The 2025 apple growing season will be remembered as one of the most unusual - and most rewarding - seasons we’ve seen in years. From an exceptionally early blossom to intense late-summer heat, the orchards were pushed to their limits, yet ultimately produced some of the best fruit we’ve ever harvested for cider making.
An Early Start and a Record Blossom
This year began ahead of schedule. A burst of early-season warmth triggered one of the heaviest and most vibrant blossoms we’ve ever witnessed in County Armagh. Early blossom always carries risk, especially frost damage, but fortune was on our side. The temperatures held, and the crop was spared.
Our 30 hives of bees rose to the occasion, pollinating the orchards with incredible efficiency. The result was a phenomenal fruit set - a clear sign that the trees were gearing up for one of their strongest years in recent memory.
Heatwaves and Orchard Stress
Despite the promising start, the season delivered two intense periods of extremely hot weather. Heat stress slows growth, pushes trees to search deeper for nutrients, and can weaken fruit development if not carefully managed.
To support the orchards, we increased feeding during these periods, ensuring the trees had everything they needed to continue building fruit quality and size. By August, the results were clear: we were looking at one of the heaviest crops seen in Armagh for many years.
A Fast-Ripening Crop With Surprises
The late-summer warmth also caused the apples to ripen much more quickly than usual. For cider makers, this was a gift - higher sugars mean richer, more flavourful juice and ultimately better cider.
But rapid ripening comes with challenges. Apples began dropping to the ground earlier and faster than normal, sometimes before we had the chance to pick them. Even so, our team moved quickly, harvesting and pressing apples within 24 hours to capture peak freshness.
From Orchard to Fermenter
Every apple was pressed into some of the freshest, fruitiest juice we’ve ever produced. Fermentation kicked off in October and has now completed, leaving our ciders resting in tank to mature over the winter months.
Next comes bottling, kegging, and canning - and then the best part: sharing the results of this remarkable season with you.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 growing season challenged us, surprised us, and ultimately rewarded us. From record blossom to rapid ripening, it showed once again just how dynamic apple growing can be - and how much great cider depends on adapting to nature’s rhythm.
We look forward to presenting our 2025 ciders to you very soon!
