Chartley Estate
Chartley Estate at Rowella – 45km north of Launceston – sits on fertile river terraces that were once home to grazing and apple-growing before cool climate vineyards first appeared there 40 years ago. Sandy/gravelly loams over siltstone and mudstone offer good drainage for vines and impart a certain minerality and finesse to the resulting wines.
This part of the West Tamar is a Tasmanian wine industry hot-spot. Chartley Estate's nearest neighbours – Holm Oak, Iron Pot Bay, Waterton Hall and Westella Vineyard – are all less than five kilometres away. Tamar Ridge and Small Wonder are just a little further beyond.
When Peter and Loraine Kossmann first planted vines here in 2000, it marked the start of a gradual transition from aquaculture (abalone) to viticulture for the busy couple. Twenty-five years on, the Kossmanns still maintain close involvement with day-to-day operation of their 12ha vineyard. That includes hand-pruning and harvesting.
A wide range of cool-climate varieties are cultivated across a dozen vineyard blocks. These can be managed separately, according to variety and the targeted wine product. Those at the northern end of the site have virtual river frontage and benefit from air movements that ventilate vine canopies, reducing disease pressure.
Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Schönburger account for the white varieties. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier figure among the vineyard's reds.
Production of estate-grown still and sparkling wines (all made off-site by contract winemakers) is complemented by the sale of fruit to support some of the State's best known wine brands.
The Kossmanns no longer participate in wine shows. They have nothing to prove.
A decade ago, the 2014 Chartley Estate Riesling won three trophies and was named Best Dry Riesling in the World at the 2015 International Riesling Challenge. The 2017 Chartley Riesling was judged Top Gold in its class at the 2018 International Cool Climate Wine Show.
At the 2018 Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show, Chartley Estate's Riesling and Pinot Noir entries from the 2017 vintage both won gold medals.
This is surely one of the industry's quiet achievers.
Key details:
- Peter Kossmann: owner/operator
- Loraine Kossmann: owner/operator
- Peter Dredge: contract winemaker, Dr Island Wines
Vineyard/cellar door address:
38 Blackwood Hills Road, Rowella, TAS 7270
Cellar door open by appointment. See website for details of online and retail sales.
Telephone:
+61 (0) 418 124 690
Email:
lkossman@hotmail.com
Website:
www.chartleyestatevineyard.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Growing conditions in the Tamar Valley fall under the moderating influence of the river itself. Consider: Eversley Vines (MJT 17.7°C; 1065 GDD) and Evenfall (MJT 18.4°C; 1230 GDD). Coolest vs warmest sites.
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 Rowella, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 785mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 363mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 184mm
- Mean January temperature: 18.1°C
- Growing degree-days: 1234 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: 7
*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