Cider Australia has welcomed global cider expert, Gabe Cook, to Australia, where he has already participated as a judge in the 2025 Australian Cider Awards (ACA), and will host a Baltic-style cider masterclass in Sydney, having hosted in Melbourne last week.
The masterclass will explore cider making in Latvia, Estonia and Finland, a region Cook describes as “a small but passionate and quality-driven community of cider makers”.
Masterclass participants will learn about cool-climate production, wild fermentation, pet-nat and naturally sparkling styles that characterise Baltic ciders. Cook says the sessions aim to broaden Australian producers’ understanding of international approaches and inspire innovation. “Cider can have all the elegance and finesse of a fine wine and all of the character and attitude of a craft beer,” he said.
This week will also see Cider Australia host its 2025 Australian Cider Awards. This year’s awards feature 31 classes across three categories: Standard, Specialty, and Intensified/Distilled. The winners will be announced at the presentation dinner, which takes place in Sydney on Thursday, 30 October.
Cider Australia says the awards aim to raise industry standards through rigorous judging and education, highlighting that significant investment is made each year in professional development for producers and judges.
The association said for Australian makers, the masterclass and competition provide valuable benchmarking and networking opportunities. For retailers, sommeliers and bar operators, Cook’s insights will offer new ways to understand and communicate cider’s diversity and potential – from terroir-driven craft styles to innovative, low-alcohol offerings.
Full details on the masterclass and the awards are available on the Cider Australia website.