Bijou candlelit cellars and countryside vineyards
Gone are the days where wine bars were exclusively associated with the 80s and chintzy décor. Nowadays, their predecessors rival urban city hangouts and bridge the gap between traditional pubs and formal restaurants.
Menus are more likely to feature cocktails and beers, plus an array of local, regional and independent wines. While they may be more of a casual affair, to enjoy pre-supper or post-work, their food is tempting enough to secure a reservation. Think decadent cheeseboards, Spanish tapas and seafood small plates, accompanied by a glass or two.
With Dry January drawing to a close, we've rounded up a selection of wine bars to try in Cornwall, that are perfect for Valentine's Day dining or catch-ups with friends. From new openings to our long-standing favourites, our team are delighted to share eight recommendations for wine bars, vineyards, tours and tastings.
The Orgia, Falmouth
© The Orgia via Instagram
Nestled amongst Falmouth’s winding streets, independent bookshops and art galleries, The Orgia awaits just beyond a vibrant orange façade. Translating from Greek, "orgia" epitomises euphoria, dancing and wine, and their business captures just that.
Specialising in grape skin contact wine, aka orange wine, this bar is certainly one for the connoisseurs among you. Having also recently made a comeback from the 80s, orange wine is made the same way as white but with the skins left on, resulting in a full-bodied wine not too dissimilar to red. Though it doesn’t taste like oranges, the wine itself is delicious and pairs beautifully with aged cheeses and pasta dishes. Their menu features just that, with pasta-making nights taking place every month.
Note The Orgia is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but Tuesdays are for baked camembert, Wednesdays mean £6 glasses of orange wine and Fridays are for fondue. All the while, happy hour takes place every day.
Trevibban Mill, Padstow
© Trevibban Mill
A long-standing Concierge recommendation from our team, Trevibban Mill is an award-winning vineyard set amongst Padstow’s rolling countryside. For those visiting in early spring, we recommend booking one of their wine tastings to get the most out of your visit. Best enjoyed al fresco, the wraparound balcony provides an idyllic lookout over the vineyard and surrounding grassland.
Kicking things off with a glass of English fizz, you’ll delve into the world of Cornish wines with notes of green apple and lemon zest. Stay for lunch and share platters of excellently paired cheeses, artisan breads and cured meats, or keep it simple with a selection of salty bar snacks if it’s more of an afternoon affair. Their expert sommeliers are on hand to guide you through the flavour of notes of each of the five wines, rounding things off with a glass of Cicero – a rich red wine, named after the vineyard’s four-legged companion.
The Cellar, Charlestown
© The Cellar via Instagram
Sitting beneath The Longstore, The Cellar is Charlestown’s answer to laid back drinking and dining. Radiating a gentle ambience thanks to its candlelit tables, The Cellar is perfect for date nights or catch-ups with friends. They have a handful of tables for two with a couple of booths for larger groups. The fully stocked bar is complete with every shade of white, red, rose and orange wines, with their famous cocktails ready to tempt you too.
The Cellar also regularly host wine tastings with local sommeliers and winemakers taking the reins for the evening. Celebrating the wine regions of Spain, France, Britain and Italy, every evening begins with an introductory briefing as charcuterie boards are served alongside the first glasses of wine. Throughout the course of the evening, you’ll sample five wines with a sweet, dessert wine to round things off. If you’re feeling a little more peckish, you can order a few nibbles from The Longstore’s sharing menu – the wild mushroom arancini and crispy squid are a must.
Keep an eye on their socials for upcoming wine nights and Valentine’s Day events.
Plonk’d, Wadebridge
© Plonk'd via Instagram
Having opened their doors in September 2023, Plonk’d in Wadebridge is quickly becoming one of North Cornwall’s coolest bars. Not only is it visually striking with its dark green tiled bar, rustic wooden floors and hairpin tables, but their menu is also captivating, having taken inspiration from Spanish bars and restaurants. Their pintxos menu changes regularly, but expect zesty olives, crusty sourdough, Manchego cheese and salty anchovy dishes, perfect for sharing.
