The morning was spent in the DPD nursery looking at plant health
management. Later DPD staff accompanied me on a tour of local interesting
producers. We visited The Somerset Distillery where we met owner Julian Temperley
who has revived the tradition of distilling apple spirit. It is thought cider
apples have been grown in this region for more than a thousand years. Julian's
apple spirits are aged in oak barrels for up to 20 years and his product which
includes a 42% alcohol brandy is internationally acclaimed.
Julian was generous with
his time and gave us some very interesting background on his industry plus an
extensive tasting of his range of apple based cider products.
We then went on to a winery specializing in fruit wines such as apricot,
blackcurrant, nettle and ginger, gooseberry and elderflower to mention a few. This
retail shop was buzzing with customers keen to purchase these surprising
products. We met with vineyard manager Rob Corbett and went to look at a vineyard
on the Lymelight range overlooking slopes, valleys and the sea.
Later we drove down to the Lyme Regis shorefront. This area of ruggard coast
line is world heritage listed because of the incredible deposit of fossils which
date back 185 million years to the Jurassic period.
Some of these fossils are in museums all over the world and there are
several fossil shops set up in the town selling to tourists, private collectors
etc.
The beach is stone and pebble - a very dramatic coastline with really old stone
houses overlooking the view out over the harbour.
Another fantastic day!!!
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