La Villa Wines

03/09/2025

In the early 1980s, Marcus and Gail Burns moved from a family apple orchard at Spreyton (15m above sea level) to the vine-clad slopes of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. Between 1984 and 1993, Marcus's professional cycling career took all manner of twists and turns before the couple finally settled back on home turf. 

A small hobby vineyard planted at Spreyton in 2009 went from pre-occupation to new occupation. 

The couple's Emilia Wines was established in 2010, with vintage releases appearing under the label from 2013. 

In 2018, Emilia Wines became La Villa Wines. Italian wine authorities and their lawyers argued Marcus and Gail Burns had breached a 1994 bilateral agreement between Australia and the EU regarding the use of geographic indications. According to the agreement, Emilia-Romagna is a protected GI, set aside for  exclusive use by the region's producers.

Now spanning 9ha, La Villa's intensively-managed vineyard is the source of a carefully devised and well-established portfolio of wines. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Savagnin, Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir contribute to vintage and NV bottle-fermented sparkling wines as well as single-varietal table wines. 

Current vintage releases sit comfortably alongside older vintages allowed more oak and/or bottle maturation. 

Wines are made off-site by contract winemakers Fran Austin and Shane Holloway, at Delamere Wines. Quality is invariably excellent.

A carefully selected range of leather handbags and accessories made in Italy by Campomaggi can be viewed/purchased at La Villa's attractive vineyard cellar door. 

There's a lot going on in little old Spreyton.

Key details: 

  • Marcus Burns: co-owner; vineyard manager

  • Gail Burns: co-owner; marketing and events manager

  • Effie Burns: cellar door manager

  • Fran Austin and Shane Holloway: contract winemakers, Delamere Wines

Vineyard/cellar door address: 

347 Mersey Main Road, Spreyton TAS 7310

Telephone: 

+61 (0) 418 642 722

Email: 

lavillawines@iinet.net.au

Website: 

www.lavillawines.com.au

Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied

Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.

Climate data* for sites in North West Tasmania highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Consider: Leven Valley Vineyard (MJT 15.3°C; 701 GDD) and Scott's Mill Estate (MJT 17.5°C; 1149 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 Spreyton, 1995-2024:

  • Total annual average rainfall: 929mm
  • Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 415mm
  • Average autumn rainfall: 200mm
  • Mean January temperature: 17.3°C
  • Growing degree-days: 1080 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: 13 days

*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