The price of a wine tour and two course lunch is a very reasonable £17.95 and for a tour with dinner it is £22.95.  These tours run throughout the growing season.  As part of the tour you can learn how to cultivate grapes, prune vines, are introduced to the basics of winemaking and taste a range of Knightor wines.  There are also tours with winemaker James Thomas for those looking for greater technical insight into the process.

Set in a venue that has the rustic charm of an historic granite farmstead in the Cornish countryside combined with the finest modern technology for making wine and serving it at the correct temperature and freshness, Knightor is both special and unique.  The perfect marriage of ‘new wines, old world’.   It is also a fantastic place to simply relax with a cup of coffee in the beautiful courtyard with family or friends or to host a full blown celebration. As a result Knightor is rapidly becoming known as an ideal venue for parties, weddings and corporate events.  

Situated near St Austell Bay, Knightor has succeeded in successfully combining the winery and restaurant to create a serious destination for both wine aficionados and food lovers.  Particular attention has been paid in the restaurant to the use of local Cornish produce with a Mediterranean twist, with dishes of immense flavour due to the freshness of the ingredients.  Lunches and dinners are paired with a tour of the winery.  It doesn’t matter whether you are a wine novice or hold a Master of Wine, much is still to be gained from a trip to Knightor.

Winemaker James Thomas has the same obsessive passion about wine found in the best of international winemakers.  This, coupled with time spent with industry leaders in Australia, allows him to blend his New World approach with classic European methods to produce exciting and fresh but complex wines.  He is meticulous about every detail.  This extends to the wine list he has created for Knightor’s on-site restaurant where he is realising his aim of having one of the most diverse and exciting lists in the country.  The most appealing, interesting international wines are served alongside the Knightor range. 

The Knightor wines are made using grapes from Knightor’s own Cornish vineyards at Portscatho and Seaton, as well as some grapes from other English growers who bring additional grape varieties to the table. 

The Knightor winery lies on the site of a former ancient manor house on the edge of ‘clay country’.  The two vineyards are almost equidistant from the winery and, in total, have approximately 17,000 vines, now six to seven years old.  The vineyards benefit from the milder Cornish weather, all be it still wet, which has helped winemaker James to develop a range of distinctively English, elegant, light and immensely drinkable still and sparkling wines – the epitome of refined English character.

The Knightor vineyards are situated on the South coast of Cornwall at Portscatho in the Roseland and Seaton near Looe, so they tend to get less hot and less cold than other vineyards and, therefore, are slightly less susceptible to frost.  All vines are on south facing slopes to ensure drainage and the area is also planted with natural windbreaks to add shelter from the coastal Cornish wind.  Knightor’s portfolio of wines is also available to buy through the website.

Knightor’s first wines include:

• Madeleine Angevine 2011: A delicate floral wine, with gooseberry and elderflower flavours
• Trevannion 2011: A blend of Siergerrebe, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.  A powerful aromatic wine, rich in fruit flavours
• First Vintage Rosé 2010: Produced in a limited 1,000 bottle run, this Provençal style Rosé is elegant, with gentle fruit making it the ideal summer wine to accompany a light lunch

“The Drum Design Awards is a platform to demonstrate to the world at large the contribution design makes in terms of building brands, so it was fantastic that our work for Cornish Orchards is recognised at this level. The competition this year was incredibly strong; a lot of great work by very good agencies, so to win was fantastic.”

The innovative and eye-catching cider box design fielded off stiff competition from a strong field, including other premium drinks producers, Clark’s Shoes and Coca-Cola.

“Bag-in-Box” cider has become the packaging of choice for many home and pub customers in recent years. The airtight technology means that each pint tastes as good as the first and stays fresh for up to 12 weeks.

Cornish Orchards has put together a 5 litre variety pack of their Farmhouse, Pear and Vintage Cider bag-in-boxes for their web customers and has a special price on their 20 litre bag-in-boxes available to trade customers until the end of June 2013.

For more information about CFD member Cornish Orchards or to purchase a cider box, visit www.cornishorchards.co.uk

As one of Skinner’s “original trailblazing golden ales”, described as a “refreshing, golden beer full of life with hops all the way through”, Cornish Knocker is named after the elfin spirits from Cornish folklore who lived down the mines.  They would guide the miners to the rich veins of copper and tin, whilst warning them of impending disasters with their ‘knocking’. It is said that Cornish miners would throw crusts from their pasties into the mine to keep on the right side of the Knockers.

