Stonewell Cider Explained

Nohoval Drinks Company Ltd., trading as Stonewell Cider, is a craft brewery founded in either 2009[1] or 2010[2] [3] in Nohoval, Ireland by husband and wife Daniel and Géraldine Emerson. Stonewell also trades internationally as Finbarra Cider.[4] Daniel Emerson is the chief cider maker.[5] In Ireland, Stonewell is distributed by Classic Drinks.[6] Though their share of the Irish cider market is small (0.5%),[7] Ireland is the biggest cider-consuming nation per capita,[8] [9] and Stonewell is the largest artisan drinks maker in the country. Stonewell distributes to many countries within Europe, as well as to Canada and Australia.

History

Inspired by Géraldine's father, a wine-maker from the Orleanais province in France, the couple decided to pursue full time traditional cider-making in 2010. In their first year, Stonewell produced 6,000 litres of cider. By 2011, Emerson had tripled production, and tripled it again in 2012. In 2012, Daniel Emerson announced a deal to distribute in Italy via Qualitá Club.[10]

In 2015, Stonewell pressed over 750 tonnes of apples,[11] resulting in the production of 350,000 litres of cider. In 2016, Stonewell secured a five-year distribution contract in France through Carlsberg. The total volume ordered equates in the deal's first three years to Stonewell's entire 2015 production.[12] [13]

For many years, Stonewell experienced triple-digit growth.[14] However, in 2020, due to lockdowns caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, Stonewell sales dropped by 80%, and as a result, half of its staff were made redundant. The company employs five staff members full-time. [15]

Awards

Stonewell has won over 20 awards since its foundation., including Supreme Champion of the 2016 Blas na hÉireann awards.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Wilson. John. 'I realised that a hobby could become a passion and a means of subsistence'. 2020-10-26. The Irish Times. en.
  2. Web site: STONEWELL CIDER. 2020-10-26. Irish food & drink by Bord Bia. en.
  3. Web site: Daniel Emerson of Stonewell Cider. 2020-10-26. www.gs1ie.org. en.
  4. News: Brennan. Joe. Cork cider group secures five-year supply contract for France. 2020-10-30. The Irish Times. en.
  5. Web site: Cheering on Ireland with Stonewell Cider. 2020-10-30. www.goodfoodireland.ie. en.
  6. Web site: Whither Cider? – Drinks Industry Ireland. 2020-10-30. www.drinksindustryireland.ie.
  7. Web site: 2015-08-05. Crafting a niche with cider. 2020-10-30. Irish Examiner. en.
  8. Web site: 2013-08-19. Cider-maker presses ahead with plans for expansion. 2020-10-30. Irish Examiner. en.
  9. Web site: Award-winning Irish artisan product shows plenty of bottle. 2020-10-30. independent. en.
  10. Web site: Kinsale's Stonewell Cider to export to Italy – Drinks Industry Ireland. 2020-10-30. www.drinksindustryireland.ie.
  11. Web site: 2016's cider market – Drinks Industry Ireland. 2020-10-30. www.drinksindustryireland.ie.
  12. Web site: Cork cider company strikes French deal – Drinks Industry Ireland. 2020-10-30. www.drinksindustryireland.ie.
  13. Web site: Ireland. Hospitality. Stonewell Cider Signs 5-Year Deal With Carlsberg. 2020-10-30. Hospitality Ireland. en.
  14. Web site: Coronavirus in Ireland: Craft beer and cider producers hit as Covid lockdown wipes out restaurant sales. 2020-10-30. independent. en.
  15. Web site: 2021-01-22. 10 innovative Cork business players to watch in 2021. 2021-02-20. Think Business.
  16. Web site: Blas na hÉireann 2016 Winners.