Stoney Rise
When Joe and Lou Holyman purchased Rotherhythe Vineyard from property valuer John Vincent in 2004, they knew they'd bought a diamond in the rough. Ten years earlier, vineyard founders Shelagh and Steve Hyde had grown and made a Rotherhythe Pinot Noir that swept all before it when exhibited at the 1996, 1997 and 1999 Tasmanian Wine Shows.
The authoritative James Halliday had described the multi-trophy winner from 1994 as 'a wine of the greatest power and complexity.' Renowned UK merchant and international wine judge John Avery MW later remarked 'there are not many wines around as good as that in the Pinot Noir growing world.'
In double-quick time, the Holymans began an ambitious restoration and re-development program on their Gravelly Beach site, north of Launceston. First came removal of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, planted in 1986. Next came trial plantings of the Austrian white variety, Grüner Veltliner.
Later on, in 2015, the couple added the ancient French red grape Trousseau, also known as Bastardo.
Today, both grape varieties rub shoulders with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir up to 40 years old.
Re-named Stoney Rise at the beginning of their journey, the Holymans' 7.5ha West Tamar vineyard has become an industry showpiece. It's overlooked by a stunning cellar door that sits modestly in the landscape. The facility came from the drawing-board of Cumulus Studio and was named the winner in the commercial category at the 2021 Tasmanian Architecture Awards, conducted by the Australian Institute of Architects.
More importantly, the former Tasmanian wicketkeeper batsman-cum-winemaker is hitting topnotch wines out of the park. Indeed, Holyman was named a finalist in the inaugural year of Australia's Young Gun of Wine Winemaker of the Year awards. That was 2007.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir bearing the Holyman label are always estate-grown and always especially noteworthy. Always.
The current Stoney Rise portfolio comprises six wines. They include two variations on the Savagnin theme. 'Tradition' - unlike its conventional stablemate - takes a rigorous oak fermentation path, with the wine being matured for an extended period on its yeast lees. Both wines are made with Savagnin purchased from Spreyton, in cooler North West Tasmania.
Less than a kilometre from the kanamaluka/River Tamar, Stoney Rise vineyard occupies a gravelly/stony slope. It's carefully managed according to organic and biodynamic principles. Joe Holyman's intentions are clear and unequivocal. Promote and maintain vine and soil health and everything else will look after itself. Minimal additions in the winery let varietal fruit and terroir shine.
Man-of-few-words Holyman prefers his vineyard to do all the talking. Makes perfect sense.
Key details:
- Joe Holyman: co-owner/vigneron
- Louise Holyman: co-owner
Vineyard/cellar door address:
96 Hendersons Lane, Gravelly Beach TAS 7276
Telephone:
+ 61 499 786 634
Email:
info@stoneyrise.com
Website:
www.stoneyrise.com
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Growing conditions in the Tamar Valley fall under the moderating influence of the river itself. Consider: Eversley Vines (MJT 17.7°C; 1065 GDD) and Evenfall (MJT 18.4°C; 1230 GDD). Coolest vs warmest sites.
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 Gravelly Beach, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 814mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 377mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 184mm
- Mean January temperature: 18.2°C
- Growing degree-days: 1194 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: 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