As such, Cornish Knocker it is obviously the perfect partner for the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. By joining two distinctly Cornish brands, the mining landscape will benefit from the investment which will be used to protect & conserve this amazing global asset.

The partnership will be made official at this month’s Kernow Fest at Heartlands, a gateway to the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, on Sunday 26 May where Skinner’s will be pulling pints with an injection of Cornish spirit from a real-life Cornish Knocker character and the famous Betty Stoggs.

Silvia Lowe, Principal Officer of the RDPE-funded ‘Discover the Extraordinary’ Project for the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site said: “After a hard day of work down the mine, Cornish men would welcome relaxation with a pint of local ale at their local pub. Working with a local brewery is another way to continue to tell these stories of our mining heritage in an exciting and contemporary way.  We are thrilled to be working with Skinner’s Brewery and with their help and the support of those who love Cornish Knocker, we will be able to continue to protect our precious mining landscape which is of global significance.”

Steve Skinner, Chief Executive of Skinner’s Brewery, said:  “Cornish heritage is extremely important to me, so I am delighted to be able to support it through my business. The knockers were the protectors of the miners and our customers can now protect our mining landscape. Lovers of our Cornish Knocker can enjoy their pint down the pub knowing that every one that is consumed will be raising funds to preserve Cornish mining heritage for future generations to enjoy.”

Information regarding the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site can be seen on the Cornish Knocker pump clips on bars across the UK. There are also beer mats and posters which display a QR code so that patrons can find out more about the ten extraordinary areas which make up the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site across Cornwall and west Devon.

Donations to the Cornish Mining World Heritage site will also come from sales of casks of Cornish Knocker, so anyone looking to buy a barrel or two for their event can do their bit in supporting their county’s mining heritage.

To support the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, ask for Cornish Knocker at your local pub or order direct from Skinner’s.

Cornish Knocker won 2008 bronze CAMRA Champion Golden Ale of Great Britain and is Twice Supreme Champion Beer of the South West. At ABV 4.5% alc./vol, Cornish Knocker is one of Skinner’s original trail blazing golden ales.  Refreshing, full of life with hops all the way through, it is flowery and fruity with a clean and lasting malty, bittersweet finish. 

For more information on the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, please visit http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk.

For more information on Skinner’s Brewery please visit http://www.skinnersbrewery.com. 

European funding has already made a huge economic and social impact on businesses and residents in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – thanks to the Objective One Programme (2000-2006) and the present Convergence Programme (2007-2013) which is currently delivering transformational projects such as the rollout of superfast fibre optic broadband.

The new Programme, which will run from 2014-2020, will be part of an ‘EU Growth Programme’ financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF) with a contribution from European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

Aligning the priorities of the new programmes with the LEP’s Economic Growth Strategy will help fuel the scale of change needed if the area is to achieve long term sustainable growth in social, economic and environmental terms.  It is hoped that combining the twin prongs of strategy and funding will help businesses and organisations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to achieve their growth potential and create high quality career opportunities.

Chris Pomfret, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, said ‘The next round of funding comes at an exciting time for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Thanks to Objective One and Convergence we have heavily invested in both physical and knowledge based infrastructure so small and medium sized enterprises are now poised to take full advantage of the next Programme’s benefits.

“I would encourage everyone to engage with the consultation exercise so we can capture the widest range of opinions possible in shaping our proposals. We’re unlikely to see this kind of programme again and we need to make the most of it.  We are already home to a wide range of cutting edge investments; the LEP wants to send out the message that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is open for business, and that business is forward thinking and innovative.’

“Based on a sound assessment of our potential and coupled with the ingenuity of our top thinkers and achievers, we want to use this next EU programme to leave a truly inspiring legacy.”

The LEP and its partners will develop the Structural and Investment Fund Strategy through the summer to help inform national input to a partnership agreement.  As this will set out how the UK allocates its total allocation of Structural Funds, it is essential that it reflects what matters at a local level. The LEP is taking this time to fully consult the Cornish community by opening up the consultation to all sectors to get the broadest opinions possible.

Cornwall Council’s Interim Chief Executive Paul Masters said: ‘With the next Programme coming together we look forward to the LEP working with partners to showcase the region as an exemplar of how to make the most of European funding.  Cornwall Council is committed to thinking big.  Looking back just over the Convergence Programme with the infrastructure which has been built and the innovative business support programmes, it is important that businesses and organisations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are ready for the opportunities the new Programme will bring.’

