Time to have a swig of some Hillbilly Cider with Shane & Tessa

Love the branding, love the name!  How, when and why did Hillbilly Cider come in to being

Glad you like the name - it seems to have really resonate with people!  We became "Hillbillies" half a dozen years ago when we moved to an orchard in Bilpin (Blue Mountains) in search of a simpler life.

Shane dug a cellar under the house and turned his wine making skills in to cider making.  He was making cider commercially for a couple of years before we launched Hillbilly so he really fine-tuned the art, so much so we won a bronze medal in the Australian Cider Awards a couple of weeks after launching the company last year.

You have been part of the OFM "family" for a while now.  How did you first find us and how difficult was it initially to get that all important client base started

We've always loved going to farmers markets ourselves.  We first came across Marrickville Markets from a customer's point of view!

We had a great reception with our cider and wines at both markets and we always look forward to seeing our customers each week.

It can feel a bit remote where we live in the mountains so we love loading up the ute with cider and heading to market for a good bit of social interaction!

What has been a stand out moment for you at Marrickville Market

Recently meeting Ben, the great grandson of  the inventor of the "granny smith apple", who told us that the apple was discovered accidentally growing out of compost!

Granny Smith's are one of the key apple cultivators we use in our cider.

You were recently featured in a magazine spread.  Incredibly satisfying and absolute positive reinforcement that you have "made the dream" a reality.  Where do you source your products from and are they sourced in an eco-friendly way.

Our cider is made from 100% Aussie apples: no concentrates or artificial flavours.  We use local invented apples by our neighbour, Bill Shields.

Our ciders are made completely naturally, unpasteurised, no added sugar or concentrates and fermented under pressure to allow use to bottle with a natural bubble without needing to add CO2.

In 5 words how would you sum up life as a marketeer at Marrickville Markets

Full with loyal Hillbilly followers 

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And with that, we suggest you get along, have a swig, buy a slab and get down with them Hillbilly's who have that amazing cider!

5 Questions with Stefano

Did you have a life before "Stefano's Homemade Dinners" or is your business simply an extension of yourself and lifestyle

Back in the day i was a DJ in London and working as an event manager.  I somehow could not get away from the idea of mixing, so I traded my records and turntables to a stove and some kitchen pots.  Thus began "mixing" into my next journey in the kitchen.

How long have you been part of the Marrickville Market Family?

I have been part of the "family" for about one and a half years.

With market life being so tangible, what has been one of the high points of marketeering for you

Definitely the opportunity of being able to know some amazing people and becoming part of their lives whether they be customers or fellow stallholders

Cooking is hard slog at the best of times.  What is the most satisfying aspect of it for you the individual and you the businessman/chef

Even though at times market life is hard (being outdoors dealing with the elements, waking up early and crazy hours spent prepping in a kitchen) the most satisfying aspect would be the loyal returning customers and the opportunity to provide them with healthy nutritious food.

Seeing people enjoying and respecting what I do is priceless!

How would you sum up life as a Marrickville Marketeer

Wholesome, fun, rewarding, eventful, communal

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A muchos gracias to Stefano for not just being a fantastic "mixer" but providing us with some sensational food every week!