BALHOLM
Balholm is the old name of Balestrand, which lies in the middle of Sogn, where the first orchards have bloomed since the 12th century.
The climate in Sogn means that the fruit ripens more slowly than in areas further south, which creates a more acidic and concentrated flavour.
When Åge Eitungjerde took over the farm from his grandfather in the mid-90s, he looked for new ways to utilize the fruit. Balholm, at the time called Gulleple, became a pioneering product. The first all-natural, pure fruit juice in the Norwegian market. Since 2004, Åge and his wife Eli-Grete Høyvik have built the stately Ciderhuset (the Cider House) in the old orchard from 1922. Based on an idea they believed in: "Fruit is incredibly exciting and cider is the Norwegian wine." Åge became a pioneer in fruit and berry drinks, sparkling drinks, as well as cider, fruit wine and spirits. Always with one foot in tradition and the other in innovation.
Today, Balholm makes over 40 different products, including fruit juice, lemonade, cider, fruit wine and fruit spirits. Several of them have won awards both in Norway and Europe. Now his son Gard and his wife, Tuba Ardic, from Turkey, have taken over Ciderhuset.
In the summer, you can have dinner in Tuba's cider restaurant, Norway's first and probably only cider restaurant, which specializes in composing food that complements our cider and fruit wine, and exclusively serves cider, fruit wine and fruit spirit. You can join a tasting in the orchard or the cider cellar and learn about how we distil and make sparkling cider using the 'methode traditionelle' - from seed to fruit and from fruit to the finished product.
FARM SHOP OPENING HOURS:
Mandag 13-18
Tirsdag 13-18
Onsdag 13-18
Torsdag 13-18
Fredag 13-18
Lørdag 13-18
Søndag Stengt
Contact information:
Address: Sjøtunsvegen 36
6899 Balestrand
Contact person: Tuba Ardic / Gard Eitungjerde Høyvik
Telephone: +47 994 99 981