An unintended detour led to my discovery of a romantic and unexpected landscape deep in the Cornish countryside.

Last autumn, Mr Word Loft and I planned to meet up at Forder to go for an afternoon walk. Inadvertently, I drove right past him. But backtracking on my extended, unnecessary route, I discovered places along the lanes, including fields that appeared to be part of a vineyard.

It became a source of conversation, and an acquaintance verified that it is indeed a vineyard where they do voluntary work, helping with the care of vines on the estate.

Mr Word Loft added the spot to one of his longer treks and was full of enthusiasm on his return. So this week, we visited Shillingham Vineyards as the highlight of an outing over hills and dales around the banks of the River Lynher with my sister and brother-in-law.

We started at Churchtown Farm, leading through to Antony Passage with views of Trematon Castle along the way. Familiar locations to Mr Word Loft and me as we had explored the nature reserve and hamlet at the beginning of the year. And in summer, the route is even more beautiful with its colour-burst of wildflowers and insects flitting between blooms.

The sun’s heat was intense, but the main purpose of our day was worth tramping up grassy paths. At last, the vineyard came into sight, the lines of plants’ leaves verdant and shiny. A fenced-off public footpath runs through the centre, giving the feeling of being amongst the grape-bearing climbers. Long grasses fringe the well-tended land. I was delighted to see numerous butterflies, mainly Red Admirals, their fluttering crimson and black wings sprinkling the scene with mystique.

I found out that until 2021, the vineyard was originally arable and livestock farmland,  but due to climate change, conventional farming became more difficult. Wine production seemed to make sense, and the earth was replanted with 70,000 Vitis vinifera.

From the top, the outlook is spectacular. Rows of rich vines lattice the foreground with the River Lynher flowing behind. It was hard to believe we weren’t abroad in a Mediterranean country. Like all good holidays, they should be spent enjoying a delicious glass of crisp, cool white wine.

So that evening we did.

Cheers!

Until next time,
Sue. X

Other blog posts about the area that you might like to read: ‘Pretty as a Picture’ and ‘A Magical Landscape‘.