFest, has done an amazing job running the Batlow Cider Industry Conference for the past seven years, and I commend their foresight and commitment to cider industry development”, said Mr Reid.
Mr Reid acknowledged the extensive support provided to the conference by the NSW Department of Primary Industries since 2013 which has enabled the event to expand to its current stature.
“Cider Australia is pleased it can take the event to other major cider centres as this will allow more people to attend and build networks in Australia and internationally. It will also highlight the research and investments being undertaken in cider regions across Australia”, Mr Reid said.
Ray Billing, Batlow CiderFest chairman said, “Batlow CiderFest supports Cider Australia taking on management of the conference in 2019 as it shows our initiative was worthwhile and has met the cider industry’s need for education and technical development”.
“The agreement will allow the Batlow CiderFest to have a continued partnership with Cider Australia and help promote the event Australia wide. Their support will allow our team to explore other cider related activities to enhance the annual Batlow CiderFest and see the conference return to the region every five years. The Batlow CiderFest is held on the third Saturday of May and is a huge drawcard for tourism in the region”, said Mr Billing.
Full details on AusCider 2019 will be announced in the coming months.
For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759/office@cideraustralia.org.au or Batlow CiderFest chairman Ray Billing on 0412 539 535/ray.billing@bigpond.com or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.
Cider Australia has announced the winners of its 2018 Australian Cider Awards, indicating a very strong future for the local craft cider movement. Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider from William Smith & Sons in Tasmania won ‘Best in Show’, ‘Best Traditional Cider’ and ‘Best Australian Cider’ with a score of 93 in the Traditional Medium Sweet Cider class. Of the 13 gold medals awarded this year, nine were won by Australian cider producers.
“This is an exciting time for the cider industry in Australia,” commented Jane Anderson, executive officer, Cider Australia. “It’s great to see more Australian producers and their ciders scoring higher than ever before in this year’s judging. While fewer entries scored medals, the cider making profession in Australia is becoming more skilled and competitive with more gold medals awarded.
“With the quality of cider produced in Australia constantly improving, our Australian producers have also been winning medals at international shows in the US, UK and the World Cider Awards,” added Ms Anderson.
Prior to the Awards dinner held in Sydney on Friday, October 5, cider producers from around the country and international guests were invited to attend an industry forum where a world-first Australian craft cider trust mark was unveiled by Cider Australia. Designed to identify ciders made with 100% Australian grown fruit, the trust mark will help consumers to make more informed choices when buying cider. Current labelling laws make it difficult to identify from where fruit in a cider has been sourced. Less than 15 per cent of Australia’s cider market comprises craft ciders made with 100% Australian grown fruit.
A field of 260 Australian and international entries were judged across 25 classes by a panel of local industry professionals and visiting experts from the US and New Zealand. Within each class, bronze, silver or gold medals were awarded based on points achieved, with the highest score winning best in class and the overall category trophy.
2018 Australian Cider Award winners:
Best in Show:William Smith & Sons – Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider
Best Traditional Cider:William Smith & Sons – Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider
Best New World Cider:Westons – Caple Road
Best Perry:Fils De Pømme – L’Épatant
Best Intensified / Distilled Cider or Perry:Small Acres Syder – Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau
Best Australian Cider or Perry:William Smith & Sons – Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider
Best International Cider or Perry: Westons – Caple Road
Most Successful Small Producer (less than 50,000l per year):Small Acres Cyder
Most Successful Larger Producer (more than 50,000l per year):William Smith & Sons
Champion of the Industry Award:David Pickering, researcher and apple orchardist, NSW
For more information and a full list of award and medal winners visit: https://www.cideraustralia.org.au/2018-cider-awards-announced/
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About Cider Australia
Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
