Between the fjord and lush mountainsides, in the fruit-growing village of Sekse—at the heart of one of Norway’s oldest and most tradition-rich orchard regions—you’ll find Epli Sideri: a modern cidery with deep roots in local history. It all began in 2015, when brothers Kristian and Karl Magnus took over the family farm and started producing apple juice and cider under the name Hardangergutane. Since then, both the production and the family have grown. Today, Inger and Kristian run the farm, giving the business a new name while keeping the same distinctive taste.
From Hardangergutane to Epli Sideri
The name Epli comes from an old word for apple, used in everyday speech in Hardanger as far back as Norse times. The new name marks the beginning of a new chapter. In 2024, production returned to the family farm in Sekse, now housed in newly built, modern facilities. Here, Inger and Kristian have planted new orchards and continued to develop a cidery that cares for both craftsmanship and nature.
The Taste of Hardanger – from Tree to Glass
Epli Sideri produces a wide range of apple- and berry-based drinks—entirely without artificial additives. Everything is harvested by hand, pressed with care, and developed with deep respect for the raw ingredients.
Inger is a trained Pommelier, a field that brings together sensory knowledge, tradition, and an understanding of cider’s cultural and geographical character. This gives Epli Sideri a strong professional foundation for product development—and a promise of quality in every glass, no matter what you choose to drink.
Farm Shop and Tasting Experiences
At the new cidery, you’ll find an open farm shop offering products not available anywhere else—perfect if you’d like to bring something genuinely local home with you. Groups are also welcomed for cider tastings by arrangement, where you can taste three different products paired with local cheeses and cured meats, walk through the orchard and step inside the production space, and hear the story of the farm while gaining insight into the journey from fruit tree to bottle.
The tasting experience lasts around 1.5 hours and is suited both to curious newcomers and those already familiar with the world of cider. Non-alcoholic options are, of course, available.
Sustainability at the Core
At Epli Sideri, quality and sustainability go hand in hand. By-products from production are reused as animal feed by nearby farmers, and both orchard and production facilities are designed to manage resources in ways that benefit nature and people alike.
Welcome to Sekse and Epli Sideri!