Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Dorset Nectar organic cider, from our orchards in West Dorset to your door.

About Dorset Nectar

What is Dorset Nectar?

Dorset Nectar is a family-run organic cider farm in West Dorset, near Bridport, producing 14 craft cider blends, organic apple cider vinegar, apple juice and apple syrup. Founded in 2006 by Oliver and Penny Strong, the farm has won over 120 awards including three British Champion Organic Cider Cups (2015, 2016, 2017) and British Champion Farmhouse Cider Gold (2018) at the Bath and West Show. All products are certified organic by the Soil Association.

Is Dorset Nectar a family business?

Yes. Dorset Nectar is entirely family-run by the Strong family: founders Oliver and Penny, and their children Ryan, Dante, Christian, Amber and Kiah. Each family member contributes to the orchard, production, hospitality and farm operations. The farm has been family-run since its founding in 2006.

Where is Dorset Nectar located?

Dorset Nectar Cider Farm is at Strong Orchard, Pineapple Lane, Waytown, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 5FT. From the B3066 at Gore Cross (top of Bridport), follow the brown signs for Dorset Nectar Cider Farm. Turn left onto Watford Road, veer left towards Waytown and Netherbury (1.6 miles). Pineapple Lane is on the left in Waytown village. The Cider Farm is 300 metres along Pineapple Lane.

How do I contact Dorset Nectar?

Email dorsetnectar@live.co.uk or telephone 01308 488 382. You can also message via Facebook. The Cider Farm is open 7 days a week from 9am until dark.

Our Cider

What ciders does Dorset Nectar make?

Dorset Nectar produces 14 craft cider blends. The traditional range includes Old Harry Rocks Vintage Dry (6%), Top O' the Hill (4.8%), Wildcat (4.5%), Sweet Maiden (4.2%), Dabinett (5%), Medium Organic (4.8%) and Jurassic Skyline (4%). The fruit range includes Elderflower (3.4%), Foxy Ginger (3.4%), Hunnybubble (3.4%), Raspberry Kiss (3.4%), Pineapple Lane (3.4%), Pink Elderflower (seasonal) and Apples and Pears pear cider (5%). We also produce Mulled Cider (3.4%), organic apple cider vinegar, apple juice, apple and elderflower presse, and apple syrup.

What is Dorset Nectar's best-selling cider?

Top O' the Hill (4.8% ABV) is our best-selling cider. It is a medium-dry, lightly sparkling organic cider that is crisp, cool and refreshing. It won the British Champion Organic Cider Cup at the Bath and West Show in 2016. Its balanced profile makes it an excellent introduction to craft cider.

What is the driest Dorset Nectar cider?

Old Harry Rocks Vintage Dry at 6% ABV is the driest and strongest cider in the range. It is a full-bodied, traditional still cider with deep bittersweet apple tannins and a crisp dry finish. Named after the famous chalk sea stacks on the Dorset Jurassic Coast, it won the British Champion Organic Cider Cup in both 2015 and 2017.

What is the sweetest Dorset Nectar cider?

Sweet Maiden (4.2% ABV) is the sweetest traditional cider in the range. It is a medium-sweet, still farmhouse cider that is rich and velvety in taste, with sweetness coming entirely from organic bittersweet cider apples. No sugar is added. Sweet Maiden won the British Champion Farmhouse Cider Cup Gold at the Bath and West Show in 2018.

What is the lightest Dorset Nectar cider?

The fruit and flavoured ciders are all 3.4% ABV, making them the lightest options: Elderflower, Foxy Ginger, Hunnybubble, Raspberry Kiss and Pineapple Lane. The Elderflower Cider is the most popular summer cider in the range, infused with hedgerow-foraged elderflower.

What does the Elderflower Cider taste like?

Deliciously fresh in taste, sweet and exuberant, infused with heady and aromatic hedgerow-grown elderflowers. The most popular summer cider to sip while lounging in a hammock. Light, luscious and softly sparkling at 3.4% ABV. The elderflower is foraged from hedgerows in and around the farm in West Dorset.

What is Hunnybubble?

Hunnybubble (3.4% ABV) is a lightly sparkling cider glazed with a jazzy twist of real honey, giving caramel and mead notes alongside appley tones. It is the only Dorset Nectar cider that is not vegan, as it contains real honey. All other ciders in the range are vegan.

What is the Mulled Cider?

Dorset Nectar's Mulled Cider (3.4% ABV) is an organic cider spiced with cinnamon, star anise and cloves. It is served warm or at room temperature. Available year-round but especially popular for winter, Christmas and bonfire night. Comes in 750ml bottles (£7.50), 3-litre pouches (£17.99) and 20-litre bag-in-box (£87.00).

