Derwent Estate
When Trevor and Pat Hanigan first planted vines at Derwent Estate in 1992, it marked a fresh start for the historic (1820s) Mount Nassau property. Until then, five generations of Pat's family – the Rathbones – had derived income from sheep and cattle farming, seed and vegetable growing, quarrying and lime production.
Cool-climate viticulture offered new value-adding opportunities.
Taking advice from renowned viticulturist Fred Peacock, 4ha of Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir were planted on north-facing slopes above the river. A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon was added in 1998.
The vineyard lies on ancient Triassic limestone and sandstone soils. Overlaying gravelly loams provide excellent drainage and contribute a characteristic minerality and finesse to Derwent Estate wines.
The combination of early ripening, good yields and excellent wine quality proved a winning trifecta for the Hanigans. Riesling displayed its thoroughbred colours right from the outset. The inaugural release from the 1997 vintage – an uninspiring one for table wines across the State – won a bronze medal at the 1998 Tasmanian Wine Show. The 1998 and 1999 vintages won gold medals at the next two Tasmanian events.
Winemaking Tasmania's Julian Alcorso had an industry reputation for being the Riesling 'whiz,' but these contract-made wines went above and beyond their call of duty.
Derwent Estate's Chardonnay from 2020 swept all before it. It won gold and the Trophy for Best Chardonnay at the 2001 Tasmanian Wine Show. More importantly, the wine gained inclusion in James Halliday's Best of the Best by Variety in the 2002 edition of his best-selling Halliday Wine Companion. It figured among the top 19 Chardonnays in the country.
In doing so, Derwent Estate also caught the attention of a handful of significant major industry players on 'the Big Island.'
It wasn't long before the family were able to supplement their business cash flow with long-term fruit supply contracts. BRL Hardys (Bay of Fires Wines) and Penfolds (Yattarna Chardonnay) were among key beneficiaries of this rarefied, cool-grown fruit.
Expansions that added Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc in the Noughties – and a modern, straw bale winery built a decade ago – have seen Derwent Estate develop rapidly under the direction of Andrew Hanigan (viticulturist), John Schuts (winemaker/partner since 2013) and Ange Morgan (general manager).
Today, traditional method sparkling and estate-grown table wines can be enjoyed in the centuries-old Rathbone Cottage cellar door. Or partnering the excellent food served in The Shed Restaurant that opened on the site in 2020.
In May 2025, the estate extended its viticultural reach into the Coal River Valley with the purchase of the Brown family's 4ha Puddleduck Vineyard and cellar door.
Business on the Derwent, meanwhile, seems just as ducky. Stay tuned for further developments.
Key details:
- Andrew Hanigan: owner/director, viticulturist
- John Schuts: owner/director, winemaker
- Trevor Hanigan: owner/director
- Pat Hanigan: owner/director
- Ange Morgan: general manager
Vineyard/cellar door address:
- Derwent Valley: 329 Lyell Highway, Granton TAS 7030
- Coal River Valley: 992 Richmond Rd, Cambridge TAS 7170
Telephone:
+61 (3) 6263 5802
Email:
cellarclub@derwentestate.com.au
Website:
www.derwentestate.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 Lyell Highway, Granton 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 593mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 325mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 122mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.3°C
- Growing degree-days: 1025 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: 26
Climate data* for Richmond Road, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 594mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 341mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 130mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.4°C
- Growing degree-days: 1075 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