James' Review
If ever a winery was born with blue blood in its veins, Tolpuddle would have to be it. The vineyard was established in 1988 on a continuous downhill slope facing northeast; in '06 it won the inaugural Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year Award. Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw are joint managing directors. David LeMire looks after sales and marketing; Adam Wadewitz, one of Australia's brightest winemaking talents, is senior winemaker. Vineyard manager Carlos Souris loses nothing in comparison, with over 30 years of grapegrowing in Tasmania under his belt and an absolutely fearless approach to making a great vineyard even greater. Exports to the US, the UK, Canada, Denmark, China, Japan and Singapore.
About
Tolpuddle Vineyard is located in the Coal River Valley, about 20 minutes drive from Hobart, in Tasmania’s southeast. It’s 20 HA in size with equal plantings of mature (1988) Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines. Under the current owners, Martin Shaw, and Michael and Matthew Hill Smith, there is a firm commitment to respecting the site. They produce two single vineyard wines under the Tolpuddle Vineyard label; Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay and Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir.
The climate is at the cool extremes for viticulture in Australia. An anomaly for such a cool climate is that the rainfall is significantly lower than many of Australia’s other cool climate regions, reducing the risk of disease. The site itself is northeast facing. The soil is light silica over sandstone.
Tolpuddle Vineyard takes its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs; convicts sent to Australia for starting England’s first agrarian union. Forming part of the original property that group leader, George Loveless, was sentenced to work, is Tolpuddle Vineyard.
Details
| Rating |
|
| Winemaker |
Martin Shaw, Adam Wadewitz |
| Established |
1988 |
| Dozens |
1800 |
| Vineyards (area) |
20 ha |
| Opening Hours |
At Shaw + Smith |
| Address |
37 Back Tea Tree Road, Richmond, Tas, 7025
|
| Telephone |
(08) 8155 6003
|
| Website |
www.tolpuddlevineyard.com
|