Bangor Vineyard Shed

The historic Bangor property is located at Dunalley in the south-east corner of Tasmania, where seven generations of the Dunbabin family have managed this striking coastal landscape, carefully balancing farming and conservation.

Its wine chapter began in 2010 after Matt and Vanessa Dunbabin – former plant scientists with PhDs – recognised Bangor's untapped potential for cool-climate wines. Together, they rolled up their sleeves and established 3ha of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir on the 6200ha property.

North-facing, the vineyard is a mix of free-draining clay-loam over Jurassic dolerite, with traces of ancient sandstone gravels. Cooling sea breezes from nearby Blackman Bay moderate canopy temperatures and extend berry ripening to build flavour and preserve fresh natural acidity.

Previously acclaimed as Australian Farmer of the Year and Diversification Farmer of the Year – both awarded in 2005 – Matt and Vanessa Dunbabin took to grape-growing like a duck to water. The property's first Chardonnay (2013) won a trophy at the 2015 Tasmanian Wine Show. In 2016, Bangor was named Best New Winery by the Halliday Wine Companion, then promptly elevated to five-star status in the following year.

Now 8ha, the vineyard continues to produce award winners, including equal top score for their 2024 Abel Tasman Pinot Noir at the 2025 Australian Pinot Noir Challenge, and Best Pinot Gris at the 2024 Australian Cool Climate Wine Show. 

Indeed, 2024 demonstrated the vineyard's successes are shared across many varieties and price points. The 2022 Bangor Abel Tasman Pinot Noir and 2022 Captain Spotswood Pinot Noir both won gold medals at the Tasmanian Wine Show that year. 

At the 2023 Tasmanian Wine Show, the 2016 Bangor Vintage Sparkling and 2020 Bangor Abel Tasman Pinot Noir were the gold medal winners.

Visiting the vineyard isn't all about wine. Bangor has demonstrated remarkable long-term commitment to caring for the environment and its wildlife. The property includes significant areas of native forests, conservation reserves and wetlands, providing essential habitats for myriad furred and feathered creatures. Active involvement in conservation programs includes a leading role in the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program being undertaken in the Tasman District.

Operation of a warm and welcoming cellar door/restaurant over the past decade has received considerable acclaim. In 2023 and 2024, Bangor Vineyard Shed won gold in the Australian Tourism Awards. It was also inducted into the Tasmanian Tourism Hall of Fame in 2024, after topping the 'Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries' category in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Some shed.

Key details:

• Matt Dunbabin: owner/operator
• Vanessa Dunbabin: owner/operator
• Liam McElhinney: chief winemaker, Tasmanian Vintners

Vineyard/cellar door address:

20 Blackman Bay Rd, Dunalley TAS 7177

Telephone:

+61 (3) 6253 5558

Email:

• General enquiries: info@bangorshed.com.au
• Functions and events: functions@bangorshed.com.au

Website:

www.bangorshed.com.au

Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.

Climate data* for sites on the East Coast highlight the wide range of growing conditions here. Consider: Saltwater River Wines (MJT 16.0°C; 859 GDD) and Sterling Heights (MJT 18.3°C; 1267 GDD).

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 Blackman Bay Road, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 739mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 413mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 176mm
• Mean January temperature: 16.4°C
• Growing degree-days: 916 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: 10

*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: May 2026