A SOLICITOR has turned his passion apples into a cottage industry to create his very only Tees Cider.

Redcar-based solicitor Julian Gaskin believes that it’s a geological line running Northeast-Southwest between the mouth of the Tees in Redcar down to the River Exe in Devon – that provides the quality apples for his tipple.

The lawyer, who only sells his product at Saltburn Farmers’ Market and Saltburn Food Festival, started producing his own product in 2014.

He said: “Saltburn is a fantastic market and literally just a couple of miles up the road for us. I obviously work full-time as a lawyer, so selling our cider exclusively at Saltburn fits perfectly with our work-life balance.

“It also means we can brew in relatively small quantities and keep the quality high, with our cider maturing for at least six months before being bottled for the Market.

“It’s a real labour of love, and means we can make a cider that is truly local and unique for people to enjoy.

“We use apples from Apple Orchard in Skelton, brew the cider in Redcar, and sell at Saltburn. It doesn’t really get any more local than that.

“Our dry cider has an almost Prosecco dryness. It’s fantastic chilled with tapas, or making cocktails with sloe gin.

“We also do Spiced and Ginger ciders, both of which are great chilled with Indian and Indonesian food, and our sweet cider is perfect with Roast Pork.”

He is now perfecting his latest batch of Tees Cider for Saltburn Food Festival on Sunday, July 30.

“The Festival is an absolute must for local food-lovers. If you’re interested in good local food it’s got absolutely everything you need. It’s just an amazing day, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”

  • The free event takes place between 10am-6pm.