An old apple packing shed, built in 1942 and full of character, the Apple Shed is home to Willie Smith’s award wining ciders.
Just 25 minutes south of Hobart, in the Huon Valley, the Shed is a stone’s throw from the Smith family’s apple orchard. With its rich soil and pure water, William Smith picked this perfect valley to grow apples back in 1888 and it’s still farmed today by his great grandson Andrew Smith.
Andrew founded Australia’s first certified organic cidery, Willie Smith’s Cider Makers, which is all about authentic cider showcasing the apples Andrew grows. Think French farmhouse style blends, bone dry English styles and limited releases using heirloom cider apples. Real cider.
A hive of activity year-round, the cider house is also home to Charles Oates Distillery – named after Willie’s father-in-law, the first member of the family drawn to the Huon. The team distil apple spirits on site, including Pommeau and Brandy – a Tassie take on a French tradition. The alembic Charentais still is one to behold – hand made in Tasmania based on a 16th century cognac still from France, it’s the only one of its kind in Australia.
The Experience
Enjoy a cider tasting or distillery tour and tasting, and then feast on the Shed’s local, seasonal and sustainable dishes. The chefs utilise the farm’s abundance of organic apples in cider braised pork and the famous house made apple pie – to name a few.
Visit on a Friday night for live music – everything from eclectic folk to a swing band. Or pop down on a Saturday morning to explore a showcase of local growers’ produce at the Willie Smith’s Artisan and Produce Market.
Artisan and Produce Market. (Right) Photo by Natalie Mendham
For those who want to learn more about the heritage of the Valley, the onsite museum houses many treasures from the past alongside the infamous apple wall which contains over 390 varieties of heritage apples.
The Shed is also host to weddings, parties, anything – as the saying goes. Host a working lunch in the distillery, a big birthday in the museum or take over the Shed and grounds to create a memorable event.
A great little shed that pumps – visit for seriously good cider for a seriously good time.
