Where to go wine tasting in Cornwall
Vineyards and wineries in Cornwall
Calling all wine buffs! Did you know that as well as boasting the UK’s most beautiful holiday cottages, Cornwall also offers a sophisticated selection of home-grown wines to rival the old world’s champagne and prosecco? It’s all down to a temperate climate, rich soils and sunshine-flooded slopes, as well as some talented winemakers, of course. Fancy a chilled glass of Cornish fizz overlooking a verdant vineyard? Tour Cornwall’s pretty wineries to soak up the scenery and taste some of England’s finest wines.
Camel Valley, Bodmin
Camel Valley is Cornwall’s largest and most celebrated vineyard, with 82 acres of south-facing slopes located just off the Camel Trail, which follows the river valley from Bodmin Moor to Padstow. The small, award-winning family business is nestled in a picturesque hillside at the bottom of a winding road. Former RAF pilot Bob Lindo founded it in 1989 after a mid-air collision forced him to rethink his life. He now gives relaxed and informative tours, explaining the winemaking process from start to finish and the history of the vineyard. After your tour, pick a spot on the sun terrace to admire the glorious views while sampling a selection of Camel Valley produce – try the rose brut, which the Sunday Times named ‘England’s most consistently delicious pink fizz’. An absolute joy on a summer’s evening.
Polgoon, Penzance, south Cornwall
Hot on Camel Valley’s heels comes Polgoon, established by local couple Kim and John Coulson in 2006. Polgoon immediately hit the big time, with Waitrose awarding them with a trophy for Best Still Rosé in the UK. A couple of bad harvests led the pair to branch out into creating fruit ciders, including raspberry and apple, and today the vineyard offers a range of award-winning sparkling and still wines, ciders, perry, scrumpy and juices. Vineyard tours and tastings are available from April to October, with extra days in the summer. Everything produced is certified vegan, and the setting, just outside Penzance, is superb.
Trevibban Mill, Padstow, north Cornwall
Close to the dramatic North Cornish coast, next to the picturesque fishing village of Padstow and nestled in the heart of the Cornish countryside, Trevibban Mill is an award-winning working vineyard known for its stunning collection of Cornish wines and cider, all made within a stylish and contemporary winery in a beautifully rural setting. Started in 2008 by Engin and Liz Mumcuoglu, it offers a behind-the-scenes story of the wines on a guided tour usually led by one of the owners or a family member of the estate, followed by a tutored tasting of five selected wines. Or you can just rock up and relax with a glass on the balcony overlooking the vineyard and rolling Cornish countryside, in a secluded sunspot nestled among the vines. If it’s raining, chill in the open-plan contemporary tasting room.
Looe Valley, Looe, south-east Cornwall
If you’re after a simple, sunny treat, head to Looe Valley Vineyard. Charles Boney and Sue Brownlow started planting vines there in 2008 and have been producing and selling wine commercially since 2014. The focus at Looe Valley is on high-quality, artisanal drinks and it’s famed for its Kir and Sparkling Solaris. Tours are led personally by Charles, who offers up an encyclopedic knowledge of the processes of viticulture (growing the grapes) and vinification (making wine).
Knightor Winery, St Austell, south Cornwall
Nestled above the shores of St Austell Bay on the south Cornwall coast, Knightor is a working winery across four acres of vineyards and orchards. Take a guided tour through the display vines, where you’ll learn about the varieties grown in the UK as well as those from other regions around the world, with tips on how to grow your own. This is followed by a peek into the winery for a brief introduction to how wine is made, and finally a tasting of four wines. Tastings are held in a collection of 18th-century barns that ooze rustic appeal with a backdrop of gorgeous countryside.
Bosue Vineyard, St Austell, south Cornwall
Nestled in ancient farmland near the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Bosue Vineyard occupies a shallow valley sheltered by oak, willow, hazel and hawthorn trees. A visit here to meet the Sibley family and taste their hand-crafted wines is a great way to learn more about traditional viticulture and winemaking. ‘Cornish wine from Cornish vines’ is the mantra at Bosue, and the results are superb, with the wines winning national awards on a regular basis. There is a pretty cellar door tasting room and terrace overlooking the vines, making this boutique vineyard a great place to stop off for refreshment after a day exploring the area, and perhaps visiting the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Cornish Wine Tours
Want to hit Camel Valley, Bosue, Knightor and Trevibban all in one day? Get someone else to do the driving and organising. Cornish Wine Tours offer full and half day all-inclusive wine tasting tours around Cornwall, visiting the county’s most prestigious vineyards and wineries. See the sights, taste the wines and enjoy a decadent lunch without the hassle of driving home at the end.