When ex-RAF pilot Bob Lindo and his wife Annie planted their first eight thousand vines in 1989, they never dreamed of the phenomenal success they would achieve within 2 decades. They had bought their farm in the heart of the Cornish countryside several years earlier, seeking a change from service life and the perfect place to bring up their young family, and initially farmed sheep and cattle. Each summer they watched the grass turn brown on the sun-drenched slopes of the Camel Valley, and wondered if vines might enjoy such an aspect.
Bob ‘did a vintage’ in Germany and both took viticulture courses and read every vine and wine book they could find. They built a winery and equipped it with the finest equipment they could afford. Annie is the first to admit the early years weren’t easy: ‘We practically lived in the vineyard, doing all the work by hand, and when it came to harvest time it was just us and a few friends for picking, then Bob would stay up all night crushing the grapes. But we loved it, always striving for perfection in the vineyard and the winery, and then we won a medal in the national English Wine competition for our first wine, so we knew we were doing something right.’
And now the second generation winemaker is hard at work at Camel Valley. Sam Lindo, a maths graduate who had seemed destined for a career in the city, instead decided to make his life in Cornwall and returned to the family farm, where he had grown up, in 2002. He has now taken over as Winemaker, with a little help from Dad now and again, and in 2007 won ‘UK Winemaker of the Year Award, as well as the Wine of the Year Trophy, and Sparkling Wine Trophy in the UK Vineyards annual competition for English wines judged solely by Masters of Wine.’ Sam retained the coveted ‘Vintners Trophy’ for the best UK English sparkling wine and another 3 Trophies in 2008. More awards followed over the years, with Camel Valley wines consistently winning medals at both national and international level including the following accolades from the International Wine Awards 2026:
A gold for Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rose Brut, 2023 (which incidentally won gold for the 2022 last year)
A silver for Camel Valley Cornwall Brut Reserve, 2023
A silver for Darnibole Bacchus, 2023
Check out their numerous Awards here.
Opening Times
Open Year Round Monday To Friday, Including Bank Holidays
CLOSED Saturday’s & Sunday’s
Wine Sales
The shop is open for bottle and case sales 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday
Wine by the glass
Wine by the glass is available on the sun terrace (or indoors) 10am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday. They are now offering table service only. Please visit their website to make a booking.
Guided Tours
Guided tours take place daily at 10.30am Mon – Fri.
Evening Grand Tours are held every Wednesday evening at 5.00pm between May and September.
Please visit their website to check availability and make a booking.
The Vineyard is also accessible via The Camel Trail, approximately 3 miles by cycle or walking from Wadebridge.
Sorry no dogs except guide dogs.
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