A cellar door for Batlow's most wanted cider.
The Apple Thief had built a loyal following for its single-varietal ciders made from Batlow apples, but the business had no home. Production relied on interstate facilities, the brand was growing faster than the operation could support, and the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires had devastated the orchards and community around it. Dave Purcell, the brand's founder, wanted to bring everything together in one place - production, tasting, retail and a visitor experience that could put Batlow back on the map.
The Cider House sits at the edge of the orchard on the Wilgro site, positioned adjacent to the existing packing shed that once housed a modest shop selling orchard apples and homemade goods. The new building carries forward that tradition of local connection while introducing a fresh public presence to the site.
A rural shed, elevated.
The design takes its cues from the simplicity of the rural sheds that define this landscape, elevating the typology into a refined but unpretentious gathering place. Expansive sliding doors open the tasting room onto a generous outdoor deck, creating a seamless relationship between inside and the orchard rows beyond. The plan accommodates tastings, casual dining, a small kitchen, retail and space for local produce offerings - all flexible enough to host events and community gatherings alongside everyday visitors.
The defining material of the interior is Alpine Ash - hardwood native to the Snowy Mountains, reclaimed from trees destroyed in the Black Summer fires. Each piece was hand-milled by local craftsman Joe Burgess, preserving the grain and character of timber that would otherwise have been lost. Layered through the high ceilings and walls, the ash provides warmth, texture and a tangible link to the orchard industry - while quietly honouring the losses this community has endured. Feature windows frame views over the working orchard, reinforcing the connection between the building and the landscape it sits within.
A destination for Batlow.
The Apple Thief Cider House was funded through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, jointly supported by the Australian and New South Wales governments, with matched private investment from the Purcell family. The project was conceived not only to rebuild a business, but to give Batlow a year-round tourism anchor - something the town lacked before the fires and urgently needed after them.
Construction utilised local tradespeople throughout, supporting regional employment during the build and beyond. The Cider House opened in May 2025 during Batlow's annual Ciderfest, and now welcomes visitors throughout the week. In doing so, the project transforms a simple shed into an enduring place of hospitality, celebration and connection to the land.
