MacLean Bay Wines
Scott Williams and Simon Will shared passions for golf, red wine and the sunny climes of Tasmania's East Coast. In 2015, the intersection of all three catapulted the two mates into the wine industry when they leased Diamond Island Vineyard from Bicheno fisherman, Derek Freeman.
Named after a nearby landmark, the 2ha Pinot Noir plot became MacLean Bay Wines from 2016.
The vineyard itself lies between pristine coastline and light scrub, with a heavily-forested mountain range beyond. Freeman planted the site in 2001 as a future retirement project, but subsequent years saw it take on greater significance.
The hobby horse's bloodlines brought Royal Hobart Wine Show gold medals in 2011 and 2015 (for 2010 and 2014 wines) .
Subscription-based publication Winewise attributed its coveted Outstanding rating to the 2012 vintage.
Show successes have continued unabated, despite the vineyard's small scale and limited participation in such events. The 2020 Pinot Noir won gold in Hobart in 2021.
Williams and Will managed the vineyard on weekends and at other times when their full-time jobs permitted. Two became one when Williams and his wife Sonia eventually took on ownership of the property, leaving Will to continue his busy career in housing and construction.
Williams's background is in horticulture. Since 2017, he has held the Tasmanian Irrigation position of scheme operator for the Swan Valley and Lower South Esk Irrigation Schemes.
Early vintages of MacLean Bay were made by Winemaking Tasmania. Despite full-time commitment to work and family, Williams has somehow managed to take on winemaking as well. His single vineyard wines now include medal-winning vintage Rosé in traditional method and still table wine formats.
Well-crafted, limited edition Basket Pressed Pinot Noir has been a recent and welcome addition to the range.
Tiny volumes of fruit are also purchased by Pinot Noir specialist Jim Chatto for his stylish Lutruwita blend.
A quirky little DMR humpy serves as one of the State's cosiest vineyard cellar doors. Seeing is believing.
Key details:
- Scott Williams: owner/operator
- Sonia Williams: owner/operator
Vineyard/cellar door address:
Toxteth Court, Bicheno TAS 7215
Telephone:
+61 (0) 407042824
Email:
info@macleanbaywines.com.au
Website:
www.macleanbaywines.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, Bicheno 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 788mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 495mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 183mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.4°C
- Growing degree-days: 1090 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: 16
*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: August 2025