Their story
99PINES is a community interest company making craft perry in the May Hill area of Gloucestershire, run by a team of volunteers. It began at Kents Green, at the foot of May Hill, and in autumn 2024 moved to Hartpury Orchard Centre, home of the National Perry Pear Centre, where it is now resident perrymaker. Fruit is gathered from heritage orchards and gardens on and around May Hill, and from the National Perry Pear collections at Hartpury and the Malvern Three Counties Showground, some trees more than a century old. The venture is known for single-variety and disclosed-blend perries made from rare heritage pears rather than blended, unlabelled juice. Production is small, around 2,000 to 3,500 litres a year, and proceeds support heritage and mental health charities, with nearly £9,000 raised since 2023.
No orchard of its own; fruit comes from heritage orchards and gardens on and around May Hill, plus the National Perry Pear collections at Hartpury Orchard Centre and Malvern's Three Counties Showground.
Apples and pears they nameMoorcroft, Thorn, Gin, Blakeney Red, Oldfield, Taynton Squash, Cowslip
What they make
- Moorcroft Perry single-variety, heritage perry pear
- Seasonal single-variety and blend bottlings disclosed varieties, champagne bottles and 330ml micros
Visiting
Tastings: Yes. Visiting is via open days and tasting events at the Hartpury Orchard Centre taproom, mostly in spring and summer, and by volunteering for the autumn harvest and pressing.
Where to buy
- At the farm or cidery When open
- The Cat in the Glass (online) Stockist
- Jolters Press, Mitcheldean Stockist
Sold through named stockists and at the Hartpury Orchard Centre taproom. There is no 99PINES online shop.
Their events
Runs tasting events at the Hartpury Orchard Centre taproom through the year, and invites volunteers to join the pear and apple harvest and pressing each autumn (late September to early November).