Historic South Devon cider maker, Hunt’s Cider, has completed a significant expansion by opening a new bottling and kegging facility at its Stoke Gabriel site. This move brings the entire cider-making process, from pressing to packaging, under one roof, securing the future of the eighth-generation family business.
Key Takeaways
- Hunt’s Cider has invested in a new bottling and kegging facility, bringing production in-house.
- The expansion is expected to save significant costs previously incurred on external packaging.
- The family business, established in 1805, aims to strengthen its long-term resilience and keep production rooted in South Devon.
- Future plans include developing a visitor centre with a café and shop.
Bringing Production Home
The newly opened facility allows Hunt’s Cider to manage the complete cider-making journey on-site. This includes pressing fruit from orchards across Devon, fermentation, and finally, packaging and distribution. Siblings Annette and Richard Hunt, alongside their parents Roger and Christine, are at the helm of this eighth-generation family enterprise, which dates back to 1805.
Annette Hunt highlighted the transformative impact of the new setup. "We now can grow fruit from orchards across Devon, press it, ferment it and package it ready to go to the customer all in one place, which we’re extremely proud of," she stated. Previously, the company relied on contract packagers in Somerset and Bristol, incurring substantial transport and bottling costs estimated at around £30,000 and £120,000 annually, respectively.
Investment and Support
The expansion project received support from various funding streams, including the Farming Transformation Fund via DEFRA, Farming in Protected Landscapes, and South Hams District Council. This investment is seen as crucial for enhancing efficiency and ensuring the long-term resilience of the business, reinforcing its commitment to South Devon.
Roger Hunt, who has farmed in the region for decades, views the investment as a culmination of a lifetime dedicated to building the business. The Hunt family’s roots in the area go back to the 1950s when Roger’s father purchased land in Stoke Gabriel, transitioning from their original farming operations in Yelverton.
Diversified Operations and Future Vision
Beyond cider production, the Hunt family’s operations encompass agriculture and tourism. They also manage Broadleigh Farm Park, a nine-acre caravan and camping site that attracts visitors from across the UK and forms an integral part of their diversified business model.
Looking ahead, Hunt’s Cider has ambitious plans for further development. Once the bottling hall is operating at full capacity, the next phase involves creating a destination for visitors, complete with a café, shop, and tourism space. The family also remains committed to supporting local clubs and community groups, viewing it as central to their ethos and their role in helping people reconnect with the countryside.
