Bob Lindo is the celebrated former RAF fighter pilot and the joint founder of the multi award winning English vineyard Camel Valley. Bob along with his wife Annie on their small family farm, 30 years ago started Camel Valley. Bob won the UK’s first sparkling wine Gold medal in the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in 2005 and has won many international Awards since and every national trophy at least once. Bob was awarded the IWC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 for ‘outstanding contribution in helping to drive the quality-focused rise of Britain’s home-grown sparkling wine’. Bob was awarded a second Lifetime Achievement Award in the South West Business Awards, the same year. Camel Valley has also won many tourism awards and the 2017 Cornwall sustainability trophy.
Camel valley has been served on numerous royal occasions and they were awarded a Royal Warrant in 2018 (the UK wine’s first), Bob is the Royal Warrant holder. Camel Valley is the only single vineyard to hold its own PDO, recognised by the EU.
Bob is proud of the fact that the Lindo family started the business in a small way and has enjoyed the journey of growing it, sustainably, over 30 years. Bob would be the first to acknowledge the role played, not only by Annie, but also by second generation and son, Sam Lindo.
Bob has also been Chair of the national UK Vineyard Association and son Sam has since followed in his father's footsteps.
Bob speaks openly throughout the interview and recalls many wonderful stories from his career.