St. Martin's Vineyard

St Martin's Vineyard: The UK's Most South-Westerly Winery on the Isles of Scilly

Perched on south-facing slopes a stone's throw from the dunes of Par Beach on the island of St Martin's in the Isles of Scilly, St Martin's Vineyard is one of the most south-westerly vineyards in the entire United Kingdom - and, in the words of Countryfile Magazine in 2022, "perhaps the most idyllic spot in Britain to raise a glass and toast the view." Surrounded by bluebell-studded woodland, songbird-filled hedges and a carpet of rare arable wildflowers, this tiny 2.5-acre coastal vineyard has been producing island-made wines since the year 2000, with everything from grape to glass happening right there within a five-acre site that also houses a granite byre winery, a nano-brewery, two shepherd's huts and a visitor tasting room.

This article covers the history, terroir, wines, beers, tours, accommodation and sustainability story of St Martin's Vineyard - a small but meticulously run English wine producer that has won awards at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2024 and the Cornwall Sustainability Awards 2024, where it was named Most Sustainable Small Business.

Where Is St Martin's Vineyard?

The vineyard lies on the small inhabited island of St Martin's, part of the Isles of Scilly archipelago that sits 28 miles south-west of Land's End, Cornwall. To reach it, visitors travel via St Mary's - by the Scillonian III passenger ferry, by helicopter from Penzance, or by plane from Land's End, Exeter or Newquay - and then transfer to a small inter-island boat for the short hop across to St Martin's quay. From Lower Town Quay on St Martin's, the route winds east along the road through Middle Town and up into Higher Town, before turning downhill through an elm-arched track to the beach. From Higher Town Quay, turn right and follow the sandy track past Pool Green cricket pitch with Par Beach on the right; the vineyard is the next turn-off to the left, just past Adam's Fish & Chips and Little Arthur's Café.

The full postal address is St Martin's Vineyard and Winery, Higher Town, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, TR25 0QL. Day trips from St Mary's run regularly through the summer months, and while day trips from the mainland are possible, the team recommends staying for at least a few days to really experience the island.

A Brief History: From Flower Farm to Award-Winning Vineyard

The story of St Martin's Vineyard begins not with grapes, but with daffodils. The land was originally a flower farm run by Derek Perkins, whose father had worked the fields since the 1920s. Flower growing had been a key industry on Scilly since 1879, when an enterprising islander first sent boxes of wild narcissi to the traders at Covent Garden market. By 1950 there were around 90 family-owned flower farms on the islands; today there are fewer, but the heritage of cut-flower cultivation is still woven into the landscape - and into the vineyard itself.

The First Plantings, 1996

In 1996, Derek's daughter Val and her husband Graham Thomas planted the first trial vines on a south-facing field of the family farm. The original varieties were Reichensteiner and Madeleine Angevine, both white grapes suited to cool maritime climates, and the vines were established with help from their son James - who has since gone on to run his own organic vineyard in Australia. The first commercial crop was devoured in its entirety by the vineyard's resident songbird population in 1999, but netting and persistence paid off, and in 2000 the very first Scillonian vintage was bottled - a modest 124 bottles from the trial field.

Building a Winery

For the first few years, the grapes were sent across to a mainland winery for processing. As yields grew, the old stone cattle barn on the farm was converted into a bonded winery in 2003; its thick granite walls provide excellent year-round temperature stability for fermentation, and it remains the heart of the operation today. In 2012 a new shop and tasting room was built to accommodate the growing number of visitors, and the vineyard quickly became a popular stop on the island's tourist trail.

A New Generation: Holly & James Take Over

After 22 years of dedicated work, Val and Graham decided in 2018 that the time had come to pass the secateurs to a new generation of custodians. They didn't have to look far: Holly Robbins and James Faulconbridge, both with backgrounds in ecology and agriculture, fell in love with the vineyard on a visit in 2018 and - after a chance conversation - made the life-changing decision to leave the landlocked Midlands and move to St Martin's in February 2020. They took on the formal guardianship of the vineyard and have continued to be guided by Val and Graham's decades of practical know-how.

