Between 2007 – 2010 Liz Copas and Nick Poole set up the Dorset Apple Tree Analysis Project (DATA) in an effort to create a true Dorset cider from true Dorset cider varieties.
They spent several years searched the remnants of traditional orchards across the county of Dorset to save any valuable old varieties hitherto unknown or lost.
Through their great work there are now a number of these varieties that were propagated and planted out as mother orchards.
We are lucky enough to know Liz, who this winter has helped us gather material of some of the best varieties to produce trees for sale at Adam's Apples nursery.
It is really important to maintain regional distinctiveness and to preserve those varieties that have proved to grow well in their region. It is also a lot of fun to visit the orchards and hang out with Liz, a world authority on cider apples!
If you want a true Dorset cider, perhaps you need true Dorset cider apples?! We will start to have some trees available this winter, 2020/21 and will be propagating more this summer, available for sale winter 2021/22.
Some of the noteworthy Dorset varieties that have been recorded through the project and that we are now propagating for sale:
Golden Ball
Symes Seedling
Reinnette Dobry
Frome River
Golly Nap
Marlpits
Buttery d’Or
Winter Stubbard
Cap of Liberty
Warrior
Tom Legg
Cattistock Red
Matravers
You can read a detailed article about the DATA project written by Liz Copas at:
http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2011/04/dorset-sweet-and-sour/
