Westella Vineyard

Westella Vineyard is the Rowella property of Pinot Noir specialists Will and Jacquie Adkins. The couple first met as students in the 1990s at South Australia's renowned Roseworthy College, before beginning their wine careers in the Barossa Valley. In 2002, they returned to the Adkins' home town of Launceston.

For almost two decades, Will was general manager of Tamar Ridge Wines. It was a key industry leadership position he vacated shortly before launching the couple's own no-compromise wine project. It's a love letter to Pinot Noir.

'We only ever needed a narrow focus… just one really good thing. We had always been so singular. The answer was clear. It had only ever been Pinot for us. And it had only ever been Tasmania.'

Westella's traditional method sparkling and still table wines are produced from four clonal selections of Pinot Noir. They were planted on the Adkins' 4ha vineyard at Rowella in 2015.

This part of the West Tamar is a Tasmanian wine industry hot-spot. Westella's nearest neighbours – Chartley Estate, Iron Pot Bay, Waterton Hall and Holm Oak – are all less than five kilometres away. Tamar Ridge's Kayena Vineyard and Small Wonder are just a little further beyond.

The geology around Rowella is a complex mosaic of volcanic and sedimentary formations. Basalt outcrops offer protection from river erosion while providing the iron-rich, well-drained soils that Will Adkins believes are essential for growing premium Pinot Noir. Good soil depth and texture foster deep root penetration, while close proximity to the kanamaluka/River Tamar helps mitigate some frost risk, the bane of almost all cool-climate viticulture.

The couple's hands-on, rigorous approach to winegrowing earned Westella recognition as Wine Tasmania's most improved producer during its 2023 VinØ program. The sustainability initiative involves nearly half of Tasmania's total vineyard area.

Westella winemaking takes place at Delamere, Pipers Brook, under the watchful eyes of winemakers Julian Allport, Shane Holloway and Fran Austin.

The Adkinses' picturesque vineyard setting features an award-winning cellar door showcasing Tasmanian native timbers. Opened in 2023, it sits comfortably within the landscape, drawing inspiration from local architectural heritage.

Drawing appreciative visitors, too. They attribute 5 stars to Westella on Tripadvisor.com and Google Reviews.

Key details:

• Will Adkins, owner/operator
• Jacquie Adkins, owner/operator

Vineyard/cellar door address:

114 Westwoods Road, Rowella, TAS 7270

Telephone:

