Your successes have been really remarkable
I always hoped my wines would achieve recognition, and they have certainly done that. In 1999, the United Kingdom Vineyards Association awarded us the President’s Trophy for the best wine in any class, style or vintage. We also won the English Wine Producers Trophy in 2001, followed by two International Wine Challenge awards.

Our prestige sparkling wine, ‘Cornwall’, was used to mark the one-millionth visitor to the Eden Project, in the company of HRH Prince Charles, and at the stone-laying ceremony for the new Cornwall University, with HRH the Queen. The wine is also available on the wine list at the House of Lords.
Another rewarding accolade has been appearing in the ‘Rick Stein’s Food Heroes’ television programme. Camel Valley wines are also on the wine list at Rick’s famous seafood restaurant in Padstow.

Which award has given you the most satisfaction?
We have just won the Cornish Tourist Board’s Champion on the Year 2003 award, which is a great reflection of everyone’s work here. It’s a family affair.

How are the family involved?
My wife looks after approximately half of our 12,000 vines, and my son takes responsibility for bottling and much of the work after the wine is actually made. He has also done some fantastic work on the website.

Have you any goals left to achieve?
I have begun to write a monthly wine column for a regional magazine, and I have found that really enjoyable. I have also made some tentative enquiries about the possibility of acquiring a small parcel of vineyard in either the Loire Valley or the Champagne region, in France, although that particular venture may turn out to be a future challenge for my son to achieve.

Interview by Graham Sherwood

Camel Valley Vineyard is two miles from Bodmin, in Cornwall, and open all year round, 10am to 5pm.
www.camelvalley.com