As summer fades and the Devon countryside is painted in rich russets, ambers, and golden hues, autumn brings with it a quiet yet powerful transformation. Late Summer and early Autumn is the season of harvest, a time to gather, reflect, and give thanks for nature’s abundance.
At Lympstone Manor, we embrace this autumnal change of season, and our seasonal menus fully express Michael Caines’ vision of Terroir Cuisine. Utilising the bounty of the Exe estuary and the outstanding larder of the South West, Michael’s cuisine reflects seasonality, a deep sense of place, regionality, and creativity.
This is one of the most exciting and rewarding times of year across our estate. In the vineyard, the grapes ripen under the softening autumn sun, ready for hand-picking in a celebration of all that has grown and matured through the year. Local producers bring us their freshest offerings – vibrant root vegetables, earthy greens, and rich late-summer fruits, game, shellfish, and artisan cheeses. All forming the inspiration behind our autumn menus.
Typically, we harvest our estate honey in August, a true labour of love from the bees who have busily foraged among the wildflowers, vineyard blossoms, and surrounding hedgerows throughout the warmer months. The honey is carefully extracted and filtered by hand. Whether drizzled over a dessert or paired with cheese, it captures the very essence of the estate in every spoonful.
To mark this moment, Michael Caines MBE and the kitchen team create autumn menus that reflect the bounty of the land and the rhythm of the seasons. Each dish is a celebration of carefully selected, locally sourced ingredients, crafted with precision and respect for their origins.
Our Harvest Celebratory Lunch, taking place on Saturday 4th October, marks the vineyard harvest. This special event is a chance to savour an alfresco BBQ, hosted by Michael Caines, to honour this year’s harvest and in the tradition of harvest festivals where communities celebrate together. The tradition of harvest festivals in the UK dates back centuries, when rural communities would gather to celebrate the end of the harvest, give thanks for the crops, and share in feasting and community. At Lympstone Manor, we bring this spirit to life with elegance, warmth, and a distinct sense of place.
This year’s celebration also holds extra meaning as we toast our recent accolades: a Silver Award for our Lympstone Manor Estate Gin and a Bronze Award for our Lympstone Manor Eau de Vie at the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) Awards, along with a Silver Medal for our 2022 Edwards Chardonnay at the recent WineGB Awards. We will also be unveiling the new release of our Cuvée NV, a sparkling moment of celebration from grape to glass.
As the nights draw in and autumn deepens, we also look forward to our Halloween Supper Club: Tales of the West Country, an atmospheric evening of food and folklore. Enjoy tall tales for the dark time of the year, when fires flicker, shadows creep across the land and magic fills the darkness. Storyteller Lisa Schneidau will enchant you with South West traditional stories from our moors, woods and coasts.
Whether you’re joining us for the Harvest Celebratory Lunch, the Halloween Supper Club or simply indulging in our autumn à la carte menus, we invite you to join with us this season and experience the true flavour of Devon in its most abundant and beautiful form.
Photo Credit: Emily Appleton South West Theatre Photography
Reserve your table now and join us this autumn to celebrate the season. Book your place at our Harvest Celebratory Lunch and the Halloween Supper Club.
Visit the Lympstone Manor Estate wine shop to browse our full range of estate wines, honey, and artisan products.
