Their story
Once Upon A Tree began in 2007 in outbuildings at Dragon Orchard, Putley, near Ledbury, founded by a small group of speciality food and drink enthusiasts including Simon Day, who brought winemaking principles to the cider. Dragon Orchard itself dates back to the 1880s, when the family's ancestor managed new orchard planting for the local squire. The brand has since become part of Haygrove Evolution, the Ledbury drinks business that also makes 'Sixteen Ridges' wine, and its old onceuponatree.co.uk domain now redirects to Haygrove Evolution's shop. Its cider is made from Herefordshire cider apples and sold in still, flavoured and iced styles, including the freeze-concentrated 'Blenheim' and 'Wonder' iced ciders. The brand has previously been named BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards Drinks Producer of the Year, though not in the last three years.
Originated at Dragon Orchard, Putley, first planted from the 1880s; the brand does not publish current orchard size or tree ages, and cider apples are now sourced through Haygrove Evolution's Herefordshire growers.
What they make
- Medium Cider crisp, medium, golden
- Raspberry & Blackcurrant fruit cider, sweeter
- Apple and Elderflower flavoured, refreshing
- Blenheim iced cider, dessert style, freeze-concentrated
- Wonder iced cider, dessert style, freeze-concentrated
Visiting
Once Upon A Tree is now a brand of Haygrove Evolution, and visits are by appointment only at its site at Redbank, Little Marcle Road, Ledbury.
Where to buy
- Online, direct from the maker haygrove-evolution.com
Sold as one of Haygrove Evolution's own-brand drinks lines rather than direct from an orchard shop.