Spring Vale Vineyards
Spring Vale Vineyard – near Cranbrook – was established by the Lyne family in 1986. The Lynes trace their Tasmanian ancestry back to the 1820s and the arrival of William Lyne, who later established Spring Vale as a prosperous sheep and cropping enterprise.
The renowned colonial author and early Australian photographer Louisa Meredith and her husband Charles preceded the Lynes and lived at Spring Vale in the 1840s.
In 1986, Rodney and Lyn Lyne diversified their farming of the property by planting 0.8ha of Pinot Noir, having recognised their cool climate wine potential and taken inspiration from East Coast pioneers Geoff Bull (Freycinet Vineyard) and John Austwick (Craigie Knowe Vineyard).
On-site expansions added Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Meunier over the years. The purchase of Melrose farm (2007) took total plantings to 14.5ha. Spring Vale's soils are fertile, reddish clay loams, with subsoils ranging from porous rocky loam to heavy clay soils over dolerite and limestone.
Plantings before 2000 at Spring Vale are supported by the 'U-shaped' modified Lyre trellising system promoted as state-of-the-art in the industry's early days. Later developments – as well as those on the Melrose site – have more conventional, upright VSP trellising.
Long, cool ripening seasons and low annual rainfall in these parts provide near-ideal growing conditions for intensely-flavoured fruit.
Winemaking at Spring Vale has evolved from contract arrangement – first, Freycinet Vineyard then Hood Wines – to construction of a modern on-site winery. Now there's a new generation of the Lyne family guiding operations.
Winemaker Matt Wood has had extensive vintage experience in Western Australia and Tasmania. He's ultimately responsible for Spring Vale's strikingly packaged range of traditional method sparkling and dry table wines.
Convict-built stables add authenticity to a warm country welcome at the vineyard cellar door.
Spring Vale enjoys a long-held reputation for the consistent quality and intensity of flavour that characterise the wines of Tasmania's central East Coast.
It's well deserved.
During the key tourism months, the relaxed and welcoming Apéro Bistro adds another string to the Spring Vale bow. It offers vineyard dining par excellence with French-inspired flair and Tasmanian authenticity. Chef Stephen Kean has had more than 30 years' experience in kitchen, including 15 years in France. His seasonal dishes highlight local produce, native herbs, and fresh-out-of-the water local seafood.
Apéro Bistro enjoys top tier status on Google Reviews. In January 2026, it enjoys a coveted 5-stars rating. Refer to the website for opening periods and times of service.
Key details:
- Tim Lyne: general manager
- Matt Wood: winemaker
Vineyard/cellar door address:
130 Spring Vale Road, Cranbrook TAS 7190
Telephone:
+61 (3) 6257 8208
Email:
- Office and sales: sales@springvalewines.com
- Tim Lyne: tim@springvalewines.com
Website:
www.springvalewines.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 Spring Vale Road, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 555mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 350mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 126mm
- Mean January temperature: 18.0°C
- Growing degree-days: 1196 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: 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: January 2026