Our Cornwall Vineyard
Our
Cornish climate
Shillingham’s south-facing fields roll their way to the historic tidal shores of the River Lynher, just a few miles from the sea. This creates a unique micro-climate with little frost and a very early Spring. It is not long after Christmas that the buds swell, days lengthen, and the first narcissi start to flower.
We aren’t the first to conceive a vineyard in this quiet corner of East Cornwall. Rewind to 1604 when Richard Carew of Antony published “A Survey of Cornwall”. Having previously travelled across Europe on an anthropological tour of discovery, he returned home and mused why nobody had tried to grow vines on the shores of the Lynher as its climate and soil seemed perfectly suited.
Well, here we are… just 500 years late.
A vineyard moving with the tide and times
A vineyard moving with the tide and times
Grape varieties
Shillingham’s rich soils and unique climate is home to five grape variates: pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot meunier, and pinot gris. Our grapes enable us to produce a variety of delicious wines, perfectly crafted from each years harvest.
PINOT NOIR | CHARDONNAY | SAUVIGNON BLANC | PINOT MEUNIER | PINOR GRIS
Our ecosystem:
distinctive wines influenced by the flora & fauna of Cornwall
Shillingham is home to a wonderful variety of flora and fauna which we strive to protect. From the wildflowers that cover the woodland floors, to the birds that sing amongst the vines and forage the foreshore, Shillingham is a hub of restless activity and everchanging beauty.
The idyllic
foreshore
Shillingham’s foreshore is an internationally recognised haven for wading birds, the River Lynher has an ever-changing population of Oyster Catchers, Redshank, Greenshank, Egrets, Spoonbills, Avocet and Golden Plover. Then we have the legions of Mallard, Shell Duck, Teal and Wigeon.
But our unashamed favourite is the beautiful Curlew. Shillingham has a nationally significant population of permanent and migratory Curlew. This mystical, enigmatic bird with its haunting call is our proud emblem and the sound of our vineyard.
A safe
haven
Recognising its importance, we carry out regular surveys on behalf of the British Trust for Ornithology monitoring the number of birds on Shillingham’s foreshore. The data gathered from these surveys is an important factor in the planning and implementation of migratory bird conservation.
Since the planting of the vines and assembly of their trellising, we have seen a surge in the numbers of birds which call Shillingham their home. We endeavour to continue growing this population.
Our planting
ethos
The vineyard is an opportunity to enhance and support nature and diversity on the farm. We have travelled far and wide to look at how we might improve and nurture the soil, encourage sustainable and renewable planting, and further help our wildlife.
This year we have started experimenting with flower, legume and cereal mixes on our headlands and alleys. Combining traditional techniques with modern scientific farming discoveries, we aim to eliminate artificial soil nutrients.
Our wildlife
