Get your Pomme on at the second annual Australian Cider Festival at the Napoleone Orchard Bar
“It’s really an excuse for us to celebrate cider, the industry, our team, right before we kick off harvest season in earnest” said Cameron Gordon, “We’re excited to open our doors for a festival a second time. Last year was a great start, but this year we think we’re ready to party”.
From 10am until last light on Saturday 12 March (peak apple season) the team will be celebrating with food trucks, live music and specialty cider.
Mr Gordon explained how this year they’ve also called on local transport company Boutique Vans to help keep the event accessible. Boutique Vans have limited tickets for two shuttle services, bringing guests from the city and Lilydale Station over the course of the day.
At last year’s festival, the surprise hit was apple pies from Johnny Ripe of Mornington Peninsula. This year the Johnny Ripe crew will be on site, bringing their vintage van, pie warmer and a mountain of vanilla ice-cream!
Yarra Valley locals Little Yarra Crêperie will be making crêpes to order and Melbourne burger scene stalwarts Beatbox Kitchen will be flipping burgers all afternoon.
Roving musicians the Preston City Jug Band will be performing (think big brass, Dixieland vibes) and Vince Peach from Soul Time fame will be spinning tunes of funk, Motown and Northern.
Peach has been on the air since 1984. “I make people dance… and that’s the sole aim.”
Napoleone’s cider team has crafted a limited release apple cider for the festival – Pomme Rouge, made from estate grown apples, crushed and steeped on shiraz skins, it sings with gin botanicals – an aperitivo style cider made for heady summer days.
A door prize is on offer for attendees too. The crew will host the winner and up to 10 people for an exclusive party at the Orchard Bar. Valued at $500.
Napoleone Cider is situated at 10 St Hubert’s Road, Coldstream, 9739 0666, Napoleone.com.au
