019: Neil MacDonald | Orchard Park Farms, UK - a podcast by Ria Windcaller: Award winning Cidermaker | Craft Libations Columnist | Podc

Neil MacDonald is a self described "man of the soil". He co-launched Orchard Pig Cider in 2004 in the Somerset region of England.

His specialty is apple growing and the primary process of the cidermaking at Orchard Pig Cider.

I spoke with Neil while at CiderCon (United States Association of Cider Makers annual congress) in Portland Oregon in 2016.

Neil was granted a scholarship from the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust which has helped him hone in on his apple growing passion and helped him travel around the world.

Neil uses what is a called a "Bush Orchard" in the UK, which works well with the mechanics of harvesting within high density orchards for a maximum harvest.
He is sharing what he thinks US cidermakers and orchardist may be very interested in doing in the states.

Neil chats about UK cider traditions and there is a bonus chat on the specs for a paid internship at Neil's farm.

Follow Cider Chat on twitter @ciderchat

Further episodes of Cider Chat

Further podcasts by Ria Windcaller: Award winning Cidermaker | Craft Libations Columnist | Podc

Website of Ria Windcaller: Award winning Cidermaker | Craft Libations Columnist | Podc