James McConnel had been growing cider apples on terraces on his farm near Skenfrith since 1969 but had never looked seriously at the idea of making and marketing his own cider despite an interest in cider making. Traditionally, all his cider apples were sent to Bulmers in Hereford but when in 2006 they were unable to contract the entire tonnage of his crop, he hired in the machinery to wash and juice the surplus apples on site, and Ty Gwyn cider was born. The finished cider turned out exceptionally well and soon expert opinion convinced them that their product had great potential and so began the process of marketing and selling the cider. They worked hard to perfect their own version of the cider maker's art as well as creating a distinctive label, making sure that the prose contained on it avoided gastro-clichés in favour of a sense of fun. It name checks Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Rolls-Royce and Henry V, all loosely speaking by-products of the local area. Their strategy was simple. To sell the cider into the outlets where it would be most appreciated and to build up a customer base of both cider aficionados and those making the leap to fine farm cider from the big cider brands such as Magners and Strongbow. In Monmouthshire they found plenty of businesses recognising the value of stocking quality local produce from the smaller supplier whose eye for detail is perhaps more focused than the larger companies. One such business quick to pick up on Ty Gwyn’s quality and marketability was the Felin Fach Griffin, a celebrated pub/restaurant near Brecon. Edmund Inkin co-owner of the Griffin quickly saw the appeal: “Ty Gwyn Cider typifies what we are looking for: farmers going further down the production chain (and up the value chain) making a sustainable business for themselves and an outstanding product for us” It's been a tougher time recently for the giant cider brands such as Magners, small cider businesses are doing well and seem to have found an appreciative market. It is perhaps wishful thinking on their behalf to say that the palate of the cider drinker quickly outgrows mass produced 'fizzy' cider and leads to the more discerning world of farm or organic cider, but it is certainly the hope of all of us here at Ty Gwyn Cider. Home History Making Cider Stockists Events Shop Contact Produced at Whitehouse Farm - info@tygwyncider.co.uk