Tamar Ridge

Located on the western banks of the Tamar River, 40 kilometres north of Launceston, the Kayena Vineyard is planted to a range of cool climate varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Employing state-of-the-art winemaking techniques, but with more than a few concessions to the traditional techniques that have served winemakers for centuries, our winemaking goal is to harness the pristine fruit characters the Kayena Vineyard produces, fashioning them into individual wine styles that speak of their cool origins.

The Kayena Vineyard range of wines offers pristine varietal definition, great purity of fruit character, and the refreshing acidity which is the hallmark of genuine cool climate wine. Only grapes grown, made and bottled at the Kayena Vineyard are selected for this range of wines. The Devil’s Corner is a section of the Tamar River near the Kayena Vineyard. It is a calm area of refuge for sailors away from the potentially wild waters of Whirlpool Reach to the south, and has been used as such for over 200 years. The Devil’s Corner wines are pure, crisp and refreshing, displaying vibrant fruit qualities and great drinkability. Wines to be savoured now rather than cellared.

Vineyards were first established in Tasmania during colonial settlement. Only in relatively recent years, however, has viticulture emerged in the beautiful Tamar Valley to forge a reputation for varietal and sparkling wines of the highest quality. In less than a decade Tamar Ridge Wines has established its own acclaimed success story as part of Tasmania’s modern wine industry. The first vines were planted at Tamar Ridge in 1994, and the first vintage was released five years later in 1999. The company continues to grow strongly and is today a leading producer of Tasmanian cool climate table wines with sales in every Australian state and a growing list of export markets.

Great wines are made in the vineyard and every effort is made at Tamar Ridge Wines to grow exceptional grapes. From the West Tamar vineyards, the focus on the varieties ideally suited to the region’s distinct viticultural landscape. Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are all grown on Scott Henry trellising which is favoured for its split-canopy design which allows maximum fruit exposure to the sun.

Wine quality is the primary objective, consistently achieved through attention to detail and control of the entire process from grape growing, through winemaking, packaging and marketing of the final wine. The result is wines of the highest quality that are certifiably 100% Tasmanian and reflect the natural variations that are engendered by climate, soil, topography and winemaking practices.

A variety of clones has been planted throughout the vineyard, with each block – and on occasion rows – managed individually to maximise fruit quality from the specific site. Our viticultural team takes a very ‘hands-on’ approach to the management of the vineyard with all vines hand-pruned and much of the harvest carried out by hand. The aim of all this effort is to produce grapes that display pristine fruit flavours, distinctive varietal character and a personality that allows our wine-makers to fashion quite individual wine styles.

CEO and Tamar Ridge's Chief Winemaker Andrew Pirie is one of Australia’s most respected winemakers, and has made significant contributions towards the current success of the Australian wine industry. Australia’s first PhD in Viticulture and founder of Pipers Brook, Dr Pirie has received national acclaim for his contributions to the Australian wine industry. In 2001 he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the Tasmanian wine and tourism industries. In recognition of his expertise and flair for innovation he was given the rare honour of being nominated as a finalist in the QANTAS/Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE 2002 and again 2003 Winemaker of the Year Award.