Roslyn 1823

Medical researcher Professor Andrew Palmer investigated the permaculture movement for almost a decade before he and his wife Esther purchased their historic Roslyn homestead in 2012. The 30ha property at Campania was once part of a much larger landholding granted to the pioneering soldier settler George Weston Gunning in 1823.

In 2015, the Palmers began preparations for integrating 2ha of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir into their sustainable farming system. In doing so, they created Tasmania's only permaculture vineyard.

Permaculture's three guiding ethics are earth care, people care and fair share. These are realised by a host of inter-related management programs. At Roslyn 1823, they include rainwater harvesting; regenerating soil and site biodiversity; composting and mulching; and the rotational grazing of sheep, ducks and chickens. The latter help provide low-impact, natural pest and weed control.

Jurassic dolerite, Triassic sandstone and brown dermosols provide the wherewithal for well‑drained vineyard soils with moderate water‑holding capacity.

The Roslyn 1823 label sprang into being with the property's first wines produced from the vineyard in 2019. Then – as now – the Palmers enjoyed the help, advice and winemaking know-how of veteran Tea Tree winemaker Robert Drew.

Drew has been growing and making wines in the Coal River Valley since 1992. He knows these soils like the back of his hand.

Roslyn 1823's current portfolio includes a range of distinctively packaged dry table wines, together with a vintage 'Ice Wine' in 375mL format, created in the winery – rather than the vineyard – by the process of cryo-extraction.

The Palmers offer regular and very popular 90-minute tours of their permaculture estate, including its vineyard and homestead.

"Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labor; and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single product system."  Bill Mollison, permaculture co-founder.

Key details:

• Andrew Palmer: owner/director
• Esther Palmer: owner/director
• Robert and George Drew: contract winemakers, Drew Wines

Vineyard/cellar door address:

Roslyn, 409 White Kangaroo Road, Campania TAS 7026

Tastings and visits by appointment only

Telephone:

Esther Palmer: +61 (0) 418 713 566

Email:

wine@roslyn1823.com

Website:

www.roslyn-1823.com

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 White Kangaroo Road, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 491mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 278mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 106mm
• Mean January temperature: 17.8°C
• Growing degree-days: 1131 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: 16

*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