Sailor Seeks Horse

Located in the Huon Valley, Australia's southernmost municipality and coolest wine region, this vineyard sits right on the edge of viticultural possibility.

After meeting in London, the founders went to France, worked vintage in the Languedoc with three different producers and with the romantic idea of vineyards and winemaking. They then signed up to study winemaking and viticulture in Margaret River in Australia. Gilli did the degree and Paul did the post-grad diploma with the goal of creating the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyard in Australia. Four years later and having worked in Margaret River, Oregon and New Zealand with some great producers they headed to Tasmania. After scouring the state, they decided on the Huon Valley. Neither too dry nor too wet, too warm nor too cold and with two of the most awarded vineyards in Tasmania. Within a few weeks of arriving, they stumbled upon a dilapidated 6.5ha vineyard, planted in 2005 and then walked away from. Opportunity beckoned. NE-facing slope, sheltered from the prevailing cold south-westerly and planted to six different clones of Pinot. It was eventually purchased and now hosts the long-awaited winery. The fruit is usually picked in the latter half of April, which is late for Tasmania but the long, mild days of autumn and the cold nights ensure we achieve flavour ripeness at low alcohol levels and retain the essence of all long-lived Pinot Noir, acidity.