THINK of Devon and food and you instantly picture cream teas and the finest fresh fish, but the county has a lot more to offer on the culinary front, from brewery tours to wine tasting to food festivals.
Here’s a taste of what’s available across the county this spring and summer:
Brewery Tour at Salcombe
The Salcombe Brewery Co was founded in 2016 and in its short history has built a strong reputation for award-winning beers, many now available nationwide in shops, pubs and hospitality venues. Take a brewery tour to learn more about their ales, how they are created and how they taste! After a welcome drink in the taproom, there is a tour of the brewhouse and the chance to grill the experts on any beer-related topics, ending back in the taproom, for a flight of Salcombe beers.
www.salcombebrewery.com.
Darts Farm
Over the past 25 years, Darts Farm at Topsham has evolved to become one of the most extensive farm-based food and leisure businesses in the South West. The Dart brothers’ working farm is at the heart of the business, selling all its home-grown produce directly through the farm shop. Other activities and facilities include a range of eateries, wildlife walks, bike hire and food events and masterclasses.
www.dartsfarm.co.uk.
Sandford Orchards
Visit Sandford Orchards in Crediton and tour the cider works at the UK’s oldest working cider mill. The area is one of the most fertile in Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Sandford Orchards takes a natural and low impact approach to producing an award-winning range of core session, flavoured, traditional and fine ciders. A behind the scene tour at the Cider Works is a chance to see how the cider is made, talk to the cider makers and enjoy a flight of ciders and freshly baked pizza.
www.sandfordorchards.co.uk.
Taste East Devon Festival
Following the success of the 2021 inaugural festival, Taste East Devon has announce that the 2022 food festival will run from 3rd-18th September. Award-winning venues, producers, chefs and restaurants across East Devon have joined forces again to celebrate the area’s great food and drink. Founder members include THE PIG-at Combe, Darts Farm, Otter Brewery, Deer Park Country House, River Cottage, East Devon AONB, Donkey Sanctuary, Mazzard Farm, Jack in the Green and Lympstone Manor.
www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk.
Sandridge Barton Vineyard
A new visitor centre will open at Sandridge Barton, the home of Sharpham Wine, in June, with a shop selling the full range of wines, Sharpham cheeses and other local produce, restaurant and self catering accommodation, on the east bank of the River Dart. Created within the traditional buildings of historic Lower Well Farm, the visitor centre also offers activities including tastings, walking trails through the estate and vineyards, plus wines by the glass in the gallery bar or lunch in the courtyard.
www.sandridgebarton.com
Quicke’s Cheese
A cheese tour at Quicke’s, near Crediton, offers a unique behind the scenes insight into the craft of producing world-class cheese from pastures that have been in the family for 15 generations, spanning 450 years. The tour covers the history of the Quicke family, watching cheesemakers craft each truckle by hand and learning about the traditional skill of grading cheese. There is also a guided tour of the farm followed by a seasonal two course lunch featuring Quicke’s Cheese at The Beer Engine.
www.quickes.co.uk.
Owens Coffee
Owens Coffee at Ivybridge has been built with a focus on sustainable construction and energy. Its complete range of certified organic Fairtrade coffee is available in whole bean or ground format and can be bought directly from the roastery shop. They host coffee masterclasses and coffee tasting and brewing experiences.
www.owenscoffee.com.
South West Wine School
Founded by Jonathan and Hayley Reynolds to provide first rate wine education across the region, the South West Wine School brings together the best wine educators in the region. Join them for a Wine and Spirit Education Trust training course at Darts Farm or a wine tasting event.
www.southwestwineschool.co.uk.