Leven Valley Vineyard

Leven Valley Vineyard - at Gunns Plains, 25km southeast of Ulverstone - sprang into life as Moonrakers when former Sydney couple Steve and Diana Usher planted 0.5ha of Chardonnay and 0.5ha of Pinot Noir in 1997. The vines - and a little viticultural advice – came from Delamere founder Dr Richard Richardson.

Moderately steep north-facing slopes here enjoy good sunlight exposure in this picturesque valley. 

Grape-growing can be challenging, however. Barely 30km south lies Black Bluff (1339m), one of Tasmania's highest mountains. Local weather patterns – no matter what time of year – can be unpredictable. Katabatic winds and valley mists make periodic appearances in these parts.

Several changes in ownership – firstly to the Weatherly family (2003) and then to the Dontschuks (2012) –  brought Terri and Trenton Seager to what had since become Leven Valley Vineyard in April 2022. Now replete with 1.5ha of mature vines and well-established management regimes, the site is likely to become a beneficiary of recent and significant changes to climate.

Free-draining deep red/black clay loams over limestone provide a great medium for vine growth. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir harvests are not only among the latest in Tasmania, they are among the latest anywhere in Australia. But long hang-times produce wines with great fruit intensity, moderate alcohol and food-friendly acidity.

Vintage Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir table wines can be enjoyed at the cellar door alongside local/regional artisan produce. Reverse BYO and BYO BBQ are welcome. Periodic wine/chocolate taste explorations take place under the guidance of a local chocolatier. 

The Leven Valley Vineyard cellar door is open 10 months of the year. Closed July and August. Refer to the website for details of opening times.

The annual Regional Movers Index - which analyses population movements between population centres in regional Australia - included the Meander Valley among the nation's top five 'hot spots' for inter-regional migration in 2025.

Terri and Trenton Seager were clearly ahead of the curve. Fortune favours the brave.

Key details:

• Terri Seager: owner/operator 

• Trenton Seager: owner/operator

Vineyard/cellar door address:

321 Raymond Rd, Gunns Plains TAS 7315

Telephone:

+61 (3) 6429 1140 

Email:

info@levenvalleyvineyard.com.au

Website: 

www.levenvalleyvineyard.com.au

Vineyard climate data

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 Gunns Plains, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 1270mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 533mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 271mm
• Mean January temperature: 15.3°C
• Growing degree-days: 701 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: 35

*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