Once Upon A Tree were awarded the “Vigo Trophy” for Best Apple Juice at the Bath & West Show last week.

The awards ceremony took place last Thursday 2^nd June, attended by Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex in front of the general public, press and members of the cider and apple juice industry.

Simon Day, who makes the award winning juice at Dragon Orchard in Putley, Ledbury, was present to receive the trophy presented by Lord Julian Fellowes who was also one of the judges.

The competition is considered the biggest in the country, and over 400 entries were judged.  The Once Upon A Tree Discovery Juice was judged the “Best Single Variety Juice”, and then went on to win “Best in Show.”

The award winning juice was made from Discovery apples picked at the peak of ripeness in September last year, and displays a beautiful hint of pink from the glossy red skins of the apples.  The juice is described as a having a delicious hint of strawberry, medium sweet with a refreshing finish.

The Discovery is one of nine different juices we make here at Dragon Orchard," explains Simon Day “and this trophy proves the exceptional quality of apples we have here in the orchards of Herefordshire.  It’s my job to look after the flavours as the juice is pressed and bottled, but there is no further intervention – it’s a very natural flavour, and a very natural product!”

The juice is available to taste and buy directly from the Once Upon A Tree Shop at Dragon Orchard, or via mail order through www.onceuponatree.co.uk, or through a number of stockists (details available on the web site).

This award follows previous success for their ciders only last month at the International Cider Competition, and national exposure with an on air tasting on BBC Radio 2 with Nigel Barden on the Simon Mayo Drivetime show last week.