British cider maker in southern France wins international prizes
Stuart Cook on his experience moving to France and starting a pure fruit cidrerie
Published
Some five years ago, The Connexion interviewed a British man who became the first cider producer in the Gers department of France. Today, Stuart Cook owns two orchards, has won international prizes and has set up a local cider association.
Mr Cook, originally from Hereford in England, moved to southern France in 2003. In 2018, he decided to import some apple trees from his home county and later established his cider business PHC (Pointy Head Cider) in 2020.
“The goal has always been to make proper cider with pure juice, instead of most of the industrial stuff in supermarkets today that is full of sugar,” Mr Cook tells The Connexion.
There are close to 2,000 trees growing varieties of English, French and Basque apples across the PHC orchards, that are located in Aux-Aussat (Gers) and Casteide-Cami (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). Eco pastures also play a key role in production, with Shropshire sheep, beehives and natural remedies contributing to create a cider without pesticides, chemicals or filters.
Judges gave their seal of approval at the 2023 International Cider and Perry competition in Hereford, with PHC winning first prize in the ‘traditional method’ category. In May, he won gold and bronze in the ‘wood/barrel-aged’ international category at the 2026 Japan Cider Cup.
“The long-term plan is to have Japanese tourists come over to visit different cider mills in the Pyrénées, before heading down to the Basque Country for a traditional dining experience,” says Mr Cook, who just this month set up Cidre des Pyrénées – an association aiming to develop tourism in the area, save forgotten orchards, and protect ancient cider apple varieties.
“I linked up with a local historian who knows everything about the area. There is a whole scene of heritage and history that I am trying to promote and pass on through the association,” he added.
On August 1, PHC is set to host the Pyrénées Cider Fest in Aux-Aussat, complete with a flower market, craft stands and live music, as well as the first Cidre des Pyrénées competition – open to entries from local and international producers.
“I have a brewery on site as well and I make small batches of beer,” said Mr Cook who will also be hosting Aux-tober Fest (a local twist on Oktoberfest), which despite the name will be held in September.
“We have started installing a guinguette-style bar, which should be open by the end of June, so people can come and have a drink with some snack food, all while looking over the orchard,” said Mr Cook.
The plan is to open the bar for a couple of nights each week over summer at the Aux-Aussat site. Further details will be posted on the PHC Facebook page.
“I am also renovating the farmhouse into an Airbnb and hope to turn the wine cellar into an old tavern with slate floors to create an immersive drinking experience. It is all about taking cider back in time and making it how it used to be made,” said Mr Cook.
PHC’s cider is stocked in some wine cellars and shops around the Gers (Villecomtal-sur-Arros, Marciac, Tillac, Auch) and Pyrénées-Atlantiques (Lescar, Morlaàs).Mr Cook is looking to branch into the Haute-Garonne department.
For more information contact: cidreriephc@gmail.com.
