By Chance Wines
The world is awash with wine. And with more than 2100 wineries doing business in Australia, simply naming a venture has its challenges. When Michael Belbin and Julie Lupia decided to take on a 2ha vineyard in the Coal River Valley to produce a wine label of their own, they found the name 'By Chance' hadn't been taken. So, you guessed it.
The couple say their new By Chance venture "celebrates those 'by chance' moments in life that take you by surprise, including their own chance meeting."
Lupia grew up in Canadian Niagara Falls, with southern Italian heritage. Hooked on wine, she gained a Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture at Brock University. Following school, she worked cool-climate vintages across North America, including a stint in Oregon (USA), where she and Belbin met.
Lupia's Tasmanian partner grew up in the Coal River Valley. Work in neighbouring vineyards brought strong attachment to the valley's terroir and its striking wines. Vintage experiences in the USA and Germany were punctuated by long spells at Frogmore Creek Wines.
It's that combination of Coal River roots and international cool-climate experience that led to By Chance's varied portfolio. It includes crisp German-style Riesling, Cabernet Franc reminiscent of Niagara, and two different styles of Pinot Noir (a reflection of the couple's differing preferences when it comes to Pinot Noir wine styles).
Perhaps their most exciting prospect is their small batch, traditional method sparkling, almost ready for disgorging.
By Chance is a bare bones operation – devoid of almost all modern winemaking equipment – but loaded with passion and patience. All their wines are unfined and unfiltered.
The couple figure among the very few Australian wine producers that bottle their wines under the Vinolok closure. Made of glass – with a medical grade, synthetic sealing ring – the closure is 100 percent recyclable. It creates an airtight seal without the need for a corkscrew to open the bottle.
Studies by the Australian Wine Research Institute have demonstrated wines under Vinolok have preserved fruit character and display less 'off aromas' than those bottled under screw cap.
Nothing chancy about that.
Key details:
- Julie Lupia: owner/vigneron
- Michael Belbin: owner/vigneron
Vineyard/cellar door address:
- Vineyard: 409 White Kangaroo Road, Campania TAS 7026
- Winery: Warehouse 2, 43 Pitcairn St, Glenorchy TAS 7010
Neither site is regularly open to the public. Tastings by appointment only
Telephone:
+61 (0) 474 657 190
Email:
info@bychancewines.com.au
Website:
www.bychancewines.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, 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