A new cider produced at Llanblethian Orchards in Cowbridge is set to be released in the next few weeks. 

Hiraeth will join other ciders and perrys made at the orchards in local pubs, markets and events in South Wales, including the upcoming Green Man Festival in August.  

Alex Simmens, 43, the owner of Llanblethian Orchards, is from Cowbridge and currently lives in Cardiff. He has invested a significant amount in Hiraeth's production and the development process has been a passion project from start to finish. "It's predominately a variety called Stoke Red and it's my favourite variety," he says. 

"Last year, I put the whole year's production into creating this. It's a bit of a risk but I'm so pleased with how it all turned out." 

Hiraeth will be sold at markets, local pubs and events across South Wales. (Image credit: Alex Simmens)

The apples were pressed at the end of October 2021 and finished fermenting in May 2022, which Mr Simmens says is typical for Stoke Red to undergo a slow, gentle fermentation because of a lack of nitrogen in the fruit. "If the yeast is fermenting slowly over a long period of time, it has more chance of gathering all the interesting nuance, the chemicals and flavours," he says. 

"It's a similar way of making champagne; it takes more time for it to become interesting and characterful."  

We all recognise the word Hiraeth as a nostalgic feeling and a longing for something, the perfect choice of name for Mr Simmens and one of the first thoughts that came to his mind after tasting. "When I was drinking it [Hiraeth], it really reminded me of the man who taught me how to make cider," says Mr Simmens.  

"He founded the Welsh Perry & Cider Society and they used to run a festival which inspired me to start making cider. It reminded me of his ciders and he was known for his single variety ciders with slow ferments. The taste gave me some quite wistful memories, so that's why I decided to call it Hiraeth." 

Llanblethian Orchards is made up of approximately nine acres and has been in Mr Simmens' family for approximately 35 years. But his interest in cider-making first started when he was a student at Cardiff University.  

The apples were pressed at the end of October 2021 and finished fermenting in May 2022. (Image credit: Alex Simmens)

He quickly joined the Cardiff Student Real Ale Society after beginning his studies. "We used to run a festival to raise money for charity and I used to manage the cider bar there," he says. 

"From there, I started visiting all the old cider farms and my interest built up from there. I then got involved with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and used to help out at its beer festival in Cardiff." 

A few years on, Mr Simmens maintained his interest in cider-making, but redundancy from his job as a software engineer during the last recession in 2008 was when he started to view his hobby as a new career path. "That's when I decided to try and do it [produce cider] full-time," he says. 

"I was feeling burned-out and sitting in an office isn't really my thing – I much prefer to be outside. So, when the opportunity came up, I thought I should just try and make a go of it." 

Alex has been producing cider for almost 15 years. (Image credit: Alex Simmens)

Almost 15 years on, Llanblethian Orchards boasts approximately 50 apple varieties and 16 different perry pears. Mr Simmens also has plans to produce a French-style keeve cider which he hopes will be ready by August. "It's a lower alcohol cider and naturally sweet," he says.  

"It's got quite a rounded, interesting and rich flavour without the sharpness of British cider. So, that's the next thing." 

Mr Simmens is at the Cowbridge Farmers' Market every fortnight and you will find a variety of his ciders and perrys at local pubs such as Hare & Hounds in Aberthin and City Arms in Cardiff.   

Learn more about Llanblethian Orchards here.