Cider Australia has announced the winners of the 2022 Australian Cider Awards at a gala dinner this evening at Lot 100 in the Adelaide Hills.William Smith & Sons from the Huon Valley in Tasmania won Best in Show, the Best Traditional Cider and Most Successful Larger Producer trophies, with their Heritage Blend Apple Cider wowing the judges with its deep apple characters, balanced tannins and lingering, bold finish. Hosted by Cider Australia and supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, the Awards promotes and rewards excellence in cider production. This is the 11th national show and the first presentation event to be held in South Australia. President of Cider Australia Warwick Billings said running the 2022 Awards to its traditional Spring schedule and with an international guest judge – Yann Gilles from France – was a significant achievement in a climate of ongoing disruption and uncertainty. A field of 212 Australian and international entries across 24 classes was judged by a panel of respected industry professionals led by chief judge Sebastian Crowther MS of Real Wines.Nine gold medals and eight trophies were awarded. 2022 Australian Cider Award Trophy winners: Best in Show: William Smith & Sons with Heritage Blend Apple Cider (TAS)Best New World Cider: The Hills Cider Company with Apple Cider (SA)Best Traditional Cider: William Smith & Sons with Heritage Blend Apple Cider (TAS)Best Perry: Core Cider with Perilous 2020 (WA)Best Specialty Cider or Perry: Roleystone Brewing Co with Rosé Cheeks (WA)Best Intensified / Distilled Cider or Perry: Carmel Cider Company with Apple Brandy (WA)Most Successful Small Producer: LOBO Juice and Cider (SA)Most Successful Larger Producer: William Smith & Sons (TAS) Cider Australia also honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian cider industry over a prolonged period of time through its Champion of the Industry Award. This Award was presented to Andrew Lea from the UK.

2022 Best in Class Winners

Class 1 – New World Cider Dry Lucidity Sturmer Pippin Apple CiderWilliam Smith & Sons, Tasmania, Australia
Class 2 – New World Cider Medium Apple CiderThe Hills Cider Company, South Australia, Australia
Class 3 – New World Cider Medium Sweet Perth CiderFunk Cider, Western Australia, Australia
Class 4 – New World Cider Sweet Royal Apple CiderMock Red Hill, Victoria, Australia
Class 5 – New World Cider Mt (Disgorged) Bradys Lookout Cider 2018 Heritage Blend Mt Cuvee 12Bradys Lookout Cider, Tasmania, Australia
Class 6 – Traditional Cider Dry LOBO LenswulfLOBO Juice And Cider, South Australia, Australia
Class 7 – Traditional Cider Medium Heritage Blend Apple CiderWilliam Smith & Sons, Tasmania, Australia
Class 8 – Traditional Cider Medium Sweet Plenty Cornucopia 2021Plenty Cider , Tasmania, Australia
Class 9 – Traditional Cider Sweet Not Awarded
Class 10 – Traditional Cider Mt (Disgorged) MC CiderFlying Brick Cider Co , Victoria, Australia
Class 11 – Speciality Styles Apple And Pear Blends LOBO Apple And PearLOBO Juice And Cider, South Australia, Australia
Class 21 – New World Perry Dry Upside Down Miss Jane3 Sons Cider, Australian Capital Territory
Class 22 – New World Perry Medium Pear CiderThe Hills Cider Company, South Australia, Australia
Class 23 – New World Perry Medium Sweet Squashed Pear CiderThe Barossa Valley Cider Company, South Australia,
Class 24 – New World Perry Sweet Spreyton Pear CiderSpreyton Cider Co, Tasmania, Australia
Class 25 – New World Perry Mt (Disgorged) St Ronan’s Methode Traditional Pear CiderEdgar Pines, Victoria, Australia
Class 26 – Traditional Perry Dry Old Twelfth PerryOld Twelfth, Tasmania, Australia
Class 27 – Traditional Perry Medium Not Awarded
Class 28 – Traditional Perry Medium Sweet Not Awarded
Class 29 – Traditional Perry Sweet Not Awarded
Class 30 – Traditional Perry Mt (Disgorged) Core Cider Perilous 2020Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
Class 31 – Speciality Styles Experimental Cider Or Perry Bilpin Non Alc Apple GingerBilpin Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia
Class 33 – Speciality Styles Cider Or Perry With Fruit Rose’ CheeksRoleystone Brewing Co, Western Australia
Class 34 – Speciality Styles Lighter Strength Cider Or Perry Darkes PerryGlenbernie Orchard T/As Darkes Cider, NSW
Class 35 – Specialty Styles Cider Or Perry With Herbs\Spices Galaxy Hopped Apple CiderMismatch Brewing Co, South Australia, Australia
Class 41 – Intensified And Distilled Styles Ice Cider Or Perry Not Awarded
Class 42 – Intensified And Distilled Styles Pommeau Harcourt PommeauHarcourt Perry & Cider Makers, Victoria, Australia
Class 43 – Intensified And Distilled Styles Eau De Vie Eau De VieCarmel Cider Company, Western Australia
Class 44 – Intensified And Distilled Styles Aged Spirit Apple BrandyCarmel Cider Company, Western Australia

Check out the full list of 2022 Australian Cider Awards entries and results here

I hope to make it to the awards next year.

Don’t forget to get your Real Cider Reviews merch