Nandroya Vineyard

When optometrist John Rees and his wife Joy established Nandroya in 1989-1990, their vision was to see the viticultural potential of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel realised in their life times. It was a vision on a grand scale. Still recovering from the loss of its apple industry during the 1970s, the district was home to few vineyards in the late 1980s. 

Less than 20ha of vines.

Nandroya was founded on the premise that small is beautiful. The couple's Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir plantings spanned 1.5ha, laid out on a gentle north-easterly slope above the North West Bay River. The brown soils there are primarily clay and gravel that straddle a ridge of volcanic basalt. Drainage here is excellent, but soil shallowness in places results in periodic low crop yields. 

Dream wines for consumers. Sleepless nights for bank managers.

Close proximity to North West Bay moderates the highs and lows of temperature fluctuations. Vines enjoy long, even ripening seasons to produce aromatic fruit with intense flavours and fresh natural acidity.

The name 'Nandroya' comes from an Aboriginal word meaning 'a family living in harmony.' It reflects the vineyard's ethos. Vines are hand-tended, with day-to-day operations carried out on a scale well-suited to organic principles.

An EarthCheck assessment in 2010 rated Nandroya's green credentials (for green-tourism.com affiliation) as 'above best practice.' 

John's untimely death during vintage 2023 was a major set-back for his family and friends. Meanwhile, his vision for Nandroya - to produce distinctive cool climate wines, true to terroir - remains a key focus for Joy and Sam Rees, her soil scientist son.

A true reflection of a family living in harmony.

Key details:

• Joy Rees: owner/cellar door sales
• Sam Rees: owner/vineyard manager
• Di Aldous: contract winemaker, Hurly Burly Wines

Vineyard/cellar door address:

262 Sandfly Rd, Margate TAS 7054

Telephone:

+61 (0) 409 412 505

Email:

sales@nandroya.com.au

Website:

www.nandroya.com.au

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

Climate data* for sites in the Huon Valley/D'Entrecasteaux Channel highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Nandroya, Two Bud Spur (both MJT 14.8°C; 622 GDD) and Bruny Island Premium Wines (MJT 15.4°C; 747 GDD) appear to be the coolest sites south of Hobart.

Tinderbox Vineyard (MJT 17.3°C; 1088 GDD) and Trial Bay Estate (MJT 17.1°C; 1044 GDD) are the warmest.

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 Sandfly Road 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 1020mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 525mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 227mm
• Mean January temperature: 14.8°C
• Growing degree-days: 622 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: 33

*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