2026- what a scorcher!

It seems strange to talk about heat in the cold dark depths of January, but 2025 was hot and dry. There was no late frost, resulting in a heavy crop, with a couple of weeks of rains just before harvest to plump the apples a little bit. Sugar levels were high, meaning a higher ABV.

The orchard is on a really steep hill on the edge of Dartmoor with thin soil that's really prone to drying out. Unfortunately, this meant I lost four trees on the, including one that was nearly 10. I'm looking to replace them, but the successors will take time to get to maturity. However the remaining trees more than made up for it and I had a stonking crop. I had to turn some local apples away which was tragic as they just rot on the ground but I've filled every tank. This means racking - when I move the fermented juice off the dead yeast - is going to be a mathematical exercise as I move things in 30 litre increments in and out of my one remaining container.

Bag-in-box sales have been great this year with the Royal Oak joining my small and select group of outlets. Sales of my pet nat and bottle conditioned, an area of focus for 2026, have been less strong but I'm now on sale at Roots farm shop and The Oak in Bath.

All in all a good year, interesting to see what crazyness 2026 brings.

Cheers from the orchard!