New to the game, they’re still settling into the groove of wine tasting evenings and live music events, but 2024 is set to be a good one. Stay tuned for their upcoming events over on Instagram and be sure to book into their first wine night post-dry January when they return to business in February.
BinTwo, Padstow
© BinTwo via Instagram
One of Padstow’s most sought-after establishments, this small, but perfectly formed wine bar encapsulates pre-dinner drinks at their best. Moments from the harbour, BinTwo can be found nestled behind the Mussel Shoal and is instantly recognisable for its reclaimed barrel tables and patio seating.
Starting off as a merchant, they’ve now diversified with a fully stocked coffee and wine bar, open daily from 11am. Stop by during a visit to Padstow, for a glass of icy white wine in the sunshine or retreat indoors once evening rolls around for candlelit drinks and nibbles, all before heading to your reservation at one of Padstow’s famous restaurants.
Rafferty’s, St Merryn
Having gained an enviable reputation over the years for great food, wine and service, this wine bar is somewhat of a destination in North Cornwall. Sitting amongst Cornwall’s Seven Bays, Rafferty’s in St Merryn is perfect for those holidaying in the area, with an a la carte menu well-suited to evening dining and celebratory events. Owned by Ed Rafferty, his cheffing experience hails from the likes of Rick Stein and Hugh Fearnely-Whittingstall, with the menu featuring classic fish and meat dishes, as well as tapas and nibbles for those just stopping off for a drink.
The Bottle, Newquay
© The Bottle via Instagram
Sister company to The Orgia, The Bottle is Newquay’s answer to informal wining and dining. Recreating the ambience of French wine bars while also showcasing the very best of Cornish suppliers, this bijou bar certainly earns its place as one of the best in the county. Keeping things eco and dog-friendly, it's perfect for those stopping off for a wine refill or quick glass of something post-beach walk.
Their drinks list is varied with the likes of orange wine, cocktails and champagnes willing to quench your thirst. Meanwhile, their food menu can be catered to all with simple bar snacks, sharing platters and seafood dishes to suit a late lunch, afternoon pit-stop or supper club. We recommend ordering a few plates to sample the best of their kitchen, in particular the shredded crab nachos, honey-topped camembert and baked heritage tomatoes.
Little Palais, St Ives
© Little Palais via Instagram
A bar and bottle shop on the edge of St Ives harbour, this beautiful little white brick building easily finds itself in our recommendations. Little Palais opens from Thursday to Saturday and is St Ives’ answer to delicious wine and small plate menus. Naturally, the bar itself enjoys an incredible ocean vista from its harbourfront position but its style is more akin to an East London hangout.
Their drinks offerings extend past just wine, with their chalkboard menus filled with cocktails, beers, ciders and fizz. Meanwhile, their daily food menu is enough of a reason to call by in itself, with freshly landed mackerel, spiced sardines and whole-baked Mont D’or ready to tempt you.
They also regularly host collabs with fellow local businesses. On Thursday nights, you may find their little bar alive with a vinyl night, Grale Frit may be popping by with a seasonal four-course menu courtesy of Cornwall’s land, sea and shores, or Joel from Penzance’s Roundhouse could be curating sweet dessert dishes on a sunny Sunday. Be sure to follow them on Instagram to keep up to date with their must-visit events.
Planning a post-Dry January getaway? Speak to our Property Advisory team on their recommendations on where to stay in or nearby to Falmouth, Padstow, Charlestown, St Merryn, Newquay and St Ives – and all within a short walk of excellent pubs, restaurants and of course, wine bars.
Image credits: The Orgia, The Cellar, Plonk’d, BinTwo, The Bottle and Little Palais all via Instagram. Trevibban Mill courtesy of Trevibban Mill (including header image).
Posted by Bethany Walton
Beth can usually be found on a Cornish beach or enjoying a swim in the sea. She has great insight about where to visit across the county, plus plenty of recommendations for finding the best Cornish ice cream.
