Lost Farm Tasmania

It's been 18 years since Richard Angove worked his first vintage with Tasmanian Pinot Noir. That brief stint as a fly-in assistant at Tamar Ridge left an indelible mark on his psyche. So when Angove struck up a conversation with Tasmanian winemaker Jeremy Dineen many years later, it wasn't long before talk turned to that pesky red grape.

The well-connected Josef Chromy boss made some enquiries on his behalf. In 2018, Angove found himself the grateful recipient of some small, high-quality press loads of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, courtesy of the owners of Goaty Hill Vineyard at Kayena.

It was the start of a close collaboration that lasted until May 2020 when the Maislinger, Grant and Nieuwhof families sold their 25ha wine business to WA-based Overstory. But there was no turning back for Angove.

While the Kayena vineyard took on a new identity as Small Wonder Wines, Angove Family Winemakers began consolidating their virtual winery business in Tasmania, now called Lost Farm Wines. The venture had established a bold new cool-climate frontier for the South Australian company. 

It's a far cry from the one that first sprang to life in hot-climate Renmark in 1886.

As fifth-generation grape-growers and winemakers, joint company managing directors Richard Angove and his sister Victoria drew on their family's proud history in assigning the Lost Farm moniker to their Tasmanian operations.

Back in 1974, the Angoves had suffered a huge blow when the historic Angove Family Farm – just outside Adelaide – was compulsorily acquired by the South Australian Land Commission. It then became the site of a large residential housing development.

Family patriarch and third-generation grower/winemaker Tom Angove fought the decision all the way to the Supreme Court of South Australia. But to no avail. The Angove family home – along with the family's best performing vineyards – were lost forever.

Today's Lost Farm sources carefully selected parcels of fruit from established growers in and around the Tamar Valley. Rather than owning and managing its own vineyards, the Angove family maintain close, ongoing grower relationships, somewhat in the manner of a French négociant wine business.

Vineyards in the West Tamar and North Esk Valley typically sit on ancient sediments and basalt-derived soils that offer good drainage and water-holding capacity.

The fresh breezes and long, mild ripening seasons associated with Tasmania's cool maritime climate provide great growing conditions for taut and terrific Chardonnay, finely-structured Pinot Noir and crisp, high-acid base material for sparkling wine production.

The current Lost Farm portfolio comprises single varietal Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in table wine format, together with a pair of traditional method vintage and NV sparkling wines.

In spite of the MD's predilection for Pinot Noir – and the gold medal successes of the 2021 and 2022 vintages – it is the Lost Farm Chardonnay that has excelled. It's become a consistent gold medal and trophy winner on the Australian wine show circuit. Arguably the pick of them is the 2021 Lost Farm, which won 6 gold medal and three trophies during its brief show career.

The wines from Lost Farm can be tasted and purchased at the Angove McLaren Vale cellar door in Chalk Hill Road. Yes, South Australia.

Key details:

• Richard Angove: joint managing director, Angove Family Winemakers
• Victoria Angove: joint managing director, Angove Family Winemakers

• Sophie Angove: group viticulturist, Angove Family Winemakers

Vineyard/cellar door address:

No Tasmanian vineyard cellar door

117 Chalk Hill Road, McLaren Vale, SA 5171

Telephone:

Angove McLaren Vale cellar door: +61 (8) 8323 6900

Email:

mclarenvale@angove.com.au

Website:

www.angove.com.au

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

Growing conditions in the Tamar Valley fall under the moderating influence of the river itself. Consider: Eversley Vines (MJT 17.7°C; 1065 GDD) and Evenfall (MJT 18.4°C; 1230 GDD). Coolest vs warmest sites.

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 Auburn Road, Kayena 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 812mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 372mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 187mm
• Mean January temperature: 18.2°C
• Growing degree-days: 1239 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 Glenwood Road, Relbia 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 626mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 303mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 137mm
• Mean January temperature: 18.3°C
• Growing degree-days: 1187 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: 27

*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