Dawson James
Dawson James Wines is a critically acclaimed partnership between Peter Dawson and Tim James, two respected Australian winemakers whose friendship began in 1976 during their early careers at Hardys Wines. Between them, they have over 80 vintages of combined experience.
A mutual passion for cool climate wines and the pursuit of quality prompted them to create Dawson James in 2010, focusing exclusively on Tasmanian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Their project centres on Meadowbank Vineyard, 60km upstream from Hobart on the Derwent River. The climate there is much more continental than most other wine-growing areas in the State. The Ellis family property in particular benefits from being established in a rain shadow. This is reliably one of the Tasmania's drier vineyard locations, with marked diurnal differences between daytime and night-time temperatures as the season draws to a close.
Dawson James purchases fruit exclusively from a single-site called The Horse Paddock. The block features sandy loams over structured clays and sandstone, with a northeasterly aspect. Pinot Noir was first planted there in 1989. Chardonnay was added in the following year.
Dawson James wines have consistently garnered national and international acclaim. Their 2018 wines won trophies for Best Tasmanian Chardonnay and Best Tasmanian Pinot Noir at the 2021 International Wine Challenge.
The 2020 Dawson James Chardonnay received a Platinum award at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards, a testament to the company's commitment to excellence and remarkable capacity to realise the the wine potential of Derwent Valley terroir.
Quality runs deep in this special corner of Tasmanian viticulture. Wines under the entry-level Island Belle label are also sourced from the Meadowbank site but utilise fruit from patches of younger vines and newer clonal selections that are expected to evolve into Dawson James products over time.
The 2024 Island Belle Pinot Noir won gold in its hotly-contested class at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards. Less than six months later, it was named Best Pinot Noir and Champion Wine of Show at the 2026 Tasmanian Wine Show.
Must have seemed a foregone conclusion to this pair of talented industry veterans.
Key details:
Peter Dawson: owner/winemaker
Tim James: assistant winemaker
Vineyard/cellar door address:
652 Meadowbank Road, Meadowbank TAS 7140
No Dawson James cellar door tastings or sales.
Online sales at www.dawsonjames.com.au
Telephone:
+61 (0) 419 816 335
Email:
peter@dawsonjames.com.au
Website:
www.dawsonjames.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites in the Derwent Valley highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. e.g. Mount Direction Estate (MJT 16.9°C; 967 GDD) and Invercarron (MJT 16.9°C; 934 GDD) figure among the coolest sites.
Those considered to be the warmest include Government House Tasmania (MJT 17.8°C; 1165 GDD), Lowestoft (MJT 17.8°C; 1148 GDD) and Moorilla (MJT 17.8°C; 1148 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 Meadowbank Road, Glenora 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 583mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 297mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 119mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.1°C
- Growing degree-days: 954 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: 43
*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