We love celebrating all things local and this week we wanted to throw a spotlight on one of Welcome stores’ suppliers, The Purbeck Cider Company – and thank you to them for providing us with their great story!

Nestled on the Jurassic coastline, The Purbeck Cider Company was born in 2006 after its founder, Joe Hartle, returned from travelling in New Zealand to decide that Dorset finally deserved to have its own cider and apple juice produced from some of its long-forgotten traditional trees.

We pride ourselves on producing the highest quality ciders, perry and juice with no artificial flavours, additives or concentrates. Our ciders are made with 100% single pressed apples with many coming from our own orchards.

We have now planted over 40 acres of cider apple and perry orchards and included some historic Dorset varieties in an effort to conserve and restore love for these lost varieties. Just this year we have planted another 350 bush perry trees and continue to maintain and manage our orchards to ensure the trees are healthy and fruitful.

The past few years have been challenging with Covid-19 closing our pubs and the cost-of-living crisis forcing people to review their spending, however we have braved the storm and been humbled by the support and loyalty our customers have shown us.

Ever the driver of innovation and forging ahead, Joe decided it was time to open the farm gate and to share our beautiful orchards. At the Dorset Cider Farm, the home of Purbeck Cider, we have a new shop and tap we invite you to try the ciders and juices, sit in the orchard with our sheep or walk our main orchard with views across to Corfe Castle. This diversification has been a real success and allows us to share our story directly with our customers.

Each time I visit our local Welcome store it’s a very proud moment to see our products on the shelves. As such a well-respected retailer with an ethos that values locally produced products it’s a pleasure to be part of the story.

Love it or hate it- Our Mint Cider has the crowds divided. A really refreshing lightly sparkling cider with the most subtle hint of mint in the finish. As the weather warms it makes for an excellent summer tipple to share with friends whilst barbequing.

Three words to convince you to try our ciders- natural, ethical, refined!

Head to the website to find out more about the Purbeck Cider Company and browse the full range!