Since taking over, Holly and James have steered the vineyard on a fast-tracked journey towards full organic certification, installed a solar array and battery storage, switched to entirely fossil-fuel-free site management, built two hand-crafted shepherd's huts, launched a micro-brewery, and converted the vineyard into a carbon-negative operation. The results have been recognised across the South West: Highly Commended at the 2022 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Sustainability Awards, finalists in two categories at the 2024 Cornwall Tourism Awards, and winners of Most Sustainable Small Business at the 2024 Cornwall Sustainability Awards.

The Vineyard Site: Terroir on the Edge of the Atlantic

Soils, Slope and Aspect

The vineyard sits on predominantly granite soils - a legacy of Scilly's geological origins - covering just over one hectare (2.5 acres) of south-facing slopes. The aspect gives the vines maximum exposure to the low-arc sunshine, while the maritime climate moderates temperatures and extends the growing season well beyond what mainland vines enjoy. Sea breezes off the Atlantic, just 100 metres from the vines across the dunes of Par Beach, keep fungal pressure low and help concentrate flavours in the grapes.

Wind-breaks and Field Structure

One of the most distinctive features of the site is the dense network of evergreen wind-breaks - locally called "fences" - that split the vineyard into small, intimate fields. Originally planted to shelter Derek's delicate cut flowers from Atlantic gales, these 6 - 8 m hedges are now a defining landscape feature. The dominant species is pittosporum, a New Zealand native beloved by bumblebees in spring, with escallonia, fuchsia and elm as minor companions. Each block of vines sits in its own sheltered microclimate, and the largest field contains only around 380 vines, creating the kind of crop-hedgerow interplay that has all but vanished from modern industrial farmland.

Polytunnels

Around 10% of the vines are grown under four polytunnels. These provide crucial extra warmth and protection for the later-ripening varieties and guarantee at least some fruit even in a poor summer. The polytunnels also house the Regent grape and the Madelaine Angevine in the Top Tunnel.

Training System

All vines are trained on a traditional post-and-wire system using the Double Guyot method. Winter pruning involves laying down two canes from the previous year to produce grapes for the season ahead while creating two spurs for the following year's production - a labour-intensive but high-quality approach that concentrates the vine's energy into a small number of well-positioned bunches.

Grape Varieties: Eleven Different Wines from a Single Small Site

Eleven grape varieties are planted across the 2.5-acre site, the majority of German or northern French origin - chosen because they come from latitudes similar to Scilly and ripen reliably in the cool, sun-drenched maritime climate.

White Varieties

• Reichensteiner - A German white variety that was the very first planting in 1996; the original vines are still producing. Lacks the acidity of some other varieties and is principally used in blending for the Reserve.
• Madeleine Angevine - A French variety with early ripening that grows in the Top Tunnel; well suited to the English climate.
• Orion - The most widely planted variety on the vineyard; a German white wine grape (a 1964 cross of Optima and Villard Blanc). Regularly bottled as a single-variety wine.
• Seyval Blanc - The second most abundant variety, of French origin. Produces wines with characteristic citrus and mineral notes; a popular half-bottle serve at the neighbouring Adam's Fish & Chip shop.
• Siegerrebe - German variety with intense aromas reminiscent of Gewürztraminer; usually used in blending but also bottled as a single-varietal.
• Chardonnay, Triomphe d'Alsace, Schönburger - Small plantings retained for blending interest after earlier trials.

Red and Rosé Varieties

• Rondo - The principal red variety, producing a smooth, fruit-driven wine that ripens beautifully in long Scillonian summers.
• Pinot Meunier - Used in rosé and red blends; also makes a delicate single-variety red.
• Regent - Grown under one of the polytunnels; a key component of the St Martin's Rosé.
• Black Hamburg - A traditional dessert grape from a 100-year-old vine on the island; contributes a splash to the unique rosé blend.

Varieties That Didn't Make It

Earlier trials of Findling and Solaris were removed after a few years when they proved unsuited to the site. Today, every variety on the vineyard earns its place.

The Wines of St Martin's Vineyard

All wines are made on-site in the granite winery from fruit grown within a two-minute walk of the press. Bottles are not currently available by mail order, but can be tasted at the vineyard as part of a tasting flight, by the glass, or purchased by the bottle (subject to availability) from the on-site shop.

Reserve (2020 Vintage) - £22.50

An easy-drinking off-dry white with a soft blush colour from ruby-red Siegerrebe grapes. Tropical notes of passion fruit, apricot and lychee make this an excellent partner for Asian flavours and spicier dishes. ABV 11%.

Dry White (2020 Vintage) - £20.00

Primarily Orion with a hint of Madeleine Angevine, this is an elegant, light and crisp floral dry white with citrus and green-apple flavours and a smooth, clean finish. Pairs beautifully with cheese and Italian cuisine. ABV 11%.

Rosé (2020 Vintage) - £24.00

A truly unique wine crafted primarily from Regent with a splash of Black Hamburg from a century-old island vine. The nose is floral with hints of strawberry and caramel; the palate shows bold black cherry and almond with a crisp, light body. Best enjoyed chilled on a summer's day. ABV 10%.

Red (2020 Vintage) - £25.00

A smooth, fruit-driven single-variety Rondo with plenty of juicy dark fruit and a long, elegant finish. The flavour profile continues to develop as the wine matures - an excellent accompaniment to hearty dishes, Sunday lunch or a mushroom wellington. ABV 11%.

St Martin's Red 2018 (Limited Release) - £38.00

Just 20 bottles were set aside from the celebrated 2018 vintage - a summer of perfect ripening conditions on Scilly. A blend of Rondo, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this rich, full-bodied red was the star seller featured in James Martin's Islands to Highlands TV series. Forest fruits and almond with a subtle, spicy finish. ABV 12%.

Seyval Blanc - £16.00

A well-balanced, fruit-driven single-varietal with fresh citrus, lemon and russet apple flavours. The nose shows aniseed, liquorice, black cherry and almond. Pairs perfectly with cheese and Italian dishes. ABV 11%.

Orion - £15.00

The single-variety Orion is well-rounded and easy drinking, with rhubarb and aniseed on the nose followed by hints of banana and crisp citrus-kiwi freshness. A great match for Mediterranean food. ABV 10%.

St Martin's Rosé - £15.50

An original blend of Black Hamburg and Regent - light, floral and bursting with summer fruit. Crisp, light-bodied and ideal on a warm summer's day. ABV 10%.

Wines are available to taste and purchase at the on-site shop during opening hours.

Tours & Tastings at St Martin's Vineyard

St Martin's Vineyard offers one of the most intimate visitor experiences of any English winery. Tours are self-guided, allowing visitors to explore the vineyard at their own pace while learning about viticulture, wine-making, wildlife and the history of the site.

Opening Hours & Season

The vineyard is typically open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during the season (April to October). Confirmed opening times for the week ahead are announced every Saturday, and visitors are advised to check the latest schedule before they travel. No booking is required - simply turn up during opening hours and you'll be welcomed at the visitor centre. Occasionally the team has to vary hours to accommodate bad weather, so always check the latest times before visiting.

The Self-Guided Vine Trail

The Vine Trail takes you around the vineyard through nine interpretive stops, from the lower slopes - where Reichensteiner vines have been growing since Easter 1996 - up to the top of the vineyard with its sweeping views over the Eastern Isles. A free guidebook accompanies the trail, with a dedicated page for each stop, and additional interpretation boards dive deeper into the wildflowers, birdlife, insects, regenerative agriculture and wine-making. Visitors typically spend anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour on the trail - go at your own pace.

