Highbank Orchards

Highbank Orchards is a fifth generation farm based in Cuffesgrange, County Kilkenny. 

Run by husband and wife duo Rod and Julie Calder-Potts, their organic apple orchard is an industry leader in sustainability for their farming practices and award-winning organic apple products.

The fertile Kilkenny limestone soils are uniquely suited to produce delicious apples and apple juice organically. The varieties of apples are specially chosen for their juicing properties which are uniquely complex and full of health giving vitamins and minerals.  Everything grown is processed into over 16 products, from syrups and balsamic vinegar to apple wine and orchard spirits, you’ll be amazed at how much they can make from the simple apple!

The Calder-Potts are farming on land that was utilised by many generations before them, people from the 17th century cared for the land that they grow on and in turn, they will continue to protect for future farmers. As artisan producers, they know their apples. All of their production is to the strictest of organic standards. No chemicals are sprayed on the apples, neither are any herbicides or chemical fertilizers used. Highbank are long-term members and certified producers of the Organic Trust.

Highbank is home to the multi-award-winning Organic Orchard Syrup. In 2014, they welcomed a new facility to the organic farm – Dodonus – the smallest distillery in Ireland, which was built in the old Highbank Dairy and now produces Highbank Organic Apple Spirits They also produce a variety of delicious non-alcoholic drinks including delicious Apple Juices made from a variety of different apple species. Try their acclaimed non-alcoholic Drivers Cider which is sulphite-free with no added sugars.

A visit to Highbank is like no other, with passionate owner-led tours of the sprawling orchards and product tastings under the grand oak tree. 

Choose to take in the orchard at your own pace and follow along their Self-Guided Red Gate Tour. The tour features 12 vernacular red gates and posts forged hundreds of years ago on the Highbank farm and invites visitors to scan the QR code at each gate. A virtual Rod talks visitors through the history of each stop, telling the story of previous generations of his family who farmed the land, while also enlightening visitors about the importance of organic farming for gut health and the health of our environment.

“We are all connected. We are all involved. Humans now have the power to destroy everything, but if we act responsibly we can survive” – Rod Calder-Potts

Plan your trip to the blissful organic orchards at highbankorchards.com