To interview Cider Australia spokespeople or award winners, please contact:
Adrienne Pearson or Roberta Marcroft, Write Away Communication + Events
Ph: 02 9978 1400, Email: adrienne_pearson@writeaway.com.au roberta@writeaway.com.au
2018 Australian Cider Awards
Download the 2018 Cider Awards Booklet
Judging panel: Behn Payten (Chair), Eric West (US), Mike Bennie, Sebastian Crowther MS (Panel Chair), Nathan Hyde, Briony Liebich (Panel Chair), Jody Scott (NZ), James Duvnjak (Associate), Jess Ladha (Associate), Nick Stock (Spirits)
Trophies
- Best in Show: William Smith & Sons – Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider
- Best Traditional Cider: William Smith & Sons – Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider
- Best New World Cider: Westons – Caple Road
- Best Perry: Fils De Pømme – L’Épatant
- Best Intensified / Distilled Cider or Perry: Small Acres Syder – Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau
- Best Australian Cider or Perry: William Smith & Sons – Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider
- Best International Cider or Perry: Westons – Caple Road
- Most Successful Small Producer (less than 50,000 L/a): Small Acres Cyder
- Most Successful Larger Producer (more than 50,000 L/a): William Smith & Sons
- Champion of the Industry Award: David Pickering, researcher and apple orchardist, NSW
Best in Class
| Class | Class Name | Producer | Cider |
| 1 | New World Dry Cider | 3 Sons Cider | Pink Lady |
| 2 | New World Medium Cider | Westons | Caple Road |
| 3 | New World Medium Sweet Cider | Napoleone | Apple Cider |
| 4 | New World Sweet Cider | SPARKKE Apple Cider | SPARKKE Apple Cider |
| 5 | New World MT (disgorged) Cider | Core | 2015 Corerupted |
| 6 | Traditional Dry Cider | 3 Sons Cider | The Cranky Pom |
| 7 | Traditional Medium Cider | Kangaroo Island Ciders | Colony Cove Vintage Cider |
| 8 | Traditional Medium Sweet Cider | William Smith & Sons | Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider |
| 9 | Traditional Sweet Cider | LOBO | LOBO Royale |
| 10 | Traditional MT (disgorged) Cider | SMALL ACRES CYDER | Small Acres Cyder 2015 The Cat’s Pyjamas |
| 21 | New World Dry Perry | LOBO | LOBO Dry Pear |
| 22 | New World Medium Perry | Fils De Pømme | L’Épatant |
| 23 | New World Medium Sweet Perry | The Barossa Valley Cider Company | Squashed Pear Cider |
| 24 | New World Sweet Perry | Frank’s | Summer Pear Cider |
| 25 | New World MT (disgorged) Perry | Carmel Cider Company | Pear 14 |
| 26 | Traditional Dry Perry | no entries | |
| 27 | Traditional Medium Perry | CHEEKY GROG CO | PERRY PEAR |
| 28 | Traditional Medium Sweet Perry | Westons | Henry Westons Perry |
| 29 | Traditional Sweet Perry | no entries | |
| 30 | Traditional MT (disgorged) Perry | none awarded | |
| 31 | Experimental Cider or Perry | Funk Cider | American Hustle |
| 32 | Apple and Pear Blends | The Barossa Valley Cider Company | Squashed Cloudy Cider |
| 33 | Cider or Perry with Fruit | Funk Cider | Feijoa Cider |
| 34 | Lighter Strength Cider or Perry | Hillbilly Cider | Sweet Julie |
| 41 | Ice Cider or Perry | no entries | |
| 42 | Pommeau | Small Acres Cyder | Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau |
| 43 | Apple or Pear Spirits – Eau de Vie | Core Cider | Tractor Juice |
| 44 | Apple or Pear Spirits – Aged Spirit | Charles Oates | Charles Oates Fine Apple Brandy Tokay Barrel |
A new way to identify ciders made with 100% Australian grown fruit
Cider Australia has launched a world-first trust mark for craft ciders to educate consumers about the quality and origin of ingredients, and help them make more informed choices when buying cider. Developed by brand reputation architect Trevor Flett, in collaboration with Guy Taylor Consulting, the 100% Australian Grown trust mark aims to combat current labelling laws which make it difficult to identify from where fruit in a cider has been sourced. Less than 15 per cent of Australia’s cider market comprises craft ciders made with 100% Australian grown fruit.
According to Trevor Flett, the trust mark was developed over two months working closely with Cider Australia and Australian craft cider producers. “Creatively, introducing an apple icon needed to consider the many apple icons already in the marketplace – from NYC to the big technology products we all come across each day. The hand and apple combination was developed through a process of elimination. The design celebrates the hand-crafted nature of growing and producing craft cider. We wanted to highlight our point of difference, not our sameness, for this distinctive trust mark. The ochre colour is also iconically Australian, taking us ‘Back to Earth’. A vibrant and energetic house style, and look and feel, support this exciting new trust mark.”
