Kreglinger Wine Estates
When vines were first planted in the North East, Labor's Gough Whitlam was PM, high-energy rock and rollers AC/DC were just emerging, and big city studios were trialling colour television test patterns. It was 1974. Seismic changes were on the way.
Now 50 years old, Pipers Brook Vineyard figures among Australia's first cool-climate vineyards. Genuinely cool.
Its earliest years were shaped by the pioneering vision and viticultural know-how of Sydney brothers David and Andrew Pirie. Emboldened by data collected by Andrew during his PhD research in viticulture, their plantings took place against a backdrop of local disinterest and a Tasmanian Government actively involved in discouraging such ventures.
During 27 years of company leadership, Pirie made Pipers Brook Vineyard a proving ground for cool-climate wine varieties. Notably: Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir. He helped realise the North East's potential for sparkling wines, mentored a whole generation of young winemakers and laid the groundwork for significant industry investment by overseas companies.
By the time Pipers Brook Vineyard Ltd was listed on the ASX and subsequently sold to Kreglinger Australia in 2001, the business spanned 175ha across seven sites. Its Tamar Valley and North East investments combined to make it the largest and most influential vineyard operation in the State
A quarter of a century on, owner Paul de Moor remains at the helm of the company he led onto the district's deep, red ferrosol soils.
The Kreglinger family can trace its business roots back to 1797. Originally established in Antwerp, Belgium, its remarkable connections have long since extended to some of France's most prestigious wine estates. They include the renowned Bordeaux estates of Vieux Château Certan and Château Le Pin.
The de Moors put down roots of their own in Tasmania. In 2005, they began a decade-long quest to collect and propagate a vast array of Pinot Noir clones for a new site on their historic property of Mount Pleasant, overlooking Launceston.
The subsequent vine improvement program conducted there has seen improved certified clonal material take root on other company vineyards. Single site wines appear under The Lyre label.
Elsewhere – in 2016 – ambitious programs of vineyard renovation and renewal were initiated under the guidance of highly respected consultant viticulturist, Ray Guerin. Ten years on – thanks to sensitive site management by viticulturist Dr Luciano Caravia and the inscrutable winemaking talents of NZ-born Luke Whittle – Kreglinger Wine Estates operates a wine portfolio that is second to none in Tasmania.
Prestige traditional sparkling wines – both NV and vintage – appear under the celebrated Kreglinger brand. Sparkling wines also appear under the flagship Pipers Brook Vineyard brand, as well as Ninth Island and Pipers Tasmania labels.
Rosevears on the West Tamar is the primary vineyard source for wines marketed under the Ninth Island brand.
The company's early portfolio focus on Alsace-inspired Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling has been reduced to just the latter two, with aged and sometimes wayward Gewürztraminer vines having been removed from vineyards. That's been compensated by the enhanced wine quality of the usual 21st century suspects, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot-based Rosé.
Pinot Noir in particular has gone from strength to strength over the past decade. Ninth Island Pinot Noir is a market segment leader. Estate-labelled wines have become prolific gold and trophy winners.
But Kreglinger's secret for success is really no secret at all.
Tradition. Innovation. Sustainability.
Key details:
- Paul de Moor: owner/operator
- Dr Luciano Caravia: company viticulturist
- Luke Whittle: chief winemaker
Vineyard/cellar door address:
- Pipers Brook Vineyard: 1216 Pipers Brook Road, Pipers Brook, TAS 7254
- Ninth Island Vineyard: 95 Rosevears Drive, Rosevears TAS 7277
Cellar door tastings, sales and events at Pipers Brook
No cellar door sales or tastings at Ninth Island (Rosevears)
Telephone:
+61 (3) 6382 7555
Email:
info@kreglingerwineestates.com
Website:
www.kreglingerwineestates.com
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites in the North East highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Consider: Apogee (MJT 17.2°C; 975 GDD) and Handpicked Baxters Road (MJT 18.3°C; 1247 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 Pipers Brook Road, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 797mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 370mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 185mm
- Mean January temperature: 18.1°C
- Growing degree-days: 1213 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: 9
Climate data* for Rosevears Drive, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 848mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 387mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 186mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.5°C
- Growing degree-days: 1030 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: 28
*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