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Sit back, relax and enjoy a refreshing glass of the West Country’s much loved tipple, scrumptious Devon cider.  Next time you’re picking up a bottle, why not try one of The Shops at Dartington’s fabulous two new varieties?  Launching at The Shops at Dartington Food Fair on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June, Dartington Organic Vintage Cider and Dartington Organic Cider Devon Blush are two immensely drinkable ciders, certain to quench any thirst.

Produced using only apples from local orchards within a five mile radius of the Dartington Estate, these delightful ciders are sure to be very popular.  Fruity, lightly carbonated and medium dry in taste, Dartington Organic Vintage is produced using nothing but pure apple juice from more than 15 wonderful bittersweet and bitter sharp varieties.  Lovingly pressed using traditional methods, a rich well balanced juice is produced which is then slowly fermented.  The result is a charming fruit aromatic cider with a fantastic depth of flavour.  A contemporary twist on the Organic Vintage Cider, Organic Cider Devon Blush pairs blackberries with apple to produce a match made in heaven and truly unique taste.

The ciders are available to purchase from the newly opened ‘The Food Shop’ at The Shops at Dartington for a very reasonable £2.99 each (50cl) or two for £5.50.  To celebrate the highly anticipated launch The Shops at Dartington will also be offering a free Dartington cider glass worth £4.99 with purchases of four bottles of cider or more.  The ciders will also be available in the White Hart bar and at Dartington Hall, both on the Dartington Estate.

At the hugely popular food fair there’ll be over 50 of the region’s best food and drink producers showcasing their products.  On the drinks side Southwestern Distillery, Devon Distillery, Hunter’s Brewery, Bays Brewery, Ashridge Cider, Luscombe Organic Drinks and Hunt’s Cider will all be present as well as many others.  Southwestern Distillery will be exhibiting Tarquin’s Gin, an artisan gin lovingly crafted in small batches the old-fashioned way, whilst Devon Distillery will be introducing their new grappa, DAPPA – the first spirit of its kind to be made in the UK.

In addition to the fantastic selection of food and drink producers, local food celebrities and chefs, as well as a few from further afield including James Strawbridge, Glenn Cosby, Jane Baxter, Michael Sanders and many more, will all be lining up to take centre stage at the fair.

TV presenter and chef James Strawbridge, of ITV1’s The Hungry Sailors will be judging the fair’s tasty new ‘Bake a Pasty Competition’ on the Sunday and competing in the hotly contested ‘Hot Smoking’ challenge.  Joining James in the entertaining contest will be award-winning cookery book writer and the lady behind Baxters Movable Feasts, Jane Baxter and co-owner of Manna from Devon Cooking School in Kingswear, David Jones.

Great British Bake Off 2013 quarter finalist, Glenn Cosby, will be judging the hugely popular annual ‘Cake Competition’ on the Saturday and MasterChef 2014 semi-finalist, Michael Sanders will be enthusing crowds with his innovative demonstrations on both days.  TV chef, Mal Harradine will also be setting up his pop-up kitchen with the latest kitchen gadgets and cookware outside The Shops at Dartington’s very own Kitchen Shop.

A brilliant day out for all the family, there’s sure to be something for everyone over the two days with hands-on children’s activities, live music and bookable sessions including foraging on Dartington Estate and chocolate making with local chocolatier Janet Lewis.

Whilst at The Shops at Dartington Food Fair make sure you pop into the newly opened ‘The Food Shop’.  Packed full of homemade cakes, artisan fresh breads, premium locally sourced meats, regional ales, ciders and wines, tasty cheeses and tempting treats, the shop showcases the very best of produce from both the local region as well as the wider West Country.  There’s also Dartington’s unique selection of shops to explore.  Browse the exquisite craft and pottery collections, stylish women’s and men’s fashion, homeware and unusual gifts and furnishings and the two on-site cafés, The Venus Company and Cranks, serving delicious, handmade dishes.

The Shops at Dartington Food Fair is proudly sponsored by Inspirations at RGC, Stones Solicitors LLP, Dartington Hall and Eat Up! and held in association with Taste of the West.

The Shops at Dartington are owned by the Dartington Hall Trust, an independent charitable organisation, trading ethically and sustainably as a social enterprise in order to help support the Trust’s activities in Social Justice, Sustainability and the Arts.

For further information about Dartington Food Fair please visit www.dartingtonfoodfair.org.