Tasmania: Pinot Noir from the island with latitude
Tasmania, a small island south of mainland Australia, is home to dramatic mountains, national parks and sweeping bays of crystal-clear water. It’s a pretty spectacular backdrop to some of Australia’s best wine, food and cultural experiences.
Vines were first planted in the early 1800s, but with much of the wine spotlight on Australia’s mainland, things didn’t really kick off until the 1950s. Tasmania’s wine production may be small, producing less than 1% of Australia’s annual wine, but it contributes more than 4% of its total value, achieving some of the highest premiums for its wine and wine grapes.
Tasmania is a single wine region (Geographical Indication), with seven distinct and diverse wine growing areas. The climate is cool by latitude, not altitude, and the weather is highly variable. The island is buffeted by winds from all directions and can battle with rain and frosts. This high-risk environment brings great reward and diversity when it comes to the island’s wines.
From third-generation stalwarts to first-generation pioneers, Tasmania’s winemakers are embracing the region’s cool climate and expressing the unique character and terroirs of the island with some diverse and delicious wines. Many grape varieties are now found in Tasmania, with producers constantly innovating and experimenting. But Pinot Noir is the star, representing almost half of the island’s plantings for both still and sparkling wine.
Dip your toes and taste buds into the wonderful world of Tassie Pinot Noir. Explore the island’s exciting Pinot Noir scene with winemakers Peter Caldwell (Dalrymple Vineyards), Jeremy Dineen (Josef Chromy Wines) and Rebecca Duffy (Holm Oak Vineyards).
The winemakers share their experiences in the vineyard and winery as well as their perspectives on the region and the wines. Find out what’s special about Tasmania and why it’s such a hotspot (or rather cool spot!) for Pinot Noir. Discover the opportunities and challenges working with this grape variety, what the winemakers are learning and how they’re adapting.
During the webinar Peter, Jeremy and Rebecca taste wines from Josef Chromy Wines, Dalrymple Vineyards, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tamar Ridge, Holm Oak Vineyards and Sailor Seeks Horse, and discuss what makes each distinctively Tasmanian.
Speakers
Jeremy Dineen
After studying winemaking at the University of South Australia’s Roseworthy campus, and deciding he was never going to make it as a bass guitarist, Jeremy Dineen completed numerous vintages across Australia before returning to Tasmania. Once home, Jeremy continued his exploration of Tasmanian viticulture during five vintages at Hood Wines in southern Tasmania with as many as 38 vineyards under his care. He also supported development of the broader Tasmanian wine sector with voluntary state-wide Board and technical committee roles. Jeremy was handpicked by Josef Chromy to lead his namesake business from its establishment in 2005. Jeremy has gained a reputation for his pristine wine style. He aims for wines that are eminently drinkable, producing an outrageously popular Pinot Gris, aromatic and fruit-driven Pinot Noir and cultivating a sparkling ‘house style’ that is delicate and crisp.
Peter Caldwell
Pete was born in New South Wales and raised in Tasmania. A Tasmanian sheep farmer by birth, the mystery that turns grapes into wine hooked him early. With a keen interest in science he pursued a degree in this field, but after a season in a Pipers River vineyard he was inspired to study winemaking and viticulture at Roseworthy College in South Australia.
He intended to return to Tasmania after completing his studies, but peers pointed him abroad. He spent almost two decades in Burgundy, Bordeaux, California and New Zealand. It was meeting his wife in France, followed by two children, which pointed him back south to Pipers River where he settled at Dalrymple Vineyards. Pinot Noir has always been Pete’s passion – the most difficult grape to grow, the most difficult wine to make well. The most satisfying of victories. In his 10 years at Dalrymple Vineyards, Pete has not only expanded vineyard plantings by fifty per cent, he has also rejuvenated Dalrymple’s winemaking operations and established the property’s own insectarium. Pete is passionate about producing modern, stylish table wines, including single site Pinot Noirs from the Coal River Valley, East Coast (Swansea) and Derwent Valley (Ouse).
Rebecca Duffy
Rebecca Duffy completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science majoring in Oenology at the University of Adelaide in 1998. Following the completion of her degree, Bec worked vintages in McLaren Vale, Napa Valley and Coonawarra, before securing a fulltime winemaking position at Capel Vale in Western Australia where she spent five years. Bec returned to Tasmania in 2006 and has been the co-owner and winemaker at Holm Oak Vineyards for the past 10 years. Over this time she and her husband Tim have established Holm Oak as one of Tasmania’s leading family owned wine brands. In 2015 Bec was the inaugural winner of the Owner/Operator award in the Australian Women in Wine Awards, and was named as one of WBMs 50 stars of 2015; and in 2016 Bec was named the Tasmanian winner of the RIRDC Rural Women’s Awards.
Contact
For more information about this webinar, please email camilla.coste@wineaustralia.com
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