“Authenticity is very important to our industry,” commented Sam Reid, Cider Australia president and craft cider producer. “The trust mark will help consumers to recognise what makes Australian craft ciders unique – a premium beverage made with 100% Australian grown apples or pears. This initiative also aims to drive significant growth for the Australian craft cider community, raising its profile both domestically and internationally.”
Supporting local fruit growers and craft cider producers, the launch of the trust mark is part of a larger campaign to build a sustainable cider industry in Australia and establish an export market for local brands. Cider Australia has been working with Wine Australia to develop the Australian Cider trust mark and brand proposition after receiving a $500,000 boost from the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package to market and grow Australian craft cider internationally.
“This is the single biggest investment the Australian cider industry has received from any government. The trust mark forms part of a broader strategy to elevate the craft cider category, lift competition and grow exports to allow greater investment in innovation,” added Mr Reid.
The trust mark also raises awareness among consumers that they are supporting Australian fruit growers, boosting Australian jobs in the craft cider making industry and helping regional communities in the process. Cider Australia estimates that approximately 30 per cent of drinkers will choose to drink a premium cider made with 100 per cent Australian-grown fruit if they have the choice and can identify these ciders.
The trust mark is only available to Cider Australia members to ensure the cider produced meets an industry standard, while providing complete integrity within the market. Consumers will start to see the trust mark on eligible craft ciders in retail outlets starting from November this year, rolling out more widely over summer.
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About Cider Australia
Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
To interview Cider Australia spokespeople and other industry representatives, please contact:
Adrienne Pearson or Roberta Marcroft
Write Away Communication + Events
Ph: 02 9978 1400
Email: adrienne_pearson@writeaway.com.au roberta@writeaway.com.au
A new way to identify ciders made with 100% Australian grown fruit
Cider Australia will launch a world first trust mark for craft ciders on October 5 to educate consumers about the quality and origin of ingredients, and help them make more informed choices when buying cider. Current labelling laws make it difficult to identify from where fruit in a cider has been sourced. Less than 15 per cent of Australia’s cider market comprises craft ciders made with 100% Australian grown fruit.
“I’m incredibly proud that we are the first country to develop a cider trust mark,” commented Sam Reid, Cider Australia president and craft cider producer. “Authenticity is very important to our industry. The trust mark will help consumers to recognise what makes Australian craft ciders unique – a premium beverage made with 100% Australian grown apples or pears. This initiative also aims to drive significant growth for the Australian craft cider community, raising its profile both domestically and internationally.”
Supporting local fruit growers and craft cider producers, the launch of the trust mark is part of a larger campaign to build a sustainable cider industry in Australia and establish an export market for local brands. Cider Australia has been working with Wine Australia to develop the trust mark and brand proposition after receiving a $500,000 boost from the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package to market and grow Australian craft cider internationally.
“This is the single biggest investment the Australian cider industry has received from any government. The trust mark forms part of a broader strategy to elevate the craft cider category, lift competition and grow exports to allow greater investment in innovation,” added Mr Reid.
The trust mark also raises awareness among consumers that they are supporting Australian fruit growers, boosting Australian jobs in the craft cider making industry and helping regional communities in the process. Cider Australia estimates that approximately 30 per cent of drinkers will choose to drink a premium cider made with 100 per cent Australian-grown fruit if they have the choice and can identify these ciders.
The trust mark will only be available to Cider Australia members to ensure the cider produced meets an industry standard, while providing complete integrity within the market. Consumers will start to see the trust mark on eligible craft ciders in retail outlets starting from November this year, rolling out more widely over summer.
The trust mark design will be officially launched in Sydney on Friday, October 5, in conjunction with the Australian Cider Forum and Australian Cider Awards gala dinner.
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About Cider Australia
Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
To interview Cider Australia spokespeople and other industry representatives, please contact:
Adrienne Pearson or Simone Esamie, Write Away Communication + Events
Ph: 02 9978 1400, Email: adrienne_pearson@writeaway.com.au simone@writeaway.com.au
Did you know?
Country of Origin Labelling
Cider is a fruit wine made from fermented juice, in this case the juice of apples and pears. The origin of the juice in cider is an important consideration for many consumers, and Cider Australia believes that labels on cider should identify the country of origin of the juice.
The Federal Government introduced a new Country of Origin Labelling system in 2016. Cider, as an alcoholic beverage, is classed as a non-priority food under the new rules. Non-priority foods must include a country of origin claim on labels. As a ‘substantially transformed’ product, the country of origin statement for cider must relate to where the product was ‘made’ (fermented), rather than where the ingredients were ‘grown’. As a result, cider labels do not need to identify the origin of the juice.
