Dunkertons Artisan Cider
One of the most popular TV programmes in the late 1970’s was The Good Life, a sit-com that advocated the benefits and joys of country living and self-sufficiency. One young, London couple, who had the courage to act on the dream, was Ivor and Susie Dunkerton and where better to choose for their new life than Pembridge in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside.
They moved to a smallholding on the outskirts of the village in 1980 and, with a limited amount of land, they needed to come up with a clever way to support the lifestyle that they craved. They felt that doing something with local, organic produce would be best suited to their business ethos and that, coupled with the Herefordshire tradition of cider-making, made the decision easy.
Ivor and Susie made their cider in the traditional way, without chemicals or additives. They tended to their soil and trees to produce the finest cider apples and perry pears and the resulting artisan cider and perry soon gained popularity. In 1988, their organic credentials were recognised and they were awarded a Soil Association certificate for their commitment to the environment and they soon attracted other organic growers, anxious to supply Dunkertons, allowing their business to grow.
Fast-forward to 2014 and Dunkertons artisan cider and perry was as popular as ever. Ivor and Susie, though, were ready to retire and so they brought in their son, Julian Dunkerton, to take over the business. Julian was already a very successful businessman in his own right. He is the CEO of Superdry, the global fashion company and also the owner of the Lucky Onion group of hotels and bars. In 2016, he collaborated with Jeremy Benson, of Benson’s fruit juices, to expand the business and, to allow for this expansion, Julian moved production to land at Dowdeswell near Cheltenham, where it continues to grow and become popular across the world.
Meanwhile, the Pembridge orchards are still thriving and the cider shop there continues to open every week.
Jennifer Christie Temple
