Wholesome juice brings Christmas Cheer
- At December 06, 2017
- By Richard Bentley
- In Juice, Seasonal
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Our Christmas gift packs of three x 750ml bottles of wholesome Bentleys juice are perfect for someone who enjoys delicious and healthy local produce. Choose between our apple juice with ginger (which is perfect with whiskey, heated up or as it is); pure apple juice with raspberry; the cold-pressed, orchard pear juice; our mixed or single variety apple juices; or our apple juice with beetroot for those who prefer something a little less sweet. All our juices are made from the orchard fruit that we grow at Castle Fruit Farm, and we have won awards for the flavour of our produce and our sustainable methods.
The hand-pressed juice is produced on the farm, and it doesn’t contain any additives apart from a very small amount of vitamin C to prevent the juice from discolouring once it is opened. Unopened, the pasteurised juice lasts for 18 months. Most importantly, we think that the flavour of the tree-ripened fruit from our Newent farm can’t be beaten.
Juice makes an excellent gift for people who can’t or prefer not to drink alcohol over the festive period; it is a great winter pick-me-up as and it can be enjoyed by all the family.
We can supply the three bottles of juice in an eye-catching festive presentation box (at £2.50 for each bottle of apple or pear juices, or £2.80 for the juice blends) or provide a mixed box of juices and produce. You’ll be giving something that can’t be bought in the supermarkets, and which supports conservation agriculture and biodiversity. Just give us a ring or stop by our farm shop and let us do the rest.
Award number three! Waitrose Farming Partnership
- At November 30, 2017
- By Richard Bentley
- In News, On the Farm
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Michael & Christiana Bentley of Castle Fruit Farm were winners at the 2017 Waitrose Farming Partnership Annual Conference, in the category ‘Farm Risk Assessment’, for their work encouraging biodiversity in a commercially successful orchard.
Read here to find out more about our work to promote biodiversity and to create a sustainable future for our farm. Or get in touch to find out more about our sustainably produced apples, pears, plums and juices.
Bentleys Castle Fruit Farm juice wins at Cotswold Life Food and Drink Awards
- At November 28, 2017
- By Richard Bentley
- In Juice, News
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Earlier in the year, Cotswold Life magazine asked its readers to nominate their favourite food and drinks from Cotswold farmers, producers manufacturers and retailers. The results were then judged by a panel of industry experts.
In the drinks category (excluding ‘Ale, Beer or Cider’), the finalists included Three Choirs Vineyards, for their Classic Cuvée, Gibson’s Organic Liqueurs, of Westwell, for their Elderflower Liqueur, and yours truly, for our cold-pressed Pear Juice.
And the winner is …
We are very happy to announce that our Bentleys Pear Juice was chosen as the winner of the Cotswold Life Drinks Product of the Year award ‘for having no added products or preservatives’ … With ‘a flavoursome taste and striking packaging, judges commented that it was a drink that can be enjoyed by all ages.’
They also said:
‘We champion the best local producers, suppliers and businesses that are passionate about the Cotswold countryside and the future of our local environment.
‘Thanks to both the nominations of the public and our well-respected judges, we have picked a winner worthy of the “Drinks Product of the Year”.’
See the article on Cotswold Life magazine website or find out:
Where can I buy it?
The latest buzz – recognition for helping pollinators in Gloucestershire
- At November 20, 2017
- By Richard Bentley
- In News, On the Farm
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Bentleys Castle Fruit Farm Orchard Bee
We are thrilled to announce that Castle Fruit Farm was recently awarded the 2017 Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) Silver Pintail Trophy in recognition of our commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and wildlife protection! This year, the Gloucestershire award was focused on creating food and habitats for pollinators, through a range of interventions and land management practices. Over recent years, there has been a dramatic decline of bumblebees and other pollinators, and two bumblebee species have gone extinct since the start of the 20th century.
As a family business growing fruit and preparing hand-made apple and pear juice, we are committed to cultivating the land to ensure biodiversity for generations to come. This means that wherever possible we use natural, biological and cultural methods to control pest, disease and weeds thus minimising the use of agrochemicals.
The farm, near Newent in north Gloucestershire, has a microclimate that is ideal for orchard fruit. Stonefruit, in particular, can be affected by early frosts and the form and situation of Castle Fruit Farm enable the reliable production of plums and gages. Pollination is key to good cropping in orchard fruit, and pollinators are key to the health of the ecosystem, supporting the lives of many other species. The diversity of pollen and nectar flowers, combined with overwintering habitat, are vital for maintaining good insect numbers. To this end, we are doing the following:
- Rotational hedgerow cutting, every two or three years, to yield more and varied spring blossom
- Improving diversity in the shelter belts by including maple, hazel, goat and grey willow, wild privet and small-leaved lime
- Establishing more wildflower species in any undisturbed areas
- Drilling clover, and other hardy leguminous herbs into grass alleys
- Leaving every alternate orchard row unmown to encourage the diversity of plants and habitats for insects
- Planting goat willow around the lakes
- Woodpiles and other overwintering materials are left where they will not be disturbed to provide habitat for fauna and insects
- We have established a species-rich pollen and nectar mix in the middle of an orchard area
A study has already shown that there are high numbers of pollinators in our orchards.
We are doing many other things, too, such as experimenting with the use of wood chips to prevent soil erosion and using locally sourced green waste compost to improve soil organic matter contents. We have installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the cold store roofs and barn which contributes to a saving of electricity from the grid. A device has been installed in the farmhouse which diverts any surplus PV generated electricity into heating the water; in effect a way of storing energy. We are always open to receiving visitors and sharing our vision for sustainable fruit production with schools and community groups.
We will continue to create and improve habitats for beneficial insects within the orchard and continue our policy of developing diverse habitats in and around our orchards.
You can read more about the FWAG Silver Pintail Trophy here.
Support our efforts in sustainable farming by purchasing our delicious fruit and cold-pressed juices from our Farm Shop today!