Definition of cider
There is no minimum juice content in products labelled as cider in Australia. This is in stark contrast to the rules in other key cider producing countries, such as the UK – which has a 35% minimum juice requirement, and the United States – where cider must contain at least 50% juice.
Cider Australia advocates for reform of the definition of cider and perry in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to ensure what is stated on the label aligns with consumer expectations, and the product composition requirements in comparable international markets such as the UK and United States.
Cider Australia believes that a product should not be labelled as cider or perry if it contains:
- less than 50% by weight of apple and/or pear juice, and/or
- alcohol specifically to increase ‘alcohol by volume’ (to ensure ready-to-drink style beverages are not called cider).
A world-class panel of cider experts will assemble in Melbourne next week to judge the 8th annual Australian Cider Awards.
Show organiser Cider Australia has announced record entries this year, with judges to critique 260 products from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, France, Spain and England.
Cider Australia Vice President Warwick Billings said the Awards recognise excellence in cider production and lay the foundations of the organisation’s efforts to build a sustainable cider category in Australia.
“This year we have seen continued strong growth in the Dry and Medium Cider classes and a quadrupling of entries in the Cider with Fruit class”, said Warwick.
“We introduced two new classes and refined our style guidelines to ensure the competition remains relevant to the rapidly evolving market, and the entry statistics are testament to the growing consumer demand for certain styles”.
Award winners will be announced at the industry’s annual gala dinner at the Mercure Sydney on Friday 5 October.
Warwick said that Cider Australia will also host an Australian Cider Forum on Friday 5 October that will feature the launch of a new 100% Australian Grown trust mark.
“Once the formalities are over, Sydney-siders can join us at the Australian Cider Festival at the Mercure Sydney on Saturday 6 October, to sample many of the best ciders available on our shores”, said Warwick.
For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au. Follow the Awards via twitter @cideraustralia and the #australianciderawards hashtag.
2018 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates
| US Cider Tasting (6pm) | Mon 24 Sept (Melbourne) |
| Judging (closed to public) | Tue 25 and Wed 26 Sept (Melbourne) |
| Australian Cider Forum (9.30am – 4.15pm)
Awards Dinner (6.30pm) |
Fri 5 Oct (Mercure Sydney) |
| Australian Cider Festival (12-6pm) |
Sat 6 Oct (Mercure Sydney) |
Media representatives are invited to visit the judging in central Melbourne, but this is closed to the public.
Tickets to the US Cider Tasting hosted by guest judge at the Australian Cider Awards, Eric West, are $30 and available through Eventbrite.
Tickets to the Australian Cider Festival are $40 (presale)/$45 (at the door) and available through Eventbrite.
Australia’s largest craft cider festival returns to Sydney next month mixing fun, frivolity, education and an amazing selection of local and internationally crafted ciders.
The sixth Australian Cider Festival will be held at the Mercure Sydney at the top of George Street, Chippendale from 12-6pm on Saturday 6th October.
Cider Australia President Sam Reid said festival attendees are in for a treat with 20+ craft cider producers to exhibit alongside a feast of tempting food and live entertainment.
“Festival goers will be able to sample and meet the makers of the best ciders available in Australia while relaxing on the Mercure’s sunny outdoor terrace – worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of Railway Square below”, Mr Reid said.
“Many of the ciders that producers will show at the festival can only be tasted when visiting cellar doors, so this is a great opportunity to try some weird and wonderful ciders you might not otherwise see”, said Mr Reid.
“There is no better place than the Australian Cider Festival to brush up your cider knowledge and join in the biggest celebration of craft cider ever held in Australia!”
The festival will be held in conjunction with the launch of the world’s first craft cider trust mark and the presentation of the 2018 Australian Cider Awards at a gala dinner on Friday 5th October.
Richard Feyn from Sydney Brewery said, “Sydney Brewery and the Mercure Sydney are proud to be supporting the festival as major sponsors this year, reflecting our support of Australian cider producers”.
Around 1,000 people are expected to attend the festival with 100+ local and international ciders available to taste, cider-matched food and master classes throughout the afternoon.
Cider brands appearing at the festival include Cheeky Grog Co, Darkes Cider, Flying Brick Cider Co, Hillbilly Cider, LOBO Cider, Incy Wincy Cyder, Kelly Brothers Cider Co, Napoleone Cider, Pomologist Cider, Sydney Cider, The Apple Thief, Westons Australia and Willie Smith’s Cider.
