Lisdillon
When James Radcliff was granted land at Little Swanport and named it Lisdillon, it marked the start of two centuries of innovative farming on the East Coast property. Sheep grazing and an ill-fated salt works came first. By the mid-1800s, Lisdillon had become a small prosperous community where nine families formed a town.
Subsequently home to Tasmania's first premier – and even later, home to Sir Henry Jones of IXL fame – the property's fortunes gradually faded over the years.
In 2008, fifth-generation woolgrower Crispin Cotton sought to breathe new life into the 2400ha family operation. It was time for something different. Inspired by the progress then being made by his brother Jack at Kelvedon Estate, he made plans to plant 0.5ha of Sauvignon Blanc and 1.0ha of Pinot Noir.
A year later, the job was done.
Vines soon thrived in the ancient geology. Its mix of weathered dolerite and sandstone eventually makes way for well-drained sandy loams and gravels. These combine with the maritime climate – mild days, cool nights, gentle sea breezes – to provide ideal conditions for long, flavour-packed growing seasons.
'The dilapidated jetty poles on the label are situated on Lisdillon Beach and symbolise the rich history and rugged beauty of the property.'
Lisdillon wine label
Sadly, Crispin Cotton did not live to see his 2015 Pinot Noir win the top gold medal in its class at the 2017 Tasmanian Wine Show. He died in April 2014.
Spurred on by early successes – including further gold for the 2017 Pinot Noir and silver for the 2014 Pinot Noir – Jane Cotton resolved to fulfil her husband's ambitions. With her family at her side, she extended plantings to 5ha, including 0.4ha of Sauvignon Blanc. A thriving accommodation business was also established, based around five cosy farm cottages.
In May 2025, the sale of Lisdillon added a new family name to the roll-call of central East Coast vineyards.
Nick Bedding has a wealth of experience in the financial services sector. Bedding's wife Meg is a lawyer who retrained in architecture and is now thrilled to have care of Lisdillon's collection of historic buildings.
Frequent visitors to the district, the couple had long been secret admirers of Lisdillon's unique coastal beauty and its rich colonial heritage.
Taking on custodianship in November 2025 brought a fresh flurry of activity to Lisdillon. They included valuable changes and upgrades to the property's critical water infrastructure.
The Cotton family's foresight and sheer hard graft helped Lisdillon's accommodation business hit the ground running under Bedding ownership. The beautifully restored waterfront cottages enjoy ratings spanning 9.0 ('Superb') to 9.8 ('Exceptional') among users of world-leading online travel service, Booking.com.
The cottages enjoy access to more than four kilometres of private and unspoiled coastline, with river and beach frontages. Two of the property's three beaches are completely private. Guest views take in vines, Lisdillon River and spectacular Great Oyster Bay.
Coveted 'Superhost' status and Airbnb guest ratings around 4.9 confirm the quality of commitment to visitor experiences.
Authenticity also helps drive ratings. Three of the lovingly restored rubble stone cottages – as well as the original homestead and a surviving outhouse – are heritage-listed, and date from the 1830s.
"Lisdillon...a private township, the property of John Mitchell, Esq., M.H.A. The interests here are both agricultural and pastoral… Mr. Mitchell's efforts during the past 25 years to make his homestead as English in appearance as possible has not been unattended with success.... Excellent four roomed stone cottages have been erected for the accommodation of the work people..."
Lisdillon visitor, 1877
Today's guests enjoy the rare luxury of having access to cellar-aged Pinot Noirs from the 2020 and 2021 vintages. These are also available online, together with the property's 2021 Sauvignon Blanc. The portfolio is likely to see the addition of a Blanc de Noir traditional method sparkling in future years.
It will be fascinating to continue to watch further history being created here once the dust has settled.
Stay tuned.
Key details:
- Nick Bedding: owner/operator
- Meg Bedding: owner/operator
- Aaron and Mary Parker: property managers
- John Schuts: contract winemaker, Derwent Estate
Vineyard/cellar door address:
11264 Tasman Highway, Little Swanport TAS 7190
Telephone:
+61 (0) 418 507 649
Email:
info@lisdillon.com
Website:
www.lisdillon.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites on the East Coast highlight the wide range of growing conditions here. Consider: Saltwater River Wines (MJT 16.0°C; 859 GDD) and Sterling Heights (MJT 18.3°C; 1267 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 Tasman Highway, Little Swanport, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 553mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 348mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 122mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.9°C
- Growing degree-days: 1179 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: 12
*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