Tolpuddle Vineyard

Brand Description

Tolpuddle Vineyard is an outstanding vineyard established in 1988 and takes its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th century agricultural laborers, some of whom were transported to Tasmania as convicts to work on a farm in the Coal River Valley, part of which is now Tolpuddle Vineyard. Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW purchased the vineyard in 2011 and now make two wines – Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay and Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir. They believe Tolpuddle is one of Australia’s great single vineyards, with plantings of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir.

Location of Vineyard

Located about 20 minutes drive from Hobart, in Tasmania’s southeast, the Coal River Valley has established a reputation for growing exceptional quality grapes. With a climate at the cool extremes for viticulture in Australia, it is no surprise that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir perform so splendidly. An anomaly for such a cool climate, the rainfall is significantly lower than many of Australia’s other cool climate regions, with an average of approximately 500mm of rain per year. This cool but relatively dry climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly in autumn, without the disease pressure that heavy rainfall can bring. The vineyard is planted with mature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, facing northeast and sloping gently up from Back Tea Tree Road. The soil is light silica over sandstone and of moderate vigor, ensuring well-balanced vines producing grapes of great flavor and intensity.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

Tolpuddle Vineyard has a unique, strong, and expressive character. Commitment in the vineyard, with an emphasis on working by hand, augments the site’s natural character at its best, while also ensuring that the best from each set of vintage conditions are captured in the wines. The wines are made in a respectful way, using traditional, low intervention winemaking methods.

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Winery Profile
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Acclaim
A warm and drier than average season has resulted in richer and more intense flavours of stone fruit, ginger flower and preserved lemon. More complexity and depth from winemaking inputs such as whole-bunch pressed and fermentation in French oak with lees stirring throughout a 9 month period. Yet this never feels besieged, as the natural acidity glides across the palate reining everything in. A pleasure to drink. — acclaim for 2016 Tolpuddle Chardonnay from James Halliday, Mar 2025
Deeply perfumed and floral, with aromas of wild blackberries, mulberry bush, violets and wet bark. The palate is finely tuned with seamless tannins, bright acidity and a creamy texture, giving notes of dark cherries, graphite, boysenberries, spices and rose petals. High tension with a savory edge. Incredibly well balanced. — acclaim for 2023 Tolpuddle Pinot Noir from James Suckling, Jan 2025
Sophisticated and polished aromas of flint, stone fruit, lemon curd and beeswax. The palate is medium-bodied with a creamy texture that is cut through with a laser-like acidity, giving notes of grapefruit rind, shortbread, orange blossoms and chalk. Exceptional poise and balance with underlying tension coming from a cool vintage. — acclaim for 2023 Tolpuddle Chardonnay from James Suckling, Feb 2025
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