A consultation exercise is open now until 30 June 2013; if you would like to take part in the consultation and for more background information please visit the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP website.

Four and a half years ago, Joe, who was working in a pub at the time, persuaded local farmer Stephen Medlicott to partner him in a venture to launch Penpont Brewery.  Together they converted one of Stephen’s redundant milking parlours for the purpose and Joe, whose trade is self-taught, quickly set about developing a new range of beers, becoming one of the country’s youngest brewers in the process.

Since then, Penpont Brewery has gone from strength to strength – winning SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) gold awards in 2011 and 2012 and, as well as supplying Cornish beer wholesale to all parts of the UK, exporting to both Canada and Russia. 

“I decided to do the beer sommelier course because I want to learn as much as I possibly can about all aspects of the industry,” said Joe.  “The additional knowledge and experience is already proving useful in helping us develop a new range of beers with assertive flavours that stand alone but also go well with food. It’s an exciting new phase in our growth strategy – adding niche products to our existing range.”

Penpont’s beers include An Howl which won a gold Taste of the West bottled beer award, Penpont Porter which won several awards at the SIBA South West Beer competition and Penpont Ginger Beer which won gold at the SIBA South West Festival.

For more information about CFD member Penpont Brewery, visit www.penpontbrewery.co.uk

The day will offer a variety of events and attractions including a ‘Back To School Sports Day’ Team Challenge, craft & food produce fayre, car boot, fun fair, dog and car shows, auction, refreshments, licenced bar and live music.

Organisers are currently taking bookings for stall holders in the food market. To book your stall please click here or call the fundraising team on 01726 66868 or complete the online application form.

On stage you’ll find top local chefs and producers sharing their secrets and demonstrating delicious recipes throughout the day. Learn about Cornish game with chef Tom Scade from The Mariners at Rock and Country Sports South West, or get to grips with Cornish pasty crimping with Elaine Ead of The Chough Bakery.

If you’re still hungry for more, you’ll find plenty of Cornish street food on offer at Cornwall Food & Drink LIVE too. Iain Shillito of the Blue Bus Catering Kitchen will be serving up delicious pulled pork flatbreads from his beautifully restored VW campervan all day, whilst Chris Perkins of the Cornish Venison Co. will be offering an array of game alternatives to the traditional BBQ fare hot off the griddle. Look out for the brand new Harding and Scoots Coffee company, who will be serving freshly ground coffee, roasted here in Cornwall, from their stylish Italian Piaggio. There’s also seriously good hot savoury pies from Grumpies and gourmet burgers from Blas Burgerworks, freshly made from delicious local Cornish ingredients – with so much on offer, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Fancy a tipple to quench your thirst?  Skinners Brewery will have something to tempt you at the festival bar in the Heartlands Visitor Centre, where you can sample a variety of their award winning ales. Skinners will also be announcing their new partnership with Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. From now on, 1p from each pint of Cornish Knocker sold will go towards protecting and preserving the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

Sponsored by Heartlands Charitable Trust, the Big Lottery Fund and Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, the event has a whole host of entertainment for the family to enjoy. With colourful dance and theatre performances, live music, face painting, bouncy castle, surf simulator, walk on water balls, a climbing wall and the fantastic Heartlands outdoor adventure playground, there will be something to keep everyone happy. Visitors can also enjoy traditional horse-drawn cart rides, Cornish craft workshops and full access to the Heartlands World Heritage Site Mining Exhibition and Diaspora Botanical Gardens and Park, where you can follow in the footsteps of the journeys made by Cornish miners.

Of course, food and drink will be plentiful into the evening too, both at the Cornwall Food & Drink LIVE marquee and the Heartlands’ atmospheric Red River Café, which will be serving wholesome local food, coffees and drinks at the bar throughout the day.

The day is set to end with a bang as a stunning firework display lights up the sky at 9.30pm. 

Jean-Michel Valette MW, DWWA 2013 Judge, says: “What the DWWA team has really done is to recruit a panel of the very best palates in the world to taste each wine, and so when a wine wins a Decanter Medal in this competition, it’s something to be truly proud of.”

