Domaine de
Rugueville

Nicolas Flambard, grower and producer in Portbail, Normandy, sells his apple-based products on the estate. These include cider, Pommeau, Calvados, apple juice, apple cider vinegar…
As these beverages are produced using careful craft methods, some boast certifications such as AOP Contentin Cider or organic apple juice.

As on many farms in Normandy, pas­sing on savoir-faire is part of the tra­di­tion. It was the­re­fore only natu­ral that Nico­las Flam­bard would take over the busi­ness crea­ted by his father, Chris­tian, in 2017. In the 90s, Chris­tian had acqui­red 5 hec­tares of farm­land sur­roun­ding the house, which marked the begin­nings of the farm. Apple trees were plan­ted : high stem and low stem trees of dif­ferent tra­di­tio­nal cider apple varie­ties, and he began pro­du­cing crat cider, Pom­meau and Calvados. In 2009, Chris­tian conver­ted the farm to orga­nic agri­cul­ture. He ins­tal­led birds nests for tits, intro­du­ced lady­birds to avoid the use of pes­ti­cides, and set up bee­hives to pol­li­nate the apple trees. Today, Nico­las is at the helm of the farm which conti­nues to res­pect tra­di­tion, nature and consu­mers. Domaine de Rugue­ville is one of around ten Normandy pro­du­cers who pro­duce AOP (PDO) Coten­tin cider. This craft cider made from local varie­ties has a dis­tinct ter­roir fla­vour which is slight­ly bitter and tart. It is 100% pure juice and natu­ral­ly spark­ling, without the addi­tion of gas or any pasteurisation.