Cider is becoming the new lager, says the drinks industry, and one of Wellington’s best known family businesses is enjoying the boom in sales. Sheppy’s has just brought a new hi-tech press house into commission for the new apple season.
“Three Bridges Farm has been the home of Sheppy’s Cider since 1917, and our familiar brick farm buildings next to the A38 have served us well for almost a century,” said Louisa Sheppy. However, steady growth in cider sales over the last 10 – 15 years put the pressing system and storage facilities under increasing strain.
“In 2011, we decided that moving out of our old farm buildings was the only way to allow the business to develop over the next 20 years. Removing half of one of our small standard orchards has allowed us the space to design and develop a purpose-built presshouse incorporating a new Austrian Voran double-belt press and tank storage,” Louisa added.
Expansion at Sheppy’s is continuing with the construction of purpose-built warehousing. The new building will be completed in the New Year 
and include the relocated bottling and kegging lines.
“Our new facilities will improve working conditions and efficiency for all the staff and enable us to work to higher production standards; all of which will help the family business to continue long into the future,” said Louisa.