Businessman to Launch LV Hard Cider Farm

How does one go from manufacturing and marketing cosmetics to farming and raising an apple orchard?

For Sean Campbell, a New Zealand native now living in Texas, it’s all about passion.

The New York City hedge fund manager and director of Syence Skin Care has invested $2.75 million and purchased 392 acres of farmland on West Mill Road, more than half of a preserved parcel of land where he plans to start a hard apple cider farm.

The businessman, who spent 17 years in London, learned that the British are the biggest drinkers of cider in the world, he said. It was there his affinity for the product and how it is made was born.

When the hard cider is ready, Campbell’s farm will produce two forms of the product, named “Vixen” and “Wild Boar.” He wants the farm to be similar to that of a winery like those found in Napa and Somona Valleys, he said.

“I want people to come in and taste our product and enjoy themselves while they’re on the farm,” Campbell said. “It’s going to be an experience, not just a cider.”

Long Road Ahead

Of course, Campbell says, this farming enterprise won’t happen overnight.

Campbell said that the best cider comes from France because of its trees, and that’s why he’s importing 6,000 young apple trees from the European country to be planted on his farm.

“In order to have the best tasting cider, you need to have superior quality trees,” he said. “And the type cider you have is quite important for this endeavor.”

Great hard cider wasn’t always claimed by the French, though, Campbell says. The United States was once a leader in hard cider, but production was destroyed during prohibition, he said, and cideries quickly were eliminated.

The 6,000 apple trees will take between three and five years to mature, he said, and that’s why it’s so important to begin the project immediately.

Campbell, who will live in one of the residences on the property, expects to meet experts from France on the property before the end of the month to help get the project underway.

The group will discuss the proper machinery necessary to plant the trees and prepare the farm for its new inhabitants, Campbell said. He expects to plant the trees this spring.

While Campbell waits for the trees to mature, he expects to produce apple juice for sale as well.

“Farming alone isn’t really the best investment,” Campbell said, laughing. “You have to have the proper funding for this kind of endeavor.”

Once the cider is produced, Campbell will operate the farm as a winery, but also plans to export the drinks throughout the country.

For now, though, the process is just beginning. And the man who has succeeded in cosmetics and investments will try his hand at a new business.

But because this is his passion, for Campbell, the new endeavor versus his previous ones will be like comparing apples to oranges.

And, Campbell assures, those apples will taste great.