No less than FIVE of Camel Valley’s wines received the prestigious silver award;

‘Cuvée Raymond’ is a sparkling rosé and world-renowned chef Raymond Blanc was filmed picking the grapes for it with the Lindo Family in his TV Christmas Special, after which he cooked a Christmas breakfast with Annie Lindo. Cuvée Raymond will be exclusively available only from the vineyard or from Le Manoir. 

A second Silver Medal went to Annie’s Anniversary, a sparkler with a unique story – made by Sam Lindo, 3 times UK Winemaker of the Year – with grapes from vines pruned exclusively by his Mum for 20 years, which was launched during filming for Caroline Quentin’s ‘Cornwall’ series.

Camel Valley’s 2010 Pinot Noir Brut featured as the birthday celebration wine on ‘Saturday Kitchen,’ then the Pinot Noir Rosé was filmed with Spice Girl Emma Bunton tasting and enjoying it on a subsequent edition of the same programme.

It’s not just Camel Valley’s fizzes that are winning awards – the Bacchus also won silver, and the 2012 grape harvest was filmed for ‘Hairy Bikers Best of British.’ Camel Valley also won Bronze for a further 2 wines.

Said founder Bob Lindo: “It’s wonderful for us not just to win the awards, but that we have a permanent record on film from Hairy Bikers, Raymond Blanc, Caroline Quentin and Saturday Kitchen. The icing on the cake is that Cuvée Raymond had already been tasted and liked by Raymond Blanc and head sommelier Arnaud Goubet at Le Manoir prior to the competition results, and will be featured on the two-Michelin starred restaurant’s wine list.”

Added Wine maker Sam Lindo: “As always it’s a joint effort and at Camel Valley we have a wonderful team, but best of all is that our unique Camel Valley style is recognised on an international stage.”

Chairman of the Decanter World Wine Awards, Steven Spurrier, says: “The DWWA has arrived at an authority, thanks to the judges, the organisation, thanks to the whole packaging. We’re here to recognise quality, that’s all we’re here for.” 

For more information about Camel Valley, visit www.camelvalley.com 

The festival, which took place on Sunday 19 May, was a free one-day event with a mixture of asparagus recipes, live cookery demonstrations, tasters, a special asparagus menu and plenty of Cornish food and drink on offer. The festival is about so much more than asparagus; the Food Market showcased everything from home grown veg and Cornish duck, to Cornish wine and clotted cream. Presented by BBC Radio Cornwall’s Daphne Skinnard and Tiffany Truscott the live cookery demonstrations were a real highlight of the festival.

Joe Lado Devesa, head chef at The Penventon Park Hotel, comments: “People came from far and wide to explore as much Cornish produce as they could manage. Local growers John and Jennie Keeler were happy to answer questions about asparagus and we had some fantastic chefs, including Tim Treseder, Arty Williams, Nigel Tabb and Mark Devonshire sharing the secrets behind their favourite recipes. It was fantastic to see the whole community coming together to meet the people behind the produce, celebrate and really connect with local food.”

For more information and asparagus recipes visit www.cornwallasparagusfestival.co.uk. 

“We use tremendous ingredients that have provenance and seasonality, have great suppliers locally and use interesting flavours. These elements combined allow us to showcase the fantastic Cornish produce that is on our doorstep.”

Fiona and her team use a number of local suppliers including Matthew Stevens and Son, Primrose Herd, Roddas, Hendy Fruit and Veg, Cornish Duck, B&N Farm Foods, Kernow Sausage Company, Kernow Sashimi and Hanson Fine Foods. The team also champion free range poultry and fish caught using ethical methods from sustainable sources.

As well as securing the AA 2 Rosettes the hotel increased its overall AA Four Star rating.

Paul Goodwin, Greenbank Hotel’s manager, said: “We’re incredibly proud and pleased for Fiona and her amazing team in the kitchen and the restaurant. They have worked incredibly hard to create a menu that that offers fantastic food to our wide range of customers, as well as being ethical and sustainable.

“The award is also great recognition for our restaurant team, who are out on the floor providing excellent customer service for our guests. I’d also like to congratulate the whole Greenbank team and the work they have done to increase our overall hotel four star rating.”

The Greenbank has just unveiled a new lunch menu and is currently relaunching its afternoon tea menu with gluten free, chocoholics, Champagne and children’s variations.

For more information please contact The Greenbank Hotel on 01326 312440 or visit www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk.