Willie Smith’s

Huon Valley, Tasmania

 Situated on 115 acres, our farm is 35 mins South of Hobart in the Huon Valley, a once thriving apple growing region that exported apples all over the globe and earned Tasmania the moniker of 'The Apple Isle'.

William Smith (Willie) moved to the Huon Valley, Tasmania in the 1800’s and planted the first tree in 1888 for the orchard that that is still picked from today. Fast forward to today and descendant Andrew Smith came to the conclusion that the only thing he could do to improve the already great fruit was by doing even less to it and made the move the business into the organic space.

The one current unique and complex cider offering from Willie Smiths follows the tradition of farmhouse ciders from northern France. Produced from a blend of organic Tasmanian apples, left to mature and micro-oxidise for 48 hours developing colour and a rounded flavour. After fermentation with aromatic white wine yeasts is complete, the cider is separated; one half is matured in new French oak for up to 6 months, the rest is left to undergo malo-lactic fermentation. The Master Cidermaker blends the components to produce a well-balanced and flavour rich dry cider and transfers it to the maturation tanks for 4 weeks.

The cider is then sweetened with fresh juice and stabilised just enough to make sure it reaches the consumer in perfect condition.

We like to think of this as a cider for craft beer drinkers. We have thrown in everything we possibly could, including the kitchen sink to make the best possible cider we could.

The result… a truly distinctive Cider and a complex drink worthy of serious contemplation. Enjoy!

YEAR ROUND SELECTION

  • ORGANIC APPLE CIDER


    5.0% ABV · 355ml Can / Draft
    Unfiltered, Organic Cider

    Produced from a blend of Tasmanian apples left to develop and mature on the tree to boost flavour and sugar levels this cider uses a complex process of production to generate flavour levels that sets it apart from the mainstream.

    After pressing, our apple is left to mature and micro-oxidise for 48 hours developing colour and a rounded flavour. Fermentation with aromatic white wine yeasts then proceeds slowly as dictated by the cool Tasmanian autumn.

    After fermentation we separate portions of the fresh cider; one is matured in new French oak, the rest is left to undergo malo-lactic fermentation. At this point, our Master Cider maker blends the components to produce a well-balanced and flavour rich dry cider and transfers it to our maturation tanks.

    After 4 weeks in cool maturation, the cider is ready to be sweetened with fresh juice and stabilised just enough to make sure it reaches the consumer in perfect condition.

    The resulting cider is a truly complex drink worthy of serious contemplation. For its strength, the cider is notably delicate on the palate with a balance of light acidity and warm apple sweetness.

    Rounded buttery notes and hints of toast and wood from barrel ageing create and rich depth with the well-matured apple juice and long maturation rounding the cider out giving great drinkability.

  • BONE DRY CIDER


    7.2% ABV · 355ml Can / Draft
    Dry English style, Unfiltered Cider

    Willie Smiths Bone Dry is an English style cider, inspired by Sam’s visit to Somerset & Herefordshire in summer 2013.

    Fermented out to dry, it is oak aged and aged with new French oak for a minimum of 3 months giving a super dry flavour profile with a big oak body and smooth clean finish that lingers with you long afterwards (not for the faint hearted).

  • TRADITIONAL BLEND


    5.2% ABV · 355ml Can / Draft
    Traditional Cider Apple Cider

    The Traditional Cider Apple Blend has been carefully crafted and inspired by the old-world style and methods of French and English cider makers. Willie Smith’s Traditional cider is a delicious blend of traditional French and British heirloom cider apples that contribute complexity, texture, lifted fresh apple aromas and deep honeyed toffee notes to the cider.

    The front palate is rich and smooth and gives way to a drying grippy finish, making it a cider that is both medium sweet and drying at the same time.

  • NON-ALCOHOLIC APPLE CIDER

    ABV 0.5% · (GF) (LF) (NF) · 355ml Can

    Crafted to be more than just sparkling apple juice. Refined and refreshing, not too sweet with balanced acidity to provide structure. Low sugar and strength, but full enjoyment. Always be part of the party and stay in the game.

    100% Tasmanian Apples Seasonal heirloom cider varieties plus Pink Lady, Fuji and Royal Gal