Riversdale Estate
It was 1980 when Ian Roberts first kicked over the soil on his Cambridge property of Riversdale Estate. He was a university student, looking to flex his entrepreneurial muscles. Angora goats came first. And within a decade, he was a leading Australian breeder with a world record price in his stock books.
Next came one of Tasmania's largest olive groves. The site's Jurassic dolerite and mix of red/brown dermosols and black cracking clay showed their true worth, offering excellent soil structure and drainage with moderate plant vigour. Soon there were 50 olive-based products.
Later on, cottage accommodation. Over-achievement.
Vines entered the scene in 1991. First planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – with later additions of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah – the vineyard prospered. Its harvests were sold to some of the industry's biggest names.
In 2008, Riversdale Estate released its first wines, with sales and distribution managed by Cellarmasters. Nine vintages of Chardonnay under the property's own label then proceeded to win 10 trophies and 30 gold medals in national and international wine competitions.
By 2015, Roberts and his wife Wendy were operating the Coal River Valley's largest family-owned vineyard. It was time for a cellar door. Albeit with an adjacent French bistro offering periodic live theatre performances, as well as good food and wine.
A lavishly-styled orangerie and the Peter Rabbit children's garden – one of only two licensed to operate outside the UK – added family-friendly vineyard experiences.
In 2022 and 2023, Riversdale Estate pulled an even bigger rabbit out of its hat. Two rabbits, actually. Two years in row, the property's Musca-labelled Syrah was named Best Shiraz of Show and Best Tasmanian Shiraz at the annual Great Australian Shiraz Challenge, judged in Melbourne. The 2024 event saw the giant-killing Musca win another gold before the vineyard returned to its trophy-winning form in 2025.
March 2025 saw QANTAS Travel Insider name the 46ha Riversdale Estate one of ten Best Winery Cellar Doors to visit in Tasmania.
Visitors won't find themselves short of something to drink.
The Estate currently offers 20 wine products, ranging from traditional method sparkling to dry, medium and late-harvest table wines. All made on-site in a sustainable, state-of-the-art winery, launched in 2020.
The range of wine experiences on offer include several forms of guided tastings, with the top-of-the-line option comprising an 80-minute guided tour of the vineyard and winery. This personalised tour includes tastings of current and reserve vintages in the property's cellar door and wine caves.
Visitors can witness the estate's sustainable viticulture program in action. Around 450 Border Leicester and Merino are engaged as woolly workers over winter.
The gravity-fed winery harnesses 110kW of roof-top solar power.
Key details:
- Ian Roberts: owner/director
- Wendy Roberts: owner/director
- Rainier Roberts: vineyard manager
- Rico Simmons: winemaker
Vineyard/cellar door address:
222 Denholms Road, Cambridge TAS 7170
Telephone:
+61 (3) 6248 5555
Email:
info@riversdaleestate.com.au
Website:
www.riversdaleestate.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites in the Coal River Valley highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Six Friends (MJT 15.9°C; 786 GDD); Pooley Cooinda Vale (MJT 16.8°C; 929 GDD); SISU (MJT 16.8°C; 929 GDD) figure among the coolest sites.
Richmond Park Estate and Strelley Farm Estate (both MJT 18.0°C; 1189 GDD) are considered to be among the warmest, along with Coal Valley Vineyard and Cross Rivulet Winery (both MJT 17.9°C; 1185 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 Richmond Road, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 481mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 282mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 105mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.9°C
- Growing degree-days: 1174 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: 9
*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