Pricing is straightforward and excellent value:

• Self-guided tour + tasting flight combined: £12.00 per person (under 16s free)
• Vineyard Trail only OR Tasting Flight only: £6.00 per person

Tasting Flights

Choose between a tasting flight of St Martin's wines or St Martin's Beers - all produced within the 5-acre site, from grape to glass (or grain to glass). Wines served on flights in 2025 are a combination of the 2022 and 2023 vintages. Wines can also be enjoyed by the glass, alongside the vineyard's own ciders and micro-batch beers.

The Woodland Walk

Just as passionate about wildlife as wine, the team has created a beautiful Woodland Walk that leaves the vine rows and climbs up through an elm copse dotted with bluebells, red campion and spring daffodils. The path emerges into a wilder area of bracken and bramble with stunning views of the Daymark and Eastern Isles, then loops back through the newly planted orchard to rejoin the main vineyard trail.

Gift Vouchers

For £12.00 a gift voucher is available for a self-guided tour plus tasting flight, valid during the season between April and October. Vouchers can be personalised with a free message and emailed directly to the recipient, with multi-person options covering any number of guests.

The Shop: A Boozy Farm Shop

St Martin's Vineyard shop - the team likes to call it a "boozy Farm Shop" - is open throughout the season during the same hours as tours and tastings. Stock varies depending on availability and harvest, but it typically includes:

• St Martin's wines (red, white, rosé, Reserve)
• Micro-batch craft beers from the on-site nano-brewery
• Vineyard ciders
• Hand-pressed island apple juice
• Apple cider vinegar
• Scillonian Shrub
• Liqueurs

Glass bottles for apple juice and other products are cleaned, sterilised and re-used on-site - there's even a drop-off point at the vineyard gate for bottle returns. What is on the shelves varies with the season and harvest.

St Martin's Brewery: The UK's Most South-Westerly Brewery

The vineyard is also home to what the team describe as the UK's most south-westerly brewery and tap room. Each batch is just 140 litres in size, meaning every brew is unique and - with only around 100 bottles per brew - collecting them becomes something of a treasure hunt. The beers are named after the Eastern Isles visible from the top of the vineyard.

Two six-pack selections are currently available to order (subject to stock):

• Nornour (Golden Ale) - A classic light, easy-drinking golden ale with gentle hop bittering. Named after the Eastern Isle whose name means "facing the mainland." £25.00 per 6-pack of 440ml cans.
• Mixed Case - 3× Nornour (Golden Ale) and 3× Ganilly (American Cream Ale, the best-seller). £25.00 per 6-pack of 440ml cans.

Beer is shipped via Royal Mail (UK only) at £4.95 per box. Orders are processed within 48 hours and aim to be dispatched within 3 - 5 working days, though Scilly's unique island logistics - boat, plane and then onward travel - can occasionally extend delivery in poor weather.

Shepherd's Hut Accommodation on the Vineyard

For a truly unique vineyard stay, the team built two hand-crafted shepherd's huts from scratch in a quiet, sheltered corner of the vineyard - the former lavender field - surrounded by high evergreen hedges and just a few minutes' walk from Par Beach. The huts are arguably the only vineyard accommodation in the UK where you can be paddling in the sea within three minutes of leaving your front door.

Designed for Comfort

After visiting many shepherd's huts to gather ideas, Holly and James built theirs slightly wider than usual, so there's no clambering over each other to reach the spacious double bed. Each hut includes:

• A full-spec kitchen with oven/microwave, induction hob, fridge/freezer, sink, kettle, toaster, cafetière and toast rack
• A full-size, mains-pressure shower room
• Underfloor heating for chilly autumn mornings
• A compost toilet (Swedish design - no woodchips, no smells)
• WiFi (included)
• Private outdoor space with picnic bench, BBQ and sun loungers
• An outdoor wardrobe for wetsuits and outdoor gear

Sustainability Built In

All power for the huts comes from renewable sources - primarily the vineyard's own solar array and battery storage, with any shortfall topped up from a renewables-only energy tariff. Hand-made pottery, plates, bowls and mugs by island artists (Ty Van Den Berg at Thrown.By Ty, Inga at Ingart and cups/vases by Caroline Gillett) add a distinctly Scillonian flavour.

