Meadowbank Wines

04/28/2025

When Gerald and Sue Ellis purchased their 2500ha grazing property from the Winspear family in 1976, a small trial plot of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon came as part of the deal. Defying the advice of naysayers, the Ellises then set sail on a half-century voyage of discovery. 

Expanding their 1974 plantings many times over during subsequent decades, their vineyard today spans almost 60ha. Close to half of it is devoted to Pinot Noir. The remainder is made up of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Meunier and Syrah, with lesser amounts of Chenin Blanc and Gamay.

The duplex soils here – brown to sandy loams over clay and sandstone – are derived from ancient Permian sedimentary rocks. Free-draining, they come with a range of acidic profiles and periodic Jurassic dolerite intrusions. The underlying parent material is dense with iron oxides and organic matter, creating a naturally de-vigorating environment that encourages vines to produce fruit with marked intensity and concentration..

Close to 85 percent of the property's wine grape production each vintage is sold to other companies. Indeed, Meadowbank has been a mainstay of the Arras prestige sparkling wine program for more than a quarter of a century. Bay of Fires Wines, Glaetzer-Dixon Family and Domaine Simha all figure among the Ellises' client list.

Since 2015, Meadowbank's own portfolio of estate-grown still and sparkling wines have been made in close collaboration with winemaker/partner Peter Dredge. Wine quality has been on an upward trajectory ever since. In 2023, Meadowbank's 2022 Pinot Noir swept all before it at the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge. The 2024 won the Jimmy Watson Trophy in Melbourne in 2025.

With Gerald and Sue Ellis still actively involved, day-to-day business is now being handled by daughter Mardi Ellis with husband Alex Deane. Dredge's continuing involvement should ensure a very bright future for this next generation of family ownership.

Key details:

  • Gerald Ellis: owner/director

  • Sue Ellis: owner/director

  • Mardi Ellis: owner/director

  • Alex Deane: owner/director

  • Peter Dredge: winemaker/partner

Vineyard/cellar door address:

652 Meadowbank Rd, Meadowbank TAS 7140

Cellar door sales and Meadowbank Long Lunch dining by arrangement

Telephone:

  • Functions/events (Mardi Ellis): +61 (0) 414 961 095

  • Distribution/trade (Alex Deane): +61 (0) 481 147 397

Email:

  • Mardi Ellis: mardi@meadowbank.com.au

  • Alex Deane: alex@meadowbank.com.au

Website:

www.meadowbank.com.au

Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied

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

Climate data* for sites in the Derwent Valley highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. e.g. Mount Direction Estate (MJT 16.9°C; 967 GDD) and Invercarron (MJT 16.9°C; 934 GDD) figure among the coolest sites.

Those considered to be the warmest include Government House Tasmania (MJT 17.8°C; 1165 GDD), Lowestoft (MJT 17.8°C; 1148 GDD) and Moorilla (MJT 17.8°C; 1148 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 Meadowbank Road, Glenora 1995-2024:

  • Total annual average rainfall: 583mm
  • Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 297mm
  • Average autumn rainfall: 119mm
  • Mean January temperature: 17.1°C
  • Growing degree-days: 954 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: 43

*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