When Life Gives You Apples - Make Cider

While most people know Head Winemaker Sam Picton for his work with our English Sparkling wines, he’s also been quietly experimenting behind the scenes. Between tending to the vines and nurturing the wine in tank, Sam has been slipping away to our orchard - to try his hand at something a little different... cider. 

Our limited‑edition Shepherd’s Hut Cider is crafted entirely on site, using apples grown in our beautiful orchard that sits right beside the vineyard here in Bishop’s Stortford. If you’ve ever wandered past on a sunny afternoon, you’ll know the spot - the trees heavy with fruit, the shepherd’s hut tucked to the side. 

Sam approached it with the same care and precision he brings to our sparkling wines. It’s bottle‑fermented, just like our traditional‑method fizz, giving it extra depth and character. On the palate it’s crisp, dry, and beautifully clean, with a subtle orchard fruit note that reminds you exactly where it came from. And at 8%, it packs a confident, fruity punch - the kind that makes you sit up a little straighter and smile.

Because it’s a small‑batch release, you won’t find it online or in shops. Shepherd’s Hut Cider is available exclusively through our cellar door and tasting room, ready to be enjoyed inside or on the terrace, or taken home to be enjoyed. 

If you’re visiting us soon, ask for a taste - we love seeing people’s faces when they realise just how good orchard‑to‑bottle cider can be.