Our Vineyard
A Viticultural Sweet Spot
Taking its name from the shillet stone that enriches our soils, Shillingham Vineyard lies just three miles from the open coast. Our south-facing slopes overlook the River Lynher, where salt and fresh water meet - creating an enviable microclimate that experts have likened to Eastern Tasmania.
Here, sunlight bounces off the water while persistent coastal breezes keep humidity low, naturally protecting our vines. Our shillet- and loam-rich, free-draining soils dry quickly after Cornwall’s notorious rains, encouraging roots to grow deep and strong.
Together, it makes this corner of England’s South West a veritable viticultural sweet spot - one we’re very proud to call home.
Championing Cornish Sauvignon Blanc
Our vibrant maritime climate is ideal for five carefully selected varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
While each thrives in our soils, we’re championing Sauvignon Blanc - with 13,000 vines already in the ground - because we believe Cornwall is capable of producing world-class expressions of this noble varietal.
Pinot Meunier
A particularly vigorous grower in our fertile loamy soil, Pinot Meunier has adapted well to Cornish life. It will play a key part in our sparkling and rosé production.
Pinot Gris
Our Pinot Gris occupy a stretch of land known historically as ‘Deer Park’, with fantastic views over the Lynher estuary. With 8,000 vines across the vineyard, Pinot Gris will provide us with both sparkling and aromatic still wines.
Pinot Noir
It has a prominent place at Shillingham, with 20,000 of the variety planted. We hope to use our Pinot Noir to make light bodied still red wines, refreshing rosé and traditional method sparkling wines.
Chardonnay
An outbreak of mildew will rear its head in the Chardonnay first! Depending on each vintage, the Chardonnay will make a variety of refreshing, dry white wines and sparkling blanc de blanc, as well as provide a vital component to our classic sparkling blends.
Sauvignon Blanc
We aim to produce a unique Sauvignon Blanc which exhibits many of the traditional characteristics associated with this variety, whilst reflecting our own unique terroir.
Our Approach
We're proud to say every grape in our wines comes directly from our land - nothing brought in, nothing blended away. From vineyard to bottle, we oversee every step of the process, ensuring each vintage represents not just us, but this specific patch of Cornwall.
We're growing from the ground up, building our first bonded storehouse this year and releasing our inaugural vintages.
The Foreshore:
A Shared Habitat
Shillingham’s foreshore is a living, breathing ecosystem where wading birds and wildlife flourish. Curlews (our unashamed favourites), oystercatchers, avocets and spoonbills navigate the Lynher estuary, while mallards, shelducks, teal and wigeon create a constant backdrop of movement and sound.
We partner with the British Trust for Ornithology, conducting regular surveys that help protect these populations. What’s surprised even us? Since planting our vines and setting up their trellises, we've seen bird populations boom – a welcome sign that our vineyard is enhancing rather than disrupting this delicate balance.
Farming Smarter, Not Harder
While Shillingham has always been farmland, our approach is all about evolution and working with what the land gives us. Our vineyard is a buzzing part of a lively ecosystem where healthy soils build resilient vines and encourage biodiversity.
Between our rows, we're experimenting with cover crops – flower, legume and cereal mixes that naturally regenerate soil without artificial nutrients. Mixing classic methods with cutting-edge agricultural science, we're on track to ditch artificial soil nutrients and build a landscape that's productive, resilient and future-ready.
Meet The Ramsden Siblings
Born from Cornwall’s rich farming heritage, Shillingham Vineyard is a bold departure from tradition. Once an arable and livestock farm, it has been reimagined as a thriving vineyard. Embracing innovation and honouring tradition, we cultivate with the bold spirit of Cornwall.
