Cornish wine at Polgoon Vineyard and Orchard
Have you ever tried Cornish wine? Although we’d tried quite a few English sparkling wines from the south-east of England we’d never come across wine from Cornwall before so when we were in the area on our ‘Foodiemoon’ earlier this year we decided to pay a visit to Polgoon Vineyard and Orchard on the western edge of Penzance.
Just off the main A30 road, this hill, looking toward Lizard point, the mainland’s most southernly point, was once an old daffodil farm but has now adapted to become a Cornish vineyard. Think that British wines aren’t worth a sip? Then you really must try some wine from Polygon if you are in the area. Vineyard tours are open to the public and include a tasting of white, red and sparkling wines that they produce.
If wine isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Polgoon also have a Cornish cider called Aval (Cornish for ‘apple’), a sparkling cider product made using the Methode Traditionelle (the same process as Champagne), which includes a Raspberry Aval. Not forgetting the Polgoon range of fruity soft drinks, we saw this served in all the best places in Cornwall. ❤️
Shop
If you don’t have time for a tour, or you’re the designated driver then the site also has a shop where you can buy the full range as well as other goodies from other producers such as smoked gin, fruit liqueurs, craft beer, chocolate and souvenirs.
Vineyard Tour
But we did have time for a vineyard tour! These take place most days in summer and twice weekly in winter at 2pm. The summer tour takes around 90 minutes and includes a wander around the orchard and vineyard. Here we learnt about the history of the site and how it progressed to where it is today.
A look behind the scenes at the wine tanks is included too, and of course some wine tasting at the end.🍷 My favourite being the sparking elderflower, which was sweet, fruity and refreshing.
Food
Lunch is also available in an outdoor area. The menu did look tasty…choose from charcuterie platters to crab sandwiches or special Newlyn fish ‘dish of the day’. If only we weren’t still full from breakfast and lunch at nearby Chapel House and Mount Haven!
Where
Polgoon Vineyard and Orchard
Rosehill
Penzance
Cornwall
TR20 8TE
Opening Hours and costs
Summer tours last 90 minutes and cost £12.50
Winter tours last 60 minutes and cost £10
Children go free
Visit their website for further information or to book: https://www.polgoon.com/vineyard-tour-tastings/ or email tours@polgoon.co.uk or call 07787 297 380
Disclaimer: we received a complimentary tour but made sure to buy plenty of bottles to take home with us!