Pride of Guernsey: Rocquette Cider
ROCQUETTE CIDER has been nominated for the Sustainability Hero of the Year award, which is sponsored by Aon.
Its nominator, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that staff deserved the award because of ‘the total dedication to growing organically’.
‘They recycle the apple pulp and wood clippings from the apple pruning which go into the compost to make compost tea which is then sprayed around the 5,000 tree roots.
‘It’s using everything that’s there.
‘They have interesting tours of the farm with information about the growing and cider-making, plus they created an area where they get to taste the different ciders along with local cheeses.
‘It’s a bit like Tuscany or Provence. [Rocquette Cider founder] James Meller promotes Guernsey really well.
‘This attracts hundreds of visitors from all over the world, which is a wonderful way to promote Guernsey. They deserve this award.
‘We’ve been absolutely bombarded with what we’ve been doing wrong,’ the nominator said, referring to the necessity for sustainable production.
‘Most people think the individual can’t help, but if we all do a bit, and they’ve taken on a lot, we can make a difference.’
‘That’s made my day!’ said Mr Meller on learning of the nomination.
They have also been working with The Soil Farm to ‘go beyond organic’ and into regenerative methods of farming.
‘A few people are growing sustainably on the island, we’d like to see a few more,’ he said.
‘I feel really proud. It’s a real boost.’
