Priory Ridge Estate
Priory Ridge Estate is a small family operation with a big community profile. Located just outside St Helens, it was first planted in 2008 by former Tasmanian MHR David Llewellyn and his wife Julie. The 6ha vineyard was established on part of a former grazing property that had had family connections to the couple stretching back over a century.
The site itself unique in Tasmania. It sits on mineral-rich volcanic soils that contain a high proportion of ancient Devonian granite, interspersed ironstone gravels. They provide excellent drainage and support naturally low vine vigour. That's almost ideal for concentrating flavour in cool climate wine varieties. Meanwhile, breezes from nearby Georges Bay moderate seasonal temperature extremes, creating long, slow ripening conditions that suit aromatic whites and finely structured red grape varieties like Pinot Noir.
The Llewellyns planted Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir on their Priory Ridge Vineyard, along with a small amount of Gewürztraminer and the aromatic, early-ripening Siegerrebbe. The varieties proved well suited to the rocky, ridge-line terroir. With intensive, hands-on viticulture, the vineyard soon gained a reputation for producing full flavoured, estate-grown wines.
The whites were made at Tasmanian Vintners, near Hobart. The Pinot Noir was made by Brian Franklin at his Apsley Gorge winery.
Priory Ridge was something of a late-bloomer. In 2013, the property's barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc topped its category at the 2013 Winestate Wine of the Year Awards. Subsequent vintages won gold and silver medals at three Tasmanian Wine Shows. In 2024, the 2021 Pinot Noir finally came to the party and won gold just months before a change in vineyard ownership.
East Coast locals Bruce and Heather Keath and their family took charge during the Easter period of 2024. The vineyard's first harvest under its new ownership was a resounding success. Tasmanian Vintners and Apsley Gorge Vineyard are continuing in their roles as contract winemakers.
While Priory Ridge added Estate to its business name, it remains focused on high-quality, single-site wines. Enhanced visitor experiences draw larger numbers to the rustic vineyard cellar door after its sensitive makeover. Periodic live music events encourage visitors out-of-doors to soak up the sun and the sounds while overlooking the vines.
Summer 2026 saw Priory Ridge Estate participate in Festivale, Launceston's iconic food and wine event in the City Park. Some 30,000 ticket-holders passed through its gates. The Keaths had something new to share. The very attractively packaged Sloop Rock Wines portfolio offered an expanded product range and strengthened the vineyard's regional profile.
Of course, visitor experiences are not all about wine. The vineyard's close proximity to the cellar door enables guests to see wine in the making from the start of the season. And there's plenty more going on. The small army of willing workers includes Babydoll sheep, free-ranging hens and roosters, and around two dozen guinea fowls. It's a soft approach to effective pest management. All that scratching about helps fertilise and aerate soil, as well as encouraging beneficial insects and enhanced biodiversity.
Last season's vineyard management made room for a traditional method, 2025 vintage sparkling wine to be added to the Estate portfolio. Its first corks will be popped close to the end of the decade.
Right now, Priory Ridge's wine future looks as secure as that Devonian granite.
Key details:
- Bruce Keath: owner/operator
- Heather Keath: owner/operator
- Brian Franklin: contract winemaker
Vineyard/cellar door address:
280 Ansons Bay Rd, St Helens TAS 7216
Telephone:
+61 (0) 418 812 364
Email:
info@prioryridge.com.au
Website:
www.prioryridgeestate.com
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 Ansons Bay Road, St Helens 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 814mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 473mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 179mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.9°C
- Growing degree-days: 1181 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: 14
*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: February 2026