Cornish Wine, Beer and Cider Tours
11 April 2024
One of the tours of Cornwall we offer takes in the best of Cornwall’s home-grown beverages. Thanks to the milder climate here we are able to grow and produce award winning wines, as well as every libation you can think of, from traditional cider to experimental gin.
We thought we would go into a little more detail about the great Cornish businesses we highlight on our tour, starting with the beautiful Camel Valley.
The location of Camel Valley is a treat in itself, rolling hills bathed in sunshine are the prefect site for a vineyard. However when you think England you don’t necessarily think wine, ex-RAF pilot Bob Lindo and his wife Anne wanted to change that. Their very first wine won a medal and the awards have kept coming ever since.
It’s a family business, with a second generation bringing their knowledge and love into the mix. Their wines are sold in Rick Stein’s restaurants, Fortnum and Masons in London and exported to far flung places such as Japan.
What will your tour look like, well imagine sitting on the terrace, sipping a glass refreshing wine, taking in the view and hearing about the process. Laid back and down to earth, the passion comes through. One we definitely recommend.
As well as Camel Valley we can drive you in comfort to two other of Cornwall’s vineyards, both award winning and with unique characters to enjoy.
Trevibban Mill Cornish Vineyards and Orchards is set in a stunning location, a summer day spent here is a delight. Close to Padstow, the working family farm happily grazes English Southdown sheep alongside orchards and vines. It’s a contemporary winery that holds sustainability and quality close to their hearts. Working with nature they produce outstanding wine, many organic and all worthy of a taste.
Our other winery on our tour is Knightor Winery which has two sites, one near St Austell, a popular location for weddings and one on the Roseland with a delicious restaurant. Knightor has a relaxed feel, they specialise in short run exclusive wines, vegan friendly and low in sulphates. They offer cocktail lessons and plenty of experiences to entice, this is an exciting business that’s not happy sitting still!
But it’s not all about wine, if cider and beer are more your tipple there are some fabulous places to sample and saunter around.
St Austell Brewery has been a fixture in Cornwall since 1851, from humble beginnings they now have 190 pubs, inns and hotels across the West Country. Still independent and family owned, pride shines through on the brewery tour. You can choose a sampling session or brewing experience of you want to understand how the Cornish favourites are made.
When you think of the West Country I must say cider does come to mind, Fowey Valley near historic Lostwithiel are artisans of the craft. Distilled from scratch, the focus is on quality ingredients. Their tour teaches you all about their cider, as well as how to create your own tipple and home, and how to craft gin!
Healy’s cider is a much larger affair, here they produce some very well known and loved drinks that you’ll taste all over the county and beyond. There is a cider museum on site so you can see how the process has evolved, and the journey, from ‘pip to pour’ as they say. There are options here when we visit, and something really for the whole family, with a vintage tractor ride to boot. A farm shop, restaurant and plenty of sampling is on offer.
If this has wet your appetite do get in touch to book our tour of Cornish wine, beer and cider. Being driven around in comfort surely is the best way to kick back, relax and not worry about having to drive home!
