Cornwall Life: August 2019 61S
itting on the terrace
at Camel Valley,
overlooking the
vines, sipping a glass
of internationally-acclaimed
sparkling wine - this is how a
day with Cornish Wine Tours
typically starts. For those with
an interest in the world of wine,
or anyone who simply enjoys a
tasting experience, there can
be no better way to explore
Cornwall’s multifaceted wine
scene than a tour led by Kate
McBurnie, who’s excursions
began last year and have already
won numerous accolades.
Having visited several wine
regions herself over the years,
Kate had an epiphany on
returning to her home in Padstow
after one such trip: Cornwall has
all the attractions of places like
Marlborough in New Zealand,
or the Cape Winelands in South
Africa, so why not start operating
tours here?
Kate committed herself
wholeheartedly to the project,
supplementing her existing
wine knowledge with intensive
study and hands-on winery work
experience. Cornish Wine Tours
was launched last year, and
Kate now runs a busy schedule
of full and half-day tours
between March and October.
Her programme includes
other events such as wine and
theatre evenings - visiting
Polgoon Vineyard & Orchard
and the Minack Theatre in West
Cornwall), brewery tours and
collaborations with some of
Cornwall’s most celebrated hotels
and restaurants.
Kate’s determination to bring
a unique, high quality new
experience led to her being
named New Business of the
Year at the South West Tourism
Awards 2019. Robin Barker,
who presided at the awards for
Services For Tourism, described
the tours as an “unmissable
Cornish summer experience
which showcases the best the
county has to offer”.
In the peaceful courtyard at
Knightor Winery, tour guests
gain further insight into what
characterises Cornwall’s terroir- the unique combination of
soil, climate and wine-making
traditions which creates an
imprint of regional identity. In the
historic wine centres of Europe,
FOOD & DRINK