Small Acres Cyder at Nashdale has just won the trophy for the Most Successful Small Producer at the 2018 Australian Cider Awards in Sydney.

And owners Gail and James Kendell also won a trophy for the Best Intensified/Distilled Cider of 2018.

Mr Kendell  said it was recognition for the quality of their products.

“This is the second year in a row we have won the trophy for Most Successful Small Producer,” he said.

“We won two trophies and nine medals in total, two gold, two silver and five bronze medals.”

David Pickering also received the Champion of Industry award for his work with Mrs Kendell in establishing the awards in 2010 and the industry association Cider Australia in 2011 with Mr Kendell.

Mr Kendell said the awards were now recognised globally and had entries from several countries whose products were sold in Australia.

“Cider has been around for a long time in Australia but up until recently there has been a limited choice,” he said.

“What is growing at the moment is the old-world European style apples.

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“You get a cider that’s really more structured like wine or a champagne rather than the easy drinking  style that has been around for a long time.

“The Australian palate is changing, they are looking for a more drier style.”

Mr Kendell said Cider Australia had also launched its industry ‘Trust Mark’ to recognise ‘certified’ cider producers who used 100 per cent Australian grown apples.