Stonewell Cider

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.[2] 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.[9] Stonewell distributes to many countries within Europe, as well as to Canada[9] and Australia.[2]

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.[4] In their first year, Stonewell produced 6,000 litres of cider.[9] By 2011, Emerson had tripled production, and tripled it again in 2012.[8] 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.[7] In 2016, Stonewell secured a five-year distribution contract in France through Carlsberg.[4] 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.[3][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.[14] The company employs five staff members full-time. [15]

Awards

Stonewell has won over 20 awards since its foundation.[15], including Supreme Champion of the 2016 Blas na hÉireann awards.[16]

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