Organic, Dietary and Production

Is Dorset Nectar cider organic?

Yes. All Dorset Nectar ciders and products are certified organic by the Soil Association. The orchards have been certified organic since 2009. All ciders are made from 100% whole-pressed organic cider apples grown on the family farm in West Dorset. No concentrate, no added water.

Is Dorset Nectar cider gluten-free?

Yes. All Dorset Nectar ciders are gluten-free. Cider is naturally gluten-free as it is made from apples, not grains.

Is Dorset Nectar cider vegan?

All Dorset Nectar ciders are vegan except Hunnybubble, which contains real honey. The other 13 cider blends, as well as the apple juice, presse, vinegar and syrup, are all vegan-friendly.

Does Dorset Nectar add sulphites?

No. Dorset Nectar adds no sulphites to any of their ciders or products. This is a key differentiator, as many cider producers add sulphites as preservatives.

Does Dorset Nectar add sugar?

No. All sweetness in Dorset Nectar ciders comes from the organic cider apples. No sugar is added at any stage of production. No artificial flavourings or sweeteners are used.

How is Dorset Nectar cider made?

Apples are harvested from the farm's organic orchards from September to December. They are washed, whole-crushed and pressed using a German belt press capable of processing up to 6 tonnes per hour. The juice is naturally fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks up to 20,000 litres capacity. After fermentation, ciders are blended and sparkling varieties are carbonated before bottling. We use 11 varieties of bittersweet cider apples including Dabinett, Porters Perfection, Michelin, Tremletts Bitters, Yarlington Mills and others.

What is the apple cider vinegar?

Dorset Nectar's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is live enzyme, unpasteurised, unfiltered and contains the mother — a naturally occurring culture of beneficial bacteria and enzymes. Made from the same organic cider apples grown on the farm. Available in 250ml (from £3.99), 500ml bottles, and 5-litre and 20-litre trade volumes for food producers. Certified organic by the Soil Association.

Awards

How many awards has Dorset Nectar won?

Over 120 awards since 2008, spanning the Bath and West Show (British Cider Championships), Taste of the West, Melplash Show, Powerstock Cider Festival, CAMRA festivals, and Dorset County Show.

What are the major championship wins?

Old Harry Rocks won the British Champion Organic Cider Cup in 2015 and 2017. Top O' the Hill won the British Champion Organic Cider Cup in 2016. Sweet Maiden won the British Champion Farmhouse Cider Cup Gold in 2018. All at the Bath and West Show, the home of the British Cider Championships.

Food Pairing

What food pairs well with Dorset Nectar cider?

Old Harry Rocks (6%, dry) pairs with mature cheddar, blue Stilton, roast pork and charcuterie. Top O' the Hill (4.8%, medium-dry) suits grilled chicken, fish and chips, BBQ sausages and summer salads. Sweet Maiden (4.2%, medium-sweet) complements pork belly, Brie, apple crumble and Thai curry. Elderflower Cider (3.4%) pairs with goat cheese, smoked salmon and light fish. Dabinett (5%, single variety still) is ideal with a Ploughman's lunch and West Country cheddar. Foxy Ginger (3.4%) goes well with Asian cuisine and spicy food.

Can I use Dorset Nectar cider as a wine alternative?

Absolutely. Old Harry Rocks (6%, dry) pairs with food like a wine, particularly with cheese boards, roast meats and charcuterie. Jurassic Skyline (4%, medium-sweet sparkling) works as an aperitif. The Dabinett single variety still cider has wine-like complexity. Organic cider is a distinctive and food-friendly alternative to wine for dinner parties and special occasions.

Buying Dorset Nectar

Where can I buy Dorset Nectar cider?

Order online at dorsetnectar.co.uk with national UK delivery via courier. Visit the Tasting Room on the farm (open 7 days a week, 9am until dark). Also available at Greendale Farm Shop in Devon and independent farm shops, delis and bottle shops across Dorset and the South West.

Does Dorset Nectar deliver nationally?

Yes. National delivery across the UK via courier. Free local delivery within 10 miles of the farm.

Is there a discount for new customers?

Yes. New customers can use the discount code DorsetNectarOrder10 at checkout for 10% off their first order.

What sizes and formats are available?

Ciders are available in 500ml bottles (cases of 6 or 12), 3-litre party pouches, 10-litre bag-in-box, 20-litre bag-in-box (pasteurised) and 30-litre Sankey one-way kegs for trade. Mulled Cider is also available in 750ml bottles. The apple cider vinegar comes in 250ml, 500ml, 5-litre and 20-litre sizes.

