Knightor Winery

grape picking at Knightor winery, Cornwall UK

What? Knightor is a working winery situated amongst four acres of orchards and a series of wildflower meadows. The team are owners of the The Vine by Knightor inspired by their love of street food, located at the Portscatho Vineyard on the Roseland Peninsula and Knightor is also a wedding venue. Other Knightor vineyards can be found at Seaton on the South Cornish coast, and the grapes from both sites are used to make still and sparkling wine. The first settlement at Knightor is recorded as 1305 with Manor House being re-built in the mid to late 19th century, along with the barns but the first vines were not planted until 2007 and the first wines made in 2010.

Where? The main winery at Knightor is at Trethurgy, just off the A391 inland from St Austell, overlooking the bay.

How do I try? Guided tours of the winery and vineyards are available to book direct, on Thursdays and Sundays during the summer, as well as more regular guided tastings. Or, you can buy direct from the winery online.

Stand out sip? Carpe Diem is their best-selling white, typically English in style and goes well with food, and we also enjoy their various Bacchus’. Sparkling wise, the Brut is a classic, and we also rate their award-winning Vermouth, inspired by founder Alex’s Italian heritage.

Trevibban Mill Vineyard

What? At Trevibban Mill Liz and Engin Mumcuoglu planted their first vines back in 2008 after buying up a run-down mill. They now make both still and sparkling on-site, under the direction of a consultant wine maker. Alongside the vines, find orchards, sheep and wild flower meadows. Trevibban Mill opt for quality and sustainability over production and aim is to provide small quantities of characterful wines and ciders in the most resourceful way possible; most of the land is Soil Association certified and no herbicides are used. Back for summer 2024, the Barnaby’s pop up from the team behind popular restaurant, Prawn on the Lawn, is now a permanent fixture, and the place to be for a long lazy lunch looking out over the vines and meadows (pictured above).

Where? Trevibban Mill is two miles inland from Padstow on a small wild-flower filled road called Dark Lane.

How do I try? Head over for a tasting or tour of the vineyard and cellars, (we’ll be adding on one of the grazing boards by their own food business, Themptations, thank you very much), or buy from their online shop.

Stand out sip? The Orion Skin Contact white is unique, organic, and on-trend, or, plump for a classic dry white, Harlyn. Sparkling wise, the Pinot Noir Rosé is award-winning, or, impress your mates with your wine knowledge with a minimal intervention single ferment pink Pét-Nat made from 100% Dornfelder.

Camel Valley

Camel Valley vineyard from above, vines in full leaf, Cornwall UK

What? The ‘father’ of Cornish wine, as the Lindo’s planted their first eight thousand vines back in 1989, when English wines were barely even on anyone’s radar. Fast forward to 2018 and they were the first English wine producer to be granted a royal warrant; in 2024 they were one of only a handful of companies to retain their warrants when the King and Queen announced their new warrant holders (and uniquely, Camel Valley were the only wines appearing on both lists). Bob’s son Sam is now in charge and was named UK Winemaker of the Year in 2007. The ‘gold-standard’ in terms of Cornish wine and one of the producers at the forefront of the idea that Champagne-method wines could be produced as far north as the UK.

Where? On the Camel Trail half-way between Bodmin and Wadebridge at Nanstallon, so handy for non-driving access as you can cycle back.

How do I try? They supply Waitrose nationally, Fortnum’s and Hakkasan in London and Camel Valley is on the menu at loads of lovely places including the PIG, The Tate and more. Tours and tastings are available daily, you can rock up on your bike and buy a glass to enjoy on their terrace, or visit their winery shop Mon-Friday. You can also buy online.

Stand out sip? The Bacchus still white, or, if you’re looking for something with a bit of a story, try the Raymond Blanc de Noir rosé, made to celebrate Raymond’s visit to Camel Valley to film ‘Raymond Blanc’s Christmas’ special. Raymond picked grapes at Camel Valley and helped load the press himself.

Polgoon

Polgoon Rondo red wine in a glass at the tasting rooms at Penzance Cornwall UK

What? After seeking advice from Bob Lindo at Camel Valley, John and Kim Coulson bought an old flower farm and set about planting vines. Their first wine harvest in 2006 allowed them to create the first Polgoon rosé. Poor harvests in some years meant John and Kim also planted orchards from which they create their award-winning ciders, scrumpies and juices. Vines planted include Seyval Blanc, Bacchus, Ortega, Rondo, Pinot Noir and interestingly for Cornwall, Sauvignon Blanc. There is a restaurant, The Vinehouse Kitchen, onsite.

Where? Just above Penzance, looking out over Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount and handily placed for the A30, you’ll see the signs as you drive past.

How do I try? Polgoon run a number of tasting tours, both guided and self-guided as well as a more specific Sparkling Wine tour. Buy in the winery shop, open daily (reduced winter hours) or online.

Stand out sip? Polgoon’s Sauvignon Blanc (buy / taste at Kernowine) is very different from a typical New Zealand or French Sauv and worth trying for the distinct Cornish minerality, and the Rondo is also a tasty red. We also really rate their apple juice!

Looe Valley Vineyard

What? Looe Valley Vineyard was established in 2008 and is a small artisan vineyard and winery producing small scale productions of still and sparkling wine.

Where? St. Keyne, near Looe, just off the A38.

How do I try? Tours and tastings run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons during the summer. Looe Valley Wines can be delivered anywhere in the UK, or alternatively local customers can also pick up from the vineyard by arrangement or free local delivery for cases of wine to PL13 and PL14 addresses.

Stand out sip? Try the solaris still or sparkling – solaris is a cool climate white grape that is more usually found in Germany.

Bosue Vineyard

Bosue Brut bottle on table at Kernowines Falmouth UK, winner of Muddy Stilettos Cornwall best bar 2023

What? Bosue Vineyard is owned and run by Paul and Liz Sibley with family help on the south coast of Cornwall where the south facing slopes and mild Cornish climate perfectly suit the varieties of Rondo, Regent, Solaris, Johanniter, Phoenix and Orion Grapes. The first vines were planted in 1996 and they now have around 3000 vines, creating sparkling wines and brandy.

Where? You’ll find the winery at St Ewe, about one mile from The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

How do I try? The online shop, or buy a bottle at Kernowine, Falmouth.

Stand out sip? The Bosue Vineyard Brut, pictured above, is a traditional method sparkling wine is a blend of Phoenix, Orion and Johanniter grapes creating refreshing acidity.

Healeys Vineyard at Tregoninny

What? 12,000 Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Seyval Blancvines were planted in 2018 at Tregoninny, although Healeys is probably more widely known as the largest independent cyder-maker in Cornwall – Healeys Farm (they make Rattler).

Where? Healeys Farm is at Penhallow near Truro. You can stay at the Tregoninny Farmhouse.

How do I try? At Healeys Farm, or visit their online shop.

Stand out sip? The Tresor Classic Cuvée Sparkling Wine is made using the classic champagne method from 100% Cornish, single-estate hand-picked Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Seyval Blanc grapes.

St Martin’s Vineyard

What? Val and Graham Thomas began the project in 1996 as a holiday hobby and current winemakers James and Holly moved to the island of St Martin’s in 2020 to take on guardianship of the 2,000 vines that make up the vineyard. The site also produces apple juices and ciders, as well as a micro-brewery.

Where? Higher Town, St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly. Situated 25 to 36 miles off Land’s End, the island of St Martin’s is the nearest of the islands to Cornwall, just two miles long, and accessed by boat from St Mary’s where the ships dock.

How do I try? Production is small, so you’ll need to visit as even the online shop is sold out of the previous vintages and the current ones have not yet been released for 2024. Tours and tasting run on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout the season, with no need to book, just turn up. You could also bookmark the annual Taste of Scilly food and drink festival in September, where in 2022 chef Simon Stallard worked with a number of producers across the islands – he is pictured with James and Holly above in the vineyard.

Stand out sip? Try the St Martin’s Rosé (2020 Vintage) as it is truly unique – primarily produced from the Regent grape variety, it also includes in the blend Black Hamburg which comes from a 100-year old vine still growing on the island.

Holy Vale Vineyard

guests touring the vines at Holyvale Vineyard St Mary's Isles of Scilly Cornwall UK

What? Star Castle Hotel is a family run hotel on the island of St Mary’s and owner Robert Francis alongside son, James, have planted 7,000 Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris vines on St Mary’s, under the guidance of Austrian wine expert, Willi Opitz.

Where? St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, is the largest of the five islands that makes up the archipelago. The Scillonian docks at Hugh Town, with the airport just nearby and Star Castle is just nearby.

How do I try? Guests at the Star Castle are able to enjoy Holy Vale’s wines in the hotel’s restaurants. When stocks are low, join one of the guided tours that run Monday to Friday (exc Thursdays), telling the story of the vineyard, introducing visitors to the process of winemaking and allowing tasting and purchasing of the wines produced at Holy Vale (£10, no need to book, just turn up).

Stand out sip? The vineyard is one of the only vineyard’s in Cornwall to be producing Pinot Gris.

BONUS: a new Cornish vineyard holding tours but not yet producing wine

Atlantic Vineyard

What? Founders Liz, Tim, Caroline and James set about converting 7.5 acres of South West facing potato and barley plantings into their long awaited dream vineyard. They have spent the last couple of years working with local farmers to get the land ready for the vines, sourcing new Earth-Friendly vines imported from Germany and Italy, and then planting them. Varieties include Divico, Pinotin, Solaris, Muscaris and Johanniter and more have been selected for the Cornish climate.

Where? Just outside Newquay, near to Nansledan.

How do I try? Planting only began in May 2022 so no wine has yet been made, but organic English wine including Red, White, Sparkling, Rose and a non-alcoholic alternative are in the plans, and the family are running tours for 2024. Select your date here (mostly Fridays and Saturdays) and pay £20 per person which includes a tour and a tasting of wines imported that reflect their proposed style.

Stand out sip? Time will tell, watch this space!

Cheers! 9 fab wineries & vineyards in Cornwall to visit

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