Sweet success 'Wannabe cowboy' becomes acclaimed cider maker

WHEN Matt Stephenson stepped away from a successful career in business in the wake of the covid pandemic, little did he think he would become an award-winning cider maker.

- 

Matt, 65, had spent 40 years working across the UK, Europe and beyond as a business advisor, but when the covid pandemic hit, his world of work changed.

Having moved into Failand Farm in 2016 with his wife Philipa, the pair set about transforming the 120-acre site nestled in the North Somerset countryside.

“Philipa had spent her life as a frustrated farmer,’ said Matt. “And when the farm came up for sale she really had a vision to transform it and to do something different alongside it being our family home.”

The couple, who have three grownup children, set about rewilding the site.

New woodlands were created along with wildlife corridors to improve the natural habitat.

A vineyard and orchard, certified as organic by the Soil Association, were planted over 2017 and 2018 and an old barn transformed into a winery, with the vision of producing natural, organic wine from the site. When covid hit, Matt, who was juggling the farm with his other business commitments, was forced to rethink and finally decided this was the right time to focus exclusively on the farm and drinks business.

“Due to covid, the way I worked changed completely,” he said.

“All the parts of it I enjoyed, particularly the face to face elements, suddenly went out of the window. It was time to rethink”

But there was little time for contemplation - as the first harvest of grapes needed to be carried out that summer.

“We had planted 3,200 vines and due to the fantastic spring weather of 2020 during lockdown we were expecting a good crop.