A Tasmanian producer has taken out the major prize at the 2022 Australian Cider Awards.
William Smith & Sons from the Huon Valley in southern Tasmania won Best in Show, the Best Traditional Cider and Most Successful Larger Producer trophies.
The Heritage Blend Apple Cider wowed the judges with its deep apple characters, balanced tannins and lingering, bold finish.
Winners across a number of categories were crowned last week at a gala dinner in the Adelaide Hills.
This was the second awards show of the year after it was decided the 2021 awards would be delayed until January 2022.
This also impacted entry numbers, according to President of Cider Australia, Warwick Billings.
“It is great to get the show back on track, and important to the cider community to run the show prior to the summer selling season,” he said.
A field of 212 Australian and international entries across 24 classes was judged by a panel of industry professionals with nine gold medals and eight trophies 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)