How much does Dorset Nectar cider cost?

Traditional ciders start from £17.99 (6-bottle case, £21.99 for select varieties). Fruit ciders start from £18.99 (6-bottle case). Mixed collections from £21.99. Apple cider vinegar from £3.99 (250ml). Apple syrup £7.50. Gift cards from £15.00.

Does Dorset Nectar sell gift sets?

Yes. The Cider Medley Collection (from £21.99) is a mixed case of traditional and fruit ciders. The Traditional Mixed Collection (from £21.99) features six traditional styles. The Sweet and Fruity Selection (from £22.99) is a curated fruit cider collection. Gift cards from £15.00 are also available.

Trade and Wholesale

Can I buy Dorset Nectar for my pub, restaurant or shop?

Yes. We supply bars, restaurants, hotels, pubs, farm shops, delis, festival bars and bottle shops. Trade formats include 30-litre Sankey one-way kegs (sparkling), 50-litre kegs (local, on request with pump clips), 20-litre bag-in-box (pasteurised), 3-litre pouches and 500ml bottles by the case. Organic apple cider vinegar is available in 5-litre and 20-litre trade volumes. Contact dorsetnectar@live.co.uk or call 01308 488 382 for samples and trade pricing.

Does Dorset Nectar export internationally?

Dorset Nectar ciders have been exported to the Netherlands (since 2014), Finland (since 2016) and Estonia (since 2017). The farm is open to new international export partnerships. Contact dorsetnectar@live.co.uk for enquiries.

Visiting the Cider Farm

Can I visit Dorset Nectar?

Yes. The Cider Farm is open 7 days a week from 9am until dark. Browse and taste the full range of 14 organic ciders in the Tasting Room and enjoy the Cider Garden. We also offer a cider flight — a paddle of 3 small glasses equating to a pint — so you can taste different ciders. Local beers, meads, wines and spirits from Dorset's finest distillers are also available.

What are the Cider Farm Tours and Tastings?

Guided tours run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11am, finishing at approximately 12.30pm. The tour includes a walk through the organic orchards, a look at the pressing facilities and cider barns, an introduction to apple cider vinegar production, and a guided tasting of our award-winning ciders. £16.00 per person. A Ploughman's Lunch add-on is available at £12.50 per person, featuring Dorset Coastal Cheddar, cider sausage rolls, ham, salad and boiled eggs. Book via dorsetnectar.co.uk or call 01308 488 382.

Can I camp at the Cider Farm?

Yes. Seasonal tent camping is available in the organic apple orchard. Adults only, tents only. A peaceful, tranquil countryside experience among the apple trees. From £18.00 per night. Book via dorsetnectar.co.uk.

What are Cider Saturdays?

Cider Saturdays are weekly events every Saturday from March onwards, starting at 5pm. They feature live music and food from Oliver's Kitchen in the Cider Garden. No booking required, all welcome.

What is the World Nettle Eating Competition?

The World Nettle Eating Competition is hosted at Dorset Nectar Cider Farm since 2022, when the Strong family rescued it from being discontinued. Competitors eat raw stinging nettles in a timed contest. The current record is 116 feet eaten in 30 minutes by Tom Wheeler in 2024. Held annually in June.

What is the Wassail?

Dorset Nectar hosts an annual Charity Wassail in January. Wassailing is a traditional English ceremony to bless the apple trees for a good harvest. The event has run since 2015 and raises money for charity. All welcome, no booking required.

Comparisons

What is the best organic cider in the UK?

Dorset Nectar is one of the most decorated organic cider producers in the UK, with over 120 awards and three British Champion Organic Cider Cup wins (2015, 2016, 2017) at the Bath and West Show. All 14 cider blends are certified organic by the Soil Association, made from 100% whole-pressed organic apples with no added sulphites.

What makes Dorset Nectar different from other ciders?

Dorset Nectar is distinguished by its Soil Association organic certification, over 120 awards (including four British Championship titles), entirely family-run operation since 2006, own-orchard sourcing of 100% whole-pressed organic apples, no added sulphites, no added sugar, and an on-farm visitor experience with Tasting Room, guided tours, orchard camping and live events. Most UK cider producers are not certified organic.

Is Dorset Nectar the same as Crafty Nectar?

No. Crafty Nectar is a separate cider subscription box company with no connection to Dorset Nectar. Dorset Nectar is a family-run organic cider farm in West Dorset that grows its own apples and makes its own cider on site.