Bear & Bird Wines
We've heard kids can drive you to drink. But giving them credit for an emerging wine brand. That is something else again. Alex and Josh Winen's two children – seventh generation Tasmanians – were only tiny tots when they acquired the nicknames Bear and Bird. Archy and Wren are the Bear and Bird.
The Winens' family wine project sprang to life with the purchase of 12ha of land and a home on White Kangaroo Road, Campania, in late 2015.
Wheat, oats and barley were grown hereabouts in the 1820s and 1830s. Nowadays, you'll find specialty crops, fruits and vegetables.
Bear & Bird's vineyard neighbours on White Kangaroo Road include 2forty9 Wine Farm, Bubb + Pooley, Frogmore Creek, Roslyn 1823 and Wobbly Boot.
Vines are well suited to the Coal River Valley's cool, maritime climate. The ripening season is characterised by long sunny days, chilly nights and a relatively dry autumn – just about ideal for vibrant, well-balanced ripe fruit.
The terroir here is dominated by black cracking clay, with mineral-rich alluvial deposits over Jurassic dolerite. Soils warm quickly and drain freely, allowing vines to develop fruit with concentrated aromas and flavours, and fine natural acidity.
Bear & Bird's first plantings came in 2017. Just 380 vines – five clones – totalling 0.1ha of Pinot Noir. Almost child's play.
Further additions of Pinot Noir – together with new Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris between 2020 and 2025 – have brought the total vineyard area to 5.5ha.
The Winens' farm is meticulously tended. Respect for the environment remains uppermost, keeping in mind its natural strengths and future needs.
Bear & Bird is one of only five Coal River Valley sites that is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.
The Winens make their own wines with the guiding hands of George Drew nearby.
Single site. Minimal intervention. Maximum care.
Bear & Bird on White Kangaroo Road. Bound for success.
Key details:
- Alex Winen: owner/vigneron
- Josh Winen: owner/vigneron
Vineyard/cellar door address:
234 White Kangaroo Road, Campania TAS 7026
Telephone:
+61 (0) 458 136 769
Email:
bearandbirdwines@gmail.com
Website:
www.bearandbirdwines.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites in the Coal River Valley highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Six Friends (MJT 15.9°C; 786 GDD); Pooley Cooinda Vale (MJT 16.8°C; 929 GDD); SISU (MJT 16.8°C; 929 GDD) figure among the coolest sites.
Richmond Park Estate and Strelley Farm Estate (both MJT 18.0°C; 1189 GDD) are considered to be among the warmest, along with Coal Valley Vineyard and Cross Rivulet Winery (both MJT 17.9°C; 1185 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 White Kangaroo Road, Campania, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 485mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 276mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 105mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.9°C
- Growing degree-days: 1169 GDD
- Average no of hot days (35°C or more) per year: 1
- Average no of cold days (minimum 4°C or less) Sept 1-April 30: 12
*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