Caledon Estate

Caledon Estate – located on a challenging rocky site outside Richmond – began its transformation from sheep farm to vineyard in 2018, when James and Karen Stewart returned to their home State after 16 years away. The desire to establish a family-run vineyard dawned on them while living in Western Australia. 

The reality of being totally unprepared hardly mattered to the legal eagle and the early childhood teacher. Collaboration with Spring Vale Vineyard on the East Coast helped make up for that. James and Tim Lyne – Spring Vale's general manager – have been close mates since the early 1990s.

Taking advantage of 30 years of industry experience and intuition, the Stewarts adopted a sensitive approach to development, matching vineyard blocks to valley terroir while ensuring minimal disturbance to established trees and grasses.

Site geology and topography were 300 million years in the making. Dolerite-derived soils take in sandy/alluvial material over sandstone, as well as the valley's renowned black cracking clay.

Caledon – Gaelic for 'rocky hill' – was one of the 36 original land divisions set out on the maps of Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) drawn up in the 1820s.

The Stewarts' Caledon Estate grows six varieties across nine vineyard blocks. All of them – Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir – were planted in 2019. In total, they span 11ha, mostly straddling north and north-east facing slopes.

The vineyard is being very capably managed by Justin Folloso. The 2023 Young Gun of Wine finalist – and 'Best New Act' – has worked in Burgundy and California. He's also worked wonders in the Coal River Valley. In early 2026, Caledon Estate figured on the shortlist of finalists for the Young Gun of Wine Vineyard of the Year (2025-2026).  Winners will be announced in June 2026.

Nine estate-grown sparkling and still table wines are the handiwork of Matt Wood at Spring Vale. 

The Caledon Estate portfolio includes vintage traditional method (50:50 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), as well as Reserve Chardonnay and Reserve Pinot Noir.

A vineyard cellar door opened in December 2024. The stylish sandstone and timber pavilion captures a range of panoramic views, from hill and valley to kunanyi Mount Wellington, 40km away. It's yet another vineyard gem from award-winning architecture and design company Cumulus Studio.

The vineyard's own chef prepares tasty items for a wine bar menu, everyday from Thursday to Monday. There's a selection of small plates and shared dishes designed for communal dining. Caledon Estate also caters for larger groups, including celebration events such as weddings.

This is a vineyard estate with very sound footings.

Key details:

• James Stewart: owner/operator
• Karen Stewart: owner/operator
• Justin Folloso: vineyard manager
• Matt Wood: contract winemaker, Spring Vale Vineyards

Vineyard/cellar door address:

332 Prossers Rd, Richmond TAS 7025

Telephone:

+61 490 498 776

Email:

hello@caledonestate.com.au

Website:

www.caledonestate.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 Prossers Road, Richmond, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 491mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 286mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 106mm
• Mean January temperature: 17.9°C
• Growing degree-days: 1158 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: 13

*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