Rull Orchard Awarded Best Rural Small Business in the South West

Mike Shortland is the owner of Rull Orchard and spent his whole working life was in demolition until, one sunny late autumnal morning three years ago, he realised he needed a change. He wanted to grow, not tear down. Create, not destroy.

So he left his job and bought an 8-acre field in Mid Devon near Tiverton. He had no clue as to what he was getting himself into except turning his hobby into a small business and working with nature.

He has since planted a new 300+ fruit and nut orchard – apples and pears were an obvious choice but also medlars, mulberries and quinces – and he now makes a range of awesome orchard products, juices and ciders and something called ‘Pomological’ – a cider aged in a rum barrel until it’s rich, sweet and decadent and makes a perfect gift. It can be shared with a cheese board at Christmas and it’s particularly good with a mature crumbly cheddar or a Dutch Gouda.

After quite a journey, Mike is incredibly proud to announce that, this month, Rull Orchard was chosen as the ‘Best Rural Small Business in the South West’!