Puddleduck Vineyard

Puddleduck is nestled in the Coal River Valley, just a 20-minute drive from Hobart and only a 5-minute drive to the historic township of Richmond and its much-loved bridge.

A boutique family-owned and operated vineyard and winery, established in 1997 by Darren and Jackie Brown. After leaving school at the end of grade 10, Darren signed up to undertake a pre-vocational course in horticulture. In his second year, Darren's instructor told him that Moorilla Estate at Berriedale were looking for someone to help in the vineyard, so he went in for a chat and started the very next day. This is where Darren's love of vines and all things 'winey' started. He was trained up under the watchful eye of Claudio and Julian Alcorso. After completing her studies at Drysdale Hospitality college in Hobart, Jackie started working at the vineyard/restaurant at Moorilla Estate. It was here that her love of fine Tasmanian wine began; as did her love of a certain Vineyard Manager and Assistant Winemaker. A decade on and with new owners at Moorilla, Darren moved to the Coal River Valley to manage Craigow Vineyard and soon fell in love with the area. Jackie followed Darren to Craigow and started work managing the new cellar door. It was 1996 and as newlyweds, Darren and Jackie decided to purchase a property just 5 minutes down the road from work to call home. It was a blank canvas with a house in a paddock. It seemed like a good idea to put in a dam for water, and soon after, plant a vineyard. Darren and Jackie dreamed that one day they might have their own cellar door. They had no idea what to call it, but they knew something would one day inspire them. Fast forward to August 2003 and their first wine is bottled - a Sauvignon Blanc, but there was still no name to put on the label. One afternoon Darren and Jackie were sitting by the dam when the ducks started duck diving. Puddleduck was born... and so was the first label.