Berries are in the blood at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm in rural Victoria – but the
success of the latest venture on the farm is proving even more fruitful than they
could have predicted.
Matt Gallace has worked his grandfather’s land at Mornington Peninsula since
primary school days; and so it came as no surprise he choose to follow in his
footsteps – the third generation to do so.
Taking traditional winemaking and agriculture skills his Italian grandfather handed
down through generations, Matt, along with wife Ruth and senior winemaker/brewer
Wayne Hewett, decided to use an innovative blending approach to try their hand at
fruit wine, launching Rebello Wines.
The wine was an immediate success, taking out a string of accolades, including its
Strawbellini being the only Australian sparkling to be awarded a double gold medal
at the San Francisco International Wine Competition along with international brands
France’s Veuve and Sonma Coast’s Piper.
Matt says it was “a natural evolution of the business to then try their hand at
cider”.
But in true Gallace style, it wasn’t to be just any cider.
Under the Rebello umbrella, ‘Cheeky Rascal Cider’ was born – Australia’s first 100%
pure fruit cider blend – revolutionising cider in this country.
“We decided to use the fresh local berries at the farm, combined with apples and
pears from other parts of Victoria, and without using concentrate, flavourings,
colours or additives just make a real premium quality Aussie fruit blended cider
which everyone can enjoy.”
They hadn’t even bottled their first batch before they’d sold out.
Demand for the product meant a trial run of 1,000 litres just 12 months ago turned
into the pair purchasing enough tanks to produce rolling 45,000 litre batches – an
880% growth to date.
The ‘Cheeky Rascal Cider’ range has just added another member to its family -
Summerberry – bringing to seven the varietals on offer.
With its own string of accolades already, including the Food Challenge Award for
Alcoholic Beverages (which recognises and rewards best practice and innovation in
food and beverage nationally), Best Cider (People’s Choice) at the Fed Square
Microbreweries Showcase, IGA Perth Royal Show Best Commercial Cider, and
medals at both the Australian Fruit Wine Show in Hobart and the Australian Fruit
Wine Show in Cairns – the entire range is now available in premium liquor outlets in
every State in Australia.
