SISU Wines

When former Sydney couple Jake and Mary Sheedy first set eyes on the 95ha grazing property of Valley View just outside Campania, it was at the height of the global pandemic in Australia. Their business partner was locked down and unable to travel to meet the vendors and kick over some soil.

But fortune favours the brave. The Sheedys made their bid and became the new owners of what has grown to become SISU Wines.

The business takes its name from a Finnish word for which there is no literal English translation. It embodied concepts of 'grit,' 'inner strength' and 'resilience in the face of adversity.'

The couple have had to summon up their fair share of 'sisu' since taking on their 95ha property in early 2021. Almost five years later, there's plenty of reward for effort – a 25ha vineyard (farmed holistically), a 200-tonne winery and a striking vineyard cellar door that first opened in December 2025.

Some 230 woolly workers play valuable support roles in management practices that are both low-impact and certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.

Working in partnership with Landcare Tasmania, the Sheedys have already planted more than 1300 native trees and smaller plants on their site. Over the next few years, they'll be working toward re-wilding around 10 percent cent of the old grazing property. Land that was once native white gum forest will be returned to some of its former glory as part of the nationwide Land for Wildlife program. 

The volunteer scheme is co-ordinated locally by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. During the single calendar year of 2024-25, more than 2200ha of private land was added to the program already being conducted across the State.

Black dolerite, red vertosols and well-drained sandy loam provide a winning trifecta when it comes to matching vines with vineyard soils on the site.

The planting mix is eclectic. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir are core selections, while Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Gamay, Nebbiolo and Shiraz comprise building blocks for a little more creative expression of site.

Sheedy's custodial role out of doors has seen him bring a good deal of his passion indoors and into his winemaking. Indeed, in early 2026, he made the shortlist of finalists for Young Gun of Wine Winemaker of the Year. Award winners will be announced in June 2026. 

Right now, the real winners are those that venture to take the 40km or so road trip to Campania from the Hobart CBD. This is a beautiful part of Tasmania. Not poke-you-in-the-eye selfie territory. It's just quietly serene and understated.

The new cellar door has settled into the landscape and showcases natural local timbers and sandstone cut from a nearby quarry in the valley. The tasting room is very easy on the eye – relaxed, casual and welcoming – with the Sheedy design brief having been met and exceeded by Sydney-based designer, Stephanie Elzinga (Selzi Design).

"This farm wasn't called Valley View for nothing," says Jakes Sheedy.

Key details:

• Jake Sheedy: owner/operator
• Mary Sheedy: owner/operator
• TBA: vineyard manager
• TBA: cellar door manager

Vineyard/cellar door address:

1479 Colebrook Rd, Campania TAS 7026

Telephone:

+61 (0) 448 885 695

Email:

info@sisuwines.com.au

Website:

www.sisuwines.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 Colebrook Road, Campania, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 547mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 312mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 118mm
• Mean January temperature: 16.8°C
• Growing degree-days: 929 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: 27

*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