Booking Information

Key booking rules:

• Maximum occupancy: 2 adults only (no children, no pets - assistance dogs are welcome)
• Bookings run exclusively Saturday to Saturday, in 7-night blocks (up to a maximum of 28 days)
• Check-in 4:00 pm, check-out 10:00 am
• A non-refundable reservation fee of £150 secures the booking; the remaining balance is due 28 days before arrival
• Payment by bank transfer or cheque only (no debit/credit cards)
• 2027 bookings open at the end of the 2026 season, with early access offered through the vineyard's mailing list

Luggage transport to and from the quay is included, and full terms and conditions apply. Bookings are taken by phone, email or bank transfer.

Sustainability & Biodiversity: A Carbon-Negative Vineyard

Sustainability isn't a marketing line at St Martin's Vineyard - it's embedded in every management decision. The site has been calculated to be carbon negative: in 2022, total emissions from the vineyard, winery, visitor area, shop and shepherd's huts were approximately 1.5 tonnes of CO2, offset by 15 tonnes of CO2 sequestered on-site through regenerative management.

Fossil-Fuel-Free Management

In autumn 2022, the team completed the switch to entirely fossil-fuel-free site management - from mowing the grassland and cutting 2 km of hedging to all the day-to-day tasks of moving materials and equipment. Battery-powered machinery has replaced every petrol tool.

Renewables

A solar array with battery storage, installed in 2021, powers the vineyard operation and the two shepherd's huts approximately 75% from the vineyard's own renewables through the summer, with the remainder from a renewables-only tariff.

Regenerative Agriculture

Since 2020, all artificial inputs have been removed. There are now zero pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilisers used on the vineyard. Compost made on-site and seaweed mulches are applied in winter, and the team operates a zero-till policy with constant cover by native wildflowers. Conventional vineyard management can involve 10 - 12 fungicide sprays a year; here, the only intervention is a manually applied contact spray of potassium bicarbonate to individual vines in the rare cases it is required - a substance that has no systemic action and does not harm insects or soil organisms, unlike the copper and sulphur typically used in organic systems.

Water, Bottles & Zero-Burn

A 33,000-litre gravity-fed water collection system harvests rainwater from the roofs of all buildings for irrigation, preserving Scilly's precious groundwater. 100% of beer and cider bottles are recycled, as are around 90% of wine bottles and 50% of apple juice bottles - cleaned and sterilised on-site with the help of a TEVI-supported bottle washer. The team operates a zero-burn policy, chipping all vine and hedge arisings on an electric chipper and composting them back into the soil to sequester carbon.

Habitat Work

Two traditional orchards have been planted using local fruit varieties including the endemic Scilly Pearl apple; 20 bat and bird boxes were installed in spring 2022; and an area of coastal grassland has been restored through cut-and-collect techniques. The team has recorded over 130 plant species on the vineyard to date.

Biodiversity Highlights

St Martin's Vineyard is a haven for wildlife including rare arable flora (the small-flowered catchfly, a red-list endangered species; hairy bird's foot trefoil; Jersey cudweed; scarlet pimpernel), the Scilly shrew - an insectivorous species found only on the Isles of Scilly, Jersey and Sark - common pipistrelle bats, swallows, songbirds (thrushes, blackbirds, dunnock, house sparrows, goldfinches) and a wide variety of butterflies and pollinators. James Faulconbridge, the resident ecologist, shares updates on social media as @StMartinsEcologist.

The Island of St Martin's

St Martin's is one of the five inhabited islands in the Isles of Scilly archipelago (along with 140 smaller uninhabited islands), home to a small but incredibly friendly community of around 140 people. The island is just under one square mile in size, but offers remarkable contrasts: in the south, Par Beach and Great Bay are wide expanses of soft white sand lapped by clear turquoise waters that could give the Caribbean a run for its money; up north, walks to the Daymark or across the causeway to White Island reveal wilder heathland habitats and rocky cliffs dropping to the Atlantic below.

