After a year when the cider category took a hit, with volumes declining 7.4% (IBISWorld figures), you wouldn’t expect to hear good news.

But ask any producer of premium craft cider and they’ll tell you that business is going gangbusters, with a huge 10% annual growth matching closely to that of craft beer. Importantly, this explosion has been driven by a squad of boutique, quality-focused cideries that we really like at Kaddy.

Today, we want to highlight a few of the local ciders that you need to discover:

Small Acres Cyder

Founded by James & Gail Kendall some sixteen years ago, Small Acres’ point of difference has always been a focus on traditional English cider apple varieties. Combine that with a range of bottle-fermented vintage styles, and this Orange region stalwart is understandably a hero.

The winner of more than 130 industry awards including Most Successful Small Producer 2017, 2018 and 2019 and Best Cider In Show at the Red Hill Cider Awards in 2021, Small Acres is one of the country's finest cider producers.

Don’t miss the new Small Acres Heritage Blend Cider, which showcases a blend of almost a dozen heritage English and French cider apples.

Hart's Farm

Hart’s Farm is probably better known for its benchmark olives and olive oil, but this Mornington Peninsula producer’s foray into cider ten years ago has produced rich rewards.

Now with over 320 heritage apple trees on the property and with their own Maurer Gep processing line on-site, Hart’s Farm has earned a reputation for fine cider (and an array of specialty cider and apple drinks).

Don’t miss the Dry Cider from here, which famously won the Gold Medal Winner & Best in Class at the Australian Cider Awards 2019.

Notably, the deliciously intense Cidre de Glace - Hart’s Farm’s deliciously sweet take on the Normandy Ice Cider - shouldn't be missed, offering an intriguing alternative for any dessert-focused wine list.

Capital Cider Co.

This range of craft cider from Nelson in New Zealand couples eye-catching packaging with pure New Zealand apples.

Bridging the gap between craft beer and wine, Capital Cider Co. this cidery was famously declared as the champion of Modern Ciders at the 2020 New Zealand Cider Awards.

The wine connection here comes from Head cider maker Trudy Sheild, who has 15 years winemaking experience in New Zealand, Australia and Italy.

The Capital Cider Co. products are a definitive tier above too, with a range of single-variety apple releases showcasing some of the heritage cultivars.

We’re excited to be the only place in Australia for you to source these unique craft NZ ciders.

Explore the cider range at Kaddy Marketplace