INDEPENDENT, family-owned Sandford Orchards  is celebrating two more awards for its hugely popular session cider, Devon Red. It has just scooped a Gold at the Food Drink Devon Awards and a Silver at the Great British Food Awards.

These are in addition to the Gold it was awarded at the Taste of The West Awards earlier this year.

Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards comments: “Devon Red is our flagship cider and the one that is most well-known and widely adored by our fans.

“Just last year it was voted ‘best drink’ by the readers of ‘Food Lifestyle Magazine’.

“However, we are sometimes, perhaps, a little complacent about just how good it is.

“So this year, we decided to put this to the test with the professionals and entered it into three award competitions. We are thrilled to say that it has returned victorious from each one. Across the board, the judging panels, which included some leading drinks experts, have recognised Devon Red as an award-winning cider.” 

Devon Red (ABV 4.5 per cent) is a naturally tasty and utterly delicious, crisp and fruity cider. It takes its name from the rich red Devon soil that gives the orchards their distinctive quality. It is a refreshing, balanced apple cider packed with the juice of Farmers Glory, Dabinett and Sweet Alford apples, all grown and pressed in Devon.

The Great British Food Awards were launched in 2014 to celebrate the country's finest artisanal produce, as well as the hard-working people behind the scenes.

This year’s awards were judged by some incredibly high profiled industry experts including michelin-starred chefs, Raymond Blanc and Michele Roux junior and TV personality and drinks expert, Olly Smith.

The Food Drink Devon Awards, now in their 13th year, celebrate the best food and drink the region has to offer. This year over 340 products were judged by a panel of independent and unbiased experts which included renowned drinks writers Fiona Beckett and Susy Atkins and TV drinks presenter, Andy Clarke.

Sandford Orchards was founded in 2002 and is based in Crediton in the oldest working cider mill in the UK.