Domaine Édouard Bénard

Reviving the forgotten orchards of Normandy with precision and passion.

Édouard Bénard’s journey into the world of cider is a story of serendipity and deep respect for the land. After honing his skills in a cidery and working as an orchardist, Édouard established his own domain in 2019 with a unique, community-focused approach. He began by "gleaning"—harvesting fruit from private backyards and neglected gardens—helping locals reconnect with their living heritage while saving high-quality fruit from going to waste.

Today, Édouard manages a conservatory orchard featuring sixty varieties of apples and as many pears. His work is a labor of restoration: he spends much of his time bringing abandoned orchards—some left untouched for over a decade—back to life. By grafting ancient varieties from his conservatory onto new plantings, he ensures that Normandy’s genetic cider heritage continues to thrive for future generations.

In the cellar, Édouard follows a philosophy of "letting the fruit speak." His ciders are crafted using the ancestral method: hand-harvested fruit is matured in crates (palox) before being pressed. Fermentations are sparked by wild yeasts (levures indigènes), and the fine bubbles are achieved through natural carbonation in the bottle. With cuvées like Ambre, Rustique, and Demoiselle, Édouard produces ciders and poirés that are incredibly seductive—balancing warmth and voluptuous fruit with a fresh, vibrant finish. These are true "nuggets" of the natural cider scene, defined by their purity and creative spirit.