When I decided to do a week of giveaways for my blog’s fifth birthday, I wanted to focus on the Cornish part of the blog’s relatively new name and celebrate some of my favourite local businesses. I made a list and aimed high, offering my promotional services whilst also seeing what they could offer readers.
Polgoon* has been a favourite Cornish brand of mine for a while now and is a staple when I go out – whether it’s an elderflower presse with lunch or a cider in the evening, you really can taste the difference. Their presse is sweet and smooth and much better than other local offerings.
The team responded to my blogaversay email with an offer to come along to a tour and taster, as well as sample some of their food beforehand.
Polgoon stands out amongst other similar businesses as you can simply drop by for a bite to eat. Situated on the Penzance by-pass, it’s easy to swing by on your way into or out of town. Menu options include fresh Newlyn crab sandwiches, a cheese board, Cornish charcuterie and scones with jam and cream (#jamfirst!). Luke and I shared a charcuterie, which came with a tasty homegrown salad.
The tour starts at the dining area – handy if you’re eating first. And I do recommend lining your stomach somewhat beforehand if you’re a massive lightweight like me! Luke went cray-cray and had a cider with his lunch, leaving him with a significant buzz when we left.
We started with a tour of the orchard where our guide explained that the site (a whopping 22 acres of land) was bought by the owners over a decade ago with no previous wine-making experience – in fact, they were fish merchants beforehand! And soon went on to win an award for their Rose. A few years later they added ciders and juices to their offering and the rest is history. They’ve now won multiple awards for their beverages – and it’s not hard to see/taste why.
The sheer amount of produce on site is incredible. There are trees and vines as far as the eye can see.
If you treat yourself to a tour (Tuesday-Saturday at 2-4pm, £10 per person, 18+), you’ll more than likely meet one of the gorgeous dogs – a springer spaniel and a black lab. They’re super-friendly and the spaniel loves a belly rub.
The team at Polgoon are truly incredible, doing literally everything on site – growing, harvesting, fermenting, bottling, selling, marketing… Some days they bottle 4,000 juices – by hand!
At the end of the tour there’s a tasting of five products; there’s a non-alcoholic option or you can sample some of their award-winning ciders and wines.
We were given a sheet to score the products and select our favourites. I learned a lot about tasting and appreciating wine, rather than just knocking it back! We assessed the appearance (colour), nose (aroma – give it a good swirl), taste and finish (how long you can appreciate the flavour after drinking).
We tried a sparkling cider (Raspberry Aval), two white wines (Bacchus and Ortega & Seyval Blanc – I preferred the latter), a Rose (Pinot Noir Rose – yum) and a red (Pinot Noir Rondo – super-yum!). I had a clear favourite – the Raspberry Aval (Cornish for apple), which I highly recommend for special occasions. I can think of a couple of people who’ll be getting a bottle for their birthday. The red was a close second and I’ll definitely be picking up some bottles for Christmas.
If you’re ever passing you should stop by the shop, which is packed with the best that Polgoon has to offer, along with some other local brands. I’m a sucker for all that beautiful packaging.
I’ve got a couple of tasty drinks to give away to readers too! One lucky winner will receive a bottle of elderflower presse (my fave non-alcoholic drink) and some super-tasty apple juice.
To be in with a chance of winning, just click on the Rafflecopter link below. This giveaway will close at midnight on Friday 28 July and the winner will be contacted directly. If they don’t respond within a week a new winner will be drawn. UK entrants only.
You can find the rest of my blogaversary giveaways here.
*Polgoon kindly offered us food and a tour in return for a review and a selection of drinks as a giveaway for readers.
Love elderflower especially in summer.
It’s definitely my favourite cider/wine/presse these days
sounds lovely, great blog post
I would love to try these, they sound delicious!
I’ve never heard of this company before, I’m on medication so I can’t drink alcohol, these drinks look brilliant
They’re Cornish and awesome! The elderflower is my favourite 🙂
These drinks sound great.