Mount Direction Estate
It's not exactly Clos Vougeot. The celebrated French wine estate came into being 900 years ago and spans 51ha. Mount Direction Estate (1.2ha) harks back 200 years. But if there's anywhere in Tasmania that feels like a Burgundy clos – enclosed garden – then this secret site above the Derwent must surely be it.
Owners Peter Priest and Simone Creagh purchased their historic property back in 2021. Previously known as Cleburne Estate – and located at the eastern end of the Bowen Bridge outside Hobart – it had been run as a B&B for more than a decade.
Before that – during the middle of the 19th century – it had been part of the 630ha country estate of wealthy merchant, Richard Cleburne. The Irishman arrived in Hobart Town around 1821 and became a prominent businessman and politician. Priest and Creagh have spent the past five years restoring the grand sandstone Georgian residence and outbuildings that remain as part of Cleburne's legacy.
The couple plan to live on the property.
Vines entered the picture in mid-2022 when work began on establishing 31 rows of Chardonnay and 28 rows of Pinot Noir. Total plantings of around 5000 vines span 1.2ha on the property.
Ancient gravelly loam and clay/mudstone over rocks of dolerite origin are low in nutrient but display excellent drainage and minerality. The dry and sunny growing conditions experienced on the site are variously moderated by prevailing winds, gentle sea breezes and the natural heat-sink provided by the meandering river.
Long ripening periods favour elegant, finely-structured Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Vintage 2025 provided a small inaugural harvest from the close-planted vineyard beside the Bowen Bridge. Single varietal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are being made under contract by Thomas New at a facility located not far from the western end of the bridge.
Brisbane-born, New is a trained botanist and ecologist who began his (self-taught) winemaking career in Queensland's Granite Belt. He moved to Tasmania to create his own wine brand – Future Perfect.
These lo-fi, small batch wines commenced in 2021. Their maker was a finalist in the 2025 Young Gun of Wine awards.
New's clients at Mount Direction Estate are not looking to produce cutting edge Chardonnay and Pinot Noir or classic Burgundy styles. Just delicious, attractive young wines that drink well in a beautiful garden setting.
Key details:
Peter Priest: owner/operator
Simone Creagh: owner/operator
Thomas New: contract winemaker, Future Perfect
Vineyard/cellar door address:
1036 East Derwent Highway Risdon Cove TAS 7017
Wine tastings by appointment only
Telephone:
+61 (0) 0417 605 623
Email:
TBA
Website:
TBA
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 East Derwent Highway 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 578mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 313mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 121mm
- Mean January temperature: 16.9°C
- Growing degree-days: 967 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: 20
*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