Altaness
Few places flatter to deceive like modern wineries. With all that high-tech equipment and gleaming stainless steel, they're quick to promote the view that winemaking is a manufacturing process. Nothing could be further from the truth, say former South Australian winemakers Duncan Ferguson and Susana Fernandez.
It's the choice of a site and the quality of its viticulture that really determine a wine's ultimate quality.
The Huon Valley couple speak from experience. After years spent working in Europe – and almost two decades developing and operating their 4.5ha Cascabel Vineyard in McLaren Vale – they sold up in 2015 and headed south to start afresh.
Their patchwork quilt of big bold South Australian reds - woven from southern Rhone and Spanish varieties - may have garnered critical acclaim and a legion of adoring fans but it left them feeling suffocated professionally. Their move to Lymington - 60km south of Hobart - was driven by a desire to work more closely with nature, to contribute to Tasmania's emerging reputation for world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Altaness was planted in 2016 with a singular purpose. To produce savoury wines with perfume and elegance. Handcrafted, minimally-handled wines that reflect true cool-climate origins.
The 1.5ha vineyard sits on gentle slopes of ancient Permian mudstone and sandstone, overlaid with silty loams. The site retains moisture yet drains freely, fundamental requirements for balanced vine growth. Add in a cool maritime climate with long ripening seasons and the result is fruit with vibrant acidity, intensity of flavour, and aromatic complexity.
These are still early days for Altaness. For the time being, estate production is being supplemented with fruit from neighbouring vineyards of varying aspect, elevation and microclimate. But the benefits are not just economies of scale. There are opportunities for insight and refinement.
The wine is in the grape.
Key details:
- Duncan Ferguson: vigneron
- Susana Fernandez: vigneron
Vineyard/cellar door address:
10 Haltons Road, Lymington TAS 7109
Cellar door only open by appointment. Refer to website for details.
Telephone:
- Duncan Ferguson: +61 (0) 417 824 325
- Susana Fernandez: +61 (0) 417 800 092
Email:
altanesswinery@gmail.com
Website:
www.altaness.com
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites in the Huon Valley/D'Entrecasteaux Channel highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Nandroya, Two Bud Spur (both MJT 14.8°C; 622 GDD) and Bruny Island Premium Wines (MJT 15.4°C; 747 GDD) appear to be the coolest sites south of Hobart.
Tinderbox Vineyard (MJT 17.3°C; 1088 GDD) and Trial Bay Estate (MJT 17.1°C; 1044 GDD) are the warmest.
Vineyard sites on the Australian mainland are far warmer than those in Tasmania.
South Australia's Piccadilly Valley* (MJT 20.4°C; 1730 GDD) and Macedon Ranges* (MJT 19.9°C; 1365 GDD) in Victoria are regarded as the coolest GIs in their respective States.
Climate data* for Haltons Road 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 895mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 452mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 195mm
- Mean January temperature: 15.8°C
- Growing degree-days: 782 GDD
- Average no of hot days (35°C or more) per year: 0
- Average no of cold days (minimum 4°C or less) Sept 1-April 30: 26
*Source: My Climate View, utilising past data from the Bureau of Meteorology and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Funded by the Australian Government.
Last page update: January 2026