AusCider 2023 held 3 - 5 May 2023

AusCider along with event partner Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and presenting sponsors Fermentis and Pomewest and others hosted the 2023 AusCider Conference 2023 held in the Perth Hills Wednesday 3 - 5 May.

The conference was designed to connect Australian cider producers, fruit growers, researchers and industry representatives from Australian and overseas.  The beautiful Perth Hills were selected to view what was happening in the local craft cider scene.

Although small, WA cider producers punch above their weight when it comes to making high quality craft cider. Having won three of the eight trophies presented at last year's Australian Cider awards!

Warwick Billings, President of Cider Australia, said the conference delivered a unique program of technical, sensory, science, production and business-related cider education. “This year’s conference theme was The Business of Cider,” Billings said. “Keynote speaker Ryan Burk from the United States joined various Australian and international experts to discuss the how’s and whys of running successful craft cider businesses. “We are excited that we were able to hold the event Western Australia for the very first time. This enables us to stronger linkages with the Western Australian cider community and showcase the innovations and developments happening in Western Australia and beyond.”

The program started with welcome drinks on the Wednesday evening, preluding a full day of presentations on Thursday , finishing with a beautiful dinner at Core Cider in Pickering Brook. On Friday orchard walks commenced with a visit with Andrew Carruthers at Carmel Cider, then to Michael Della Pollina's Orchard and finishing at the Guilarducci Orchards both in Pickering Brook.  Then off to an amazing luncheon at Seven Sins and on to the finish at Funk Cider in the Swan Valley.

Pomewest's interest in sponsoring this event was to support and actively be involved in the beverage side of the industry finding solutions for market options and value adding.  We also took the opportunity to spread the message of the importance of biosecurity, being a shared responsibility amongst both the growing and general community.

A great conference - well done to organisers Warwick Billings and Jane Anderson of AusCider!