Tolpuddle Vineyard

When Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith flew to Tasmania to recce the State's cool climate wine industry, they didn't know they were about to purchase one of Tasmania's most distinguished vineyards. It was 2011 and Tolpuddle was not even on the market.

But it was love at first sight for the Adelaide Hills winemakers. They began negotiations and a deal was struck.

The east-facing vineyard overlooks historic Richmond, 20km from Hobart. It was established in 1988 as a joint venture to supply Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Domaine Chandon's sparkling wine program, based in the Yarra Valley.

The property had great bones. Back in 2006, it had been named Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year by the State's Royal Agricultural Society. By 2011, it was in need of a significant makeover, including changes to drainage, irrigation and vineyard airflow.

Purchase of adjacent land created entire new blocks, while pruning, canopy management and vineyard infrastructure were re-jigged on older blocks. Carefully scripted by viticulturists Ray Guerin and Murray Leake, they were brought to fruition by a no-compromise team on the ground led by Carlos Souris.

Introduction of new, improved clonal selections added over a decade to re-developments but with Wine Magazine's 2022 Winemaker of the Year Adam Wadewitz weaving magic spells since day one, the rewards have been spectacular.

The company's first Tolpuddle Vineyard wines came from the 2012 vintage. A torrent of national awards early on has become a flood internationally. In 2020, the 2018 Chardonnay secured five trophies at the (London) International Wine Challenge, including Champion White Wine. Two years later, it was three IWC trophies for the 2020 Chardonnay, and Decanter White Wine of the Year acclamation for the 2021 Chardonnay.

A small but beautifully crafted vineyard cellar door opened on the Richmond property in early December, 2024. During the next 12 months, the facility was shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects 2025 National Architects Awards; won the 2025 Tasmanian Architecture Award for Commercial Architecture; and received a Commendation in the 2025 TAA Sustainable Architecture category.

'A distinguished contribution to commercial architecture, this project sets a benchmark for clarity, environmental sensitivity, and programmatic excellence.'

Tasmanian Jury Citation

Lara Maeseele (Tanner Architects) also won the 2025 Tasmanian Architecture Emagn Project Award for her work as project leader.

Visitors to the Tasting Room can sample a flight of four wines - the current release Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay and Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir, together with a more mature back vintage example of each.  

Guests can choose from a concise menu of small share plates, prepared by the vineyard's resident chef using local ingredients. 

The Tasting Room is also available for exclusive, wine-focused events for up to 32 guests. It's open by appointment Friday through Monday, and bookings with pre-payment are essential. 

Fabulous vineyard views are priceless.

Less than six months after opening their striking new cellar door, Shaw and Hill-Smith saw the vineyard's 2023 vintage wines collect six trophies at the London awards ceremony for the 2024 International Wine Challenge. The Chardonnay was named Champion White Wine.

The 2024 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay won the Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy and Australian White Trophy for the second consecutive year at the 2025 event. The awards were announced in early 2026.

Some recce.

Key details:

• Martin Shaw: owner/director
• Michael Hill-Smith AM, MW: owner/director
• David LeMire MW: joint CEO, head of sales and marketing
• Adam Wadewitz: joint CEO, chief winemaker

Vineyard/cellar door address:

37 Back Tea Tree Road, Richmond TAS 7025

Visits by appointment only

Telephone:

+61 (3) 6145 8800

Email:

tastingroom@tolpuddlevineyard.com

Website:

www.tolpuddlevineyard.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 Back Tea Tree Road, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 501mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 289mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 107mm
• Mean January temperature: 17.8°C
• Growing degree-days: 1154 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: 12

*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: May 2026