Small Acres Cyder has marked its eighteenth year in style, taking home three Gold medals at the prestigious Japan Cider Cup 2025. In total, the Orange-based producer claimed five medals across the competition, which featured 106 entries from 11 countries.
Established in 2002, the Japan Cider Cup is Japan’s leading international cider competition. Open to both domestic and international entries, the Cup is judged over several rounds by cider consumers in Japan, food and drink professionals, and renowned cider experts from around the world.
This inclusive methodology ensures that the awarded ciders resonate with both everyday consumers and industry judges, reflecting a comprehensive appreciation of quality and craftsmanship in the cider industry.
“We are delighted to receive this recognition,” said owner and cidermaker Nick Geoghegan. “As we prepare to celebrate Small Acres Cyder’s eighteenth birthday (and the fifth year under our family’s stewardship) this is a wonderful start to the 2025 awards season.”
Geoghegan attributes the success to the cidery’s unwavering focus on traditional methods and quality fruit. “In recent years, the broader cider market has followed trends seen in craft beer, experimenting with exotic flavours and combinations. While that can be fun, it can also be a distraction. We’ve stayed true to our roots: full-juice ciders made from outstanding local apples and pears. That focus continues to bear fruit.
“We believe that ongoing innovation within the cidery, and our commitment to orchard quality, will keep lifting our ciders to new heights.”
This year’s results continue a strong run for the boutique producer, with 100 percent of the ciders it entered receiving medals in 2024.
The Small Acres Cyder cellar door and cidery is located in Nashdale, just outside Orange, NSW. The region has a rich apple-growing history, dating back to 1875. By 1945, over 1,600 hectares of orchards had been planted in the area. While the region now supports a range of agricultural ventures, local growers continue to champion Orange as Australia’s finest apple-growing district.
Awards:
• Gold Medal, Modern Dry: Small Acres Cyder Heritage Blend
• Gold Medal, Modern Sweet: Small Acres Cyder Pink Lady
• Gold Medal, Spirits: Small Acres Cyder Pommeau 2021
• Silver Medal, Modern Sweet: Small Acres Cyder Femme Fatale 2023
• Bronze Medal, Modern Perry: Small Acres Cyder Sparkling Perry 2022
Distribution: The Small Acres Cyder range is available at their cellar door, online at smallacrescyder.com.au and in selected bottle shops across the Central West and Sydney.
For further information and images please contact:
David Cumming at Define Wine Marketing & Communications: 0414 736 342 or david@definewine.com.au
Nick Geoghegan at Small Acres Cyder: 0418 153 785 or info@smallacrescyder.com.au
Small Acres Cyder was established in Orange in 2007 with the vision to produce a range of ciders made with locally grown cider apples, utilising traditional and authentic production methods. Drawing on their experience in the UK, the founders were frustrated at the lack of premium ciders in Australia and so Small Acres Cyder was born. In 2021 Nick and Jannene Geoghegan took over the business and have continued the focus producing premium ciders and perrys from their orchard on the slopes of Mount Canobolas.