Firmly established on the global map, Cornwall is widely recognised for the quality of its wines. Boasting temperate climes, plentiful sunshine hours and a unique terroir that lend themselves perfectly to growing a variety of different grapes, its landscapes are sown with rolling vineyards tangled with leafy vines that billow with fruit in late summer. A force to be reckoned with, its vintners proudly produce some of the best wines in not just the country, but the world - a fact we’re all too happy to receive.
Dubbed the “California of England”, Cornwall beckons to vino fans from near and far with a unique array of wine tasting experiences that are hard to resist. From wine tasting tours at fabulous vineyards to exclusive wine tasting sessions savoured from the comfort of your luxury retreat, there are all sorts of wonderful ways you can enjoy the fruits of the county. Ready to teach you your Seyval Blancs from your Chardonnays and create lasting memories, we’ve put together some of the best wine tasting experiences in Cornwall.
Camel Valley
For dreamy moments relishing beautiful views and exquisite flavours, a trip to Camel Valley Vineyard is heartily recommended. Established in 1989, this award-winning vineyard on the sun-soaked slopes of the Camel Valley has been producing world-class wines for years. They also have a whole string of awards and accolades to prove it, including an award for the ‘Best International Traditional Method Sparkling Wine' in the World Sparkling Wine Championships. For one of the best ways to enjoy Camel Valley’s wines, you can take part in a guided winery tour. Followed by a tasting session, you’ll be treated to a selection of wines from the vineyard to ignite your senses, including their best-selling Cornwall Brut. For a more laidback tasting experience, you can also head straight to Camel Valley’s alfresco terrace, where glasses of deliciousness and drops of tranquillity can be savoured alongside gorgeous views over the surrounding landscapes.
Cornish Wine Tasting
Cornish Wine Tasting offers the most perfect way to enjoy a private wine tasting experience in Cornwall without the inevitable worry about who’s going to be ‘designated driver’. Originally known as Cornish Wine Tours, Cornish Wine Tasting operates a unique service where you can sit back in your very own luxury abode and relax as the best Cornish wines are brought straight to your door. With award-winning Cornish wines from a number of local vineyards, nibbles, glassware and full guidance provided throughout, this unique wine tasting experience is absolutely perfect for those looking to sample the best tastes of the county with ease. And, if you want to repeat the experience, Cornish Wine Tasting promises world wine experiences too. Keep an eye on upcoming events or book your own private tasting session for an unmissable evening.
Trevibban Mill Vineyard
To channel your inner oenologist and sip some of the finest beverages in the region, head over to Trevibban Mill Vineyard. Only a stone’s throw from the picture-postcard fisherman’s cottages and polished eateries of Padstow, this award-winning vineyard is ideally located between rolling Cornish countryside and the rugged cliffs of the north coast. Planted with a manicured sprawl of vines and apple trees, and home to a resident flock of native English Southdown sheep, this halcyon bubble is the perfect place to go to taste delectable English wines and soak up the atmosphere. Depending on the occasion, guided tours and wine tasting experiences are available, so you can choose how much you want to see or do, or skip straight to the best bit and nurse glasses of your favourite Trevibban tipple. Part of the package, their wine tasting experiences also include a number of the estate’s ciders too.
Knightor Winery
If you’re already a firm fan of Cornish wines, then you may have heard of Knightor Winery. A fantastic winery set above St Austell Bay on the county’s sheltered south coast, Knightor sits within a bucolic tapestry of orchards and is supported by vineyards in Portscatho where ingredients for their spritz, still and sparkling wines are grown. A well-known name on the vino circuit, they offer a number of different tours at both the winery and vineyards. Running on select days from March to December, their wine tastings are particularly popular and invite you to sample red, white and rosé Cornish wines and discover some of the secrets behind the unique scents, flavours and nuances of each. For an extra drop of temptation, you can also try Knightor’s boldly flavoured vermouths, made from the finest grapes and aromatic blends of herbs and spices. Keep tabs on their tours, feasts, pop-ups and more for good times and great flavours in abundance.
Old Chapel Cellars
Ever wondered why wine seems to smell and taste like almost every fruit apart from, well, grapes? If you’d like to decipher your flavours from your finish, then a trip to Old Chapel Cellars in Truro is a must. An independent wine merchant in the historic city of Truro, Old Chapel Cellars is a haven for all things wine. This fabulous business is also the first wine merchant in the UK to become a registered B Corp. Running tastings each month, their line-up of events includes blind tastings and mouth-watering cheese and wine evenings which pair half a dozen cheeses with their perfect partner in wine. Discussing everything from fruit provenance to flavour profiles, their friendly and knowledgeable team create an inclusive, laidback environment in which to discover new wines and learn new tips and techniques. They also offer more advanced WSET courses for serious wine aficionados.
Polgoon
Wine tasting tours are a speciality at Polgoon Vineyard, a popular vineyard near Penzance producing artisan English wines, ciders and juices. Masterfully creating still and sparkling wines, the vineyard grows a variety of grapes including Bacchus, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Rondo and Pinot Précoce. If you’ve never been before, then a trip to Polgoon’s sunny vineyard overlooking the glistening sea of Mounts Bay should be atop your list. Here, vineyard tours and tastings await, ready to lead you through rows of flourishing vines and fruit-filled orchards. Running throughout the year, albeit at a slightly slower pace in winter, these tours make for a novel way to learn about local wines and sample some of their best-sellers, naturellement. Once you’ve picked your favourites, you can pop into their onsite shop to purchase a bottle or several, or take a seat on their outdoor café terrace in summer to bathe in the sunshine with a glass of something special.
Wild Wine School
If you’d like to take your understanding of Cornish and global wines to the next level, then Wild Wine School in Newquay may pique your attention. Working in partnership with vineyards across the county, this innovative school takes wine-lovers into the Great Outdoors to learn about wine from the root up. Exploring all aspects of sustainable viticulture, they employ a real hands-on approach to education and host workshops, courses and special events to expand mind and palate. And, to probably get your feet a little muddy in the process too. For wine tasting with a twist for the seasoned connoisseur, book a place on their introduction to wild wines course and get ready to learn about everything from lunar cycles to plant alchemy. Or, for something unique, arrange a private booking for a bespoke tasting experience.
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