The cider factorie. Photo/George Novak
Annemarie Quill escapes the city to try a new drink trend and some delicious food
Move over craft beer, hello cider. Seems like Eve was on to something. When it comes to a growing drink trend in New Zealand, it is cider that is taking the country by storm.
"It's probably about two years behind the rage for craft beer but there is a growing demand for locally brewed ranges, and people are taking it as seriously as wine tasting," says Simon Pearce, who owns the Cider Factorie in Te Puna along with wife and business partner Rowena.
In fact, the couple honed their cider making skills in the wine industry, in different regions such as the Hawke's Bay, Margaret River and Yarra Valley.
"As in the wine and beer industries the trend has gone towards allowing people to enjoy artisan products directly where they are grown and brewed, so it is with cider."
Nestled in the rural green belt up Oikimoke Rd, the factory has been making its own ranges for a few years but only recently has opened a restaurant.
"We wanted people to enjoy the whole experience of cider tasting. Providing food as well means that people can come for a leisurely lunch or afternoon, sampling different ciders, matched with food."
When you turn the corner to get a glimpse of the cider making shed, you get a sense of how things used to be done. The outdoor courtyard has an array of large bench-like tables, all with a yawning view to the harbour and rolling paddocks.
The factorie makes cider the old-fashioned way, crushing fresh apples and fermenting. The couple have a large number of apple varieties in their orchard.
The cider menu is divided into artisan, core range, reserve range, and speciality ciders. They are helpfully described with a dry to sweet score of 1 to 5.
The artisan is traditional apple cider similar to that found in the West County of England; the core range includes fruity ciders perfect for summer drinking such as feijoa apple cider or 'the hop' with passionfruit, nectarine and lychee, or a juicy pear cider.
The reserve range is effectively champagne cider, the Resident Hawk blend, a cider made using the same methode traditionelle behind many of the world's top sparkling wines.
Finally, the speciality ciders include the Factorie's signature iced cider where apples are transformed into a sophisticated dessert wine and fermented by a cyro-concentration method involving freezing them to minus 20 degrees. Recommended with desserts and cheese.
The ciders can be enjoyed on tap, by the glass, bottle, and tasters can be organised for tables of the different varieties.
The menu
The food menu is designed with the idea that people come to enjoy a few dishes tapas-style along with cider tasting, or dishes that can be shared with a group.
Children are catered for with a kids' menu, and there are non-alcoholic drinks for them and the non-drinkers. There are also beers, wines and champagne if you are not having cider.
For groups, or for those who can't decide, there are large platters of antipasto or meat which combine several of the dishes. There are plenty of vegetarian options.
I was coveting my favourite dish in the world, smashed avo salsa or guacamole, but sadly when we got there late afternoon they had run out of avocados, proving the popularity of the dish.
Instead I ordered grilled haloumi with tabouleh and black olives, as well as a roasted pumpkin, chickpea and spinach salad. The haloumi was perfectly cooked - rich, salty and creamy and a great accompaniment to my glass of Resident Hawk bubbles. The salad was a generous portion with a cumin spiced dressing offsetting the crumbly feta.
The kids shared popcorn chicken and aioli fries. My partner had proscuitto and the factorie burger, a superbly meaty slab of burger piled high with bacon and cheese.
The dishes are very good value, with most dishes under $15, and the platters just $40-$45.
The waiting staff are happy to suggest dishes with flavours to compliment your cider choices.
Verdict
A lovely escape from the city where you can wile away the hours sampling cider that has been lovingly made with passion, and enjoy some delicious food to match. With the glorious setting on sunny days you are not going to want to leave.