Tickets to the festival are $40 presale or $45 at the door and include unlimited free tastings, a tasting glass and program.
To buy tickets visit eventbrite.com.au. Visit facebook.com/australianciderfestival or cideraustralia.org.au for more details.
Contact office@cideraustralia.org.au with stallholder queries.
Cider making excellence will be under the spotlight at the annual Australian Cider Awards, which opened for entries today.
Australia’s largest cider show enters its eighth year with expectations of more than 300 entries and a commitment to show the world that Australian ciders are up there with the best.
President of Cider Australia and co-founder of Willie Smith’s Cider Makers in Tasmania Sam Reid said the Awards have become a stamp of quality that producers respect and aspire towards.
“By recognising excellence in production we encourage the cider industry to keep building skills, investing and pushing the boundaries of what consumers expect”, said Mr Reid.
“We have introduced a new low alcohol cider and perry class this year in response to growth in this segment of the market, and predict a continued surge in entries of more complex traditional ciders and craft spirits.
“Every year more entries excite and “wow” the palates of our judges, and we can’t wait to see what emerges this year.
“This year with the Australian industry beginning to focus on exporting as part of the $500,000 Export and Regional Wine Support package there will be an even greater focus on how Australian ciders perform against their International counterparts, and I for one can’t wait until the Awards dinner!”, he said.
Twenty-eight classes will be judged covering standard cider and perry, specialty and intensified and distilled styles.
Winners will be announced at a gala industry dinner on Friday 5th October at the Mercure Sydney, with more celebrations at the Australian Cider Festival on Saturday 6th October.
Enter the 2018 Australian Cider Awards online via www.cideraustralia.org.au/awards
Entries close on Friday 31st August 2018.
FULL DETAILS ON AWARD CLASSES AND RULES ARE IN THE 2018 Style Guide AND 2018 Competition Information.
For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au. Follow the Awards via twitter @cideraustralia and the #australianciderawards hashtag.
2018 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates
| Entries Open | Fri 1 June |
| Entries Close | Fri 31 Aug |
| Deliver Entries | 3 – 14 Sept |
| Judging (closed to public) | Tue 25 and Wed 26 Sept (Melbourne) |
| Awards Presentation | Fri 5 Oct (Sydney) |
| Australian Cider Festival | Sat 6 Oct (Sydney) |
Media representatives are invited to visit the judging in central Melbourne, but this is closed to the public.
BATLOW, NSW
The Australian Craft Cider industry is coming of age according to the national cider industry body.
Members of Cider Australia deliberated the organisation’s evolving industry growth strategy at its Annual General Meeting yesterday in Batlow, NSW.
Sam Reid, co-owner of Tasmania’s Willie Smith’s Organic Apple Cider was returned for the fifth year as president of Cider Australia to work alongside a talented and dedicated executive team.
“The Australian Government’s $500,000 investment in the Australian Craft Cider industry under the Export and Regional Wine Support Package is bringing the industry together and helping us to define what makes us unique”, said Mr Reid.
Wine Australia representatives and brand strategist Guy Taylor, who has been engaged by Wine Australia and Cider Australia to build a brand proposition for Australian Craft Cider, spoke about the Package and the projects that will help competitively differentiate the sector in international markets.
“The brand proposition and go-to-market strategy being developed as part of this investment will help Craft Cider producers to enter export markets in a unified fashion, increasing exports and achieving better results”, noted Mr Reid.
Cider Australia is also developing an industry-sponsored ‘trust mark’ to enable consumers to identify ciders made with 100% Australian grown fruit, and an R&D agenda that engages researchers across Australia on projects that deliver long term sustainable growth in the Australian cider industry.
“With so much happening in cider the industry is growing up very fast, and we are more than ready for the challenge”, said Mr Reid.
Cider Australia’s 2018 Executive Committee
President – Sam Reid, Willie Smith’s Organic Cider (TAS)
Vice President – Warwick Billings, LOBO Cider (SA)
Vice President – Nyall Condon, Flying Brick Cider Co (VIC)
Treasurer – Shane McLaughlin, Hillbilly Cider (NSW)
Secretary – Gus Kelly, Kelly Brothers Cider Co (VIC)
Category Development – Ben Clifton, Beechworth Cider (VIC)
Digital – Mark Ellis (VIC)
For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au