Where to Eat on St Martin's

The vineyard sits in excellent culinary company. Little Arthur's Café and Adam's Fish & Chips are right next door, both growing, harvesting, catching, cooking and serving everything on offer. Up in Higher Town, the Island Bakery makes delicious home-made bread, pasties and pastries; the Polreath Tea Room serves excellent lunches and runs regular curry evenings. Down in Lower Town, the Seven Stones Inn has easily the best beer-garden views in the country. For fine dining, the Karma resort offers a bar and restaurant with stunning westerly views.

Other Island Producers & Suppliers

• Scilly Organics & Scillonian Fayre - delicious seasonal fruit and veg
• SC Dogs - premium rum and vodka distilled on the island
• SC Salt - island-made sea salt
• Churchtown Farm - fresh Scilly flowers, mail order available

Beyond the Beach

St Martin's is a walker's and wildlife lover's paradise, with seven miles of wildflower-studded coastline where seals bob just offshore. Scilly Seal Snorkelling, based on Par Beach just over the dunes from the vineyard, takes visitors out to swim with inquisitive local seals. St Martin's Watersports offers kayak and paddle-board hire, and the SeaQuest glass-bottomed boat lets you explore the submarine scenery without getting wet. The island's low light pollution and clear sea air make for some of the darkest night skies in the UK - the COSMOS community observatory, with two pulsar domes and a solar scope, welcomes visitors through summer. Dark Skies Week at the beginning of October is a highlight of the stargazing calendar.

St Martin's also has a thriving arts and crafts scene - jewellery by Fay Page in Lower Town, paintings, prints and pottery at North Farm Gallery, the new Middle Town Barn Cooperative, and Scilly-inspired clothing by Scilly Billy.

Visiting St Martin's Vineyard: Practical Information

Accessibility

The main vineyard tasting area and the lower portions of the vineyard tour are accessible to the mobility scooters available on the island and to pushchairs. The terrain is uneven in places, and not all sections of the Woodland Walk are suitable for those with limited mobility - but the Vineyard Tour Booklet offers alternative routes that avoid steps and steep slopes, and the team is happy to advise on arrival.

Children & Dogs

Children under 16 visit free but must be accompanied by an adult. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the vineyard - partly for their own safety (hops grown for the brewery are toxic to dogs), and partly to protect the vineyard cats and neighbouring livestock. Please clear up after your dog.

Toilets & Weather

There is a toilet on site for patrons; the nearest public toilets are about five minutes' walk along the track at Higher Town Quay. All seating is outdoors, with covered areas for inclement weather - waterproofs are recommended in case of showers.

How to Get in Touch

• Email: stmartinsvineyard@gmail.com
• Phone: 07936 710 262 (general) / 07910 504 978 (accommodation)
• Address: St Martin's Vineyard and Winery, Higher Town, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, TR25 0QL

St Martin's Vineyard is active on Facebook and Instagram, and James the ecologist shares seasonal updates and wildlife sightings on Twitter at @StMartinsEcologist.

Why St Martin's Vineyard Matters

St Martin's Vineyard is a rare thing in English wine: a complete, vertically integrated, single-site producer where every drop of wine - and every pint of beer - comes from a 5-acre patch of land 28 miles out into the Atlantic. From a chance conversation in 2018, Holly and James have built a carbon-negative, biodiversity-rich, award-winning vineyard that is simultaneously the oldest on the Isles of Scilly, one of the most south-westerly in Britain, and a flagship example of how small English vineyards can lead the way on sustainability. Whether you come for a tasting flight on a summer afternoon, stay a week in one of the shepherd's huts, or simply raise a glass of St Martin's Red to the view from your sofa - you are tasting a place quite unlike anywhere else in the UK.