Becoming More Resilient

The vineyard – owned and run by Holly Robbins and James Faulconbridge since 2020 – has a long- standing reputation as an idyllic spot to sip wine and marvel at the Caribbean-like views.

In the last couple of years the business has also been making its mark selling high-quality bottled beer.

Holly is the brewster (female brewer) and has the distinction of being the only person on the five inhabited Isles of Scilly currently making beer for sale.

And tasty beer it is too with evocative labels such as Ganilly and Menawethan – named after two smaller islands nearby – among the favourites which can be enjoyed at the vinery.

Holly’s brews are in high demand across the island – she supplies other outlets including the café next door, the pub and the fish and chip shop.

The business has been given a big boost by one of our Great Cornish Food small grants, enabling Holly and James to invest in a new brewing system and triple production.

Holly says: “That’s so good for us in so many ways because wine production is limited by the number of vines we have and by the variable weather.

“Producing beer as well as wine adds to what we have to offer our visitors and makes us far more resilient.

“This is critical when you operate on a small island. There are just the two of us and the grant helps us operate in a much more efficient way.”

Holly and James have backgrounds in ecology and agriculture. Sustainability and care for the environment run through their work and home life.

“It never feels too busy on the island,” says Holly. “By 5pm you can finish work and have the beach to yourself when the day visitors have gone.”