Apple and pear growers, cider producers, marketers, juicing company representatives and industry suppliers will once again converge on the picturesque apple growing community of Batlow for the 2016 Cider Industry Conference and CiderFest in May.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Temperate Fruits Development Officer, Kevin Dodds said the conference now in its fourth year continues to attract high quality speakers, presenting on all aspects of cider production.

The Cider Industry Conference is the only event of its type in the Oceania region, making it an important point of reference and networking opportunity for all stakeholders in this rapidly growing industry,” Mr Dodds said.

This year’s international key note speaker is Dr Carol Miles, Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Washington State University. Dr Miles is the Horticulture Specialist located at WSU Mount Vernon, Washington Research Station where since 2009 she has led the cider apple research program. Her work focuses on cider apple juice analysis and mechanical harvesting.

Dr Miles will deliver two presentations at this year’s conference covering the North American Hard Cider Industry, Cider Characterisation research and Cider Orchard design and mechanical harvesting.

By popular demand our Cider Sensory Session is on again in 2016 and will be led by Mr Drew Henry form ‘Henry’s of Harcourt’ in Victoria. This session will feature some of Mr Henry’s traditional style single variety ciders including Kingston Black, Yarlington Mill, Michelin, Woodbine, Foxwhelp (first ferment) and a Pink Lady blend.

Other topics on the program include:

  •  The Cider Market Update – Mark Shimmen, Pinnacle Drinks
  • A history of Cider Production at Braidwood, NSW and the story of Sully’s Cider – Gary Watkins-Sully (Sully’s Cider & Wine, Braidwood, NSW)
  • Sourcing Cider Varieties in Australia – David Pickering (Cideroz)
  • Building a Cider Vinegar Business – Ralph Wilson, Wilgro Orchards, Batlow
  • Tooling-up for Small to Medium scale cider production – Andrew Watt, Winequip Australia

Bookings are essential for the Cider Industry Conference and InCiders Networking Session on Friday 20 May 9:00am – 7:30pm at the Batlow RSL Club. Book online

The conference is part of a two day event in Batlow, NSW which also features a street festival all about cider and food.  On Saturday 21st May, 2016, Pioneer Street in Batlow will be closed to traffic and filled with Cider Stalls, Hot and cold foods and local entertainers.  In just 5 years, Batlow CiderFest has grown to become a flagship event on the NSW events calendar. Through-out the day, an estimated 8,000 visitors will visit CiderFest to sample some great Aussie Ciders.  The atmosphere of the fest is amazing and it’s a highlight for the little apple growing town located in the Snowy Mountains.

More details are available on the 20016 Batlow CiderFest website and facebook page or contact Kevin Dodds NSW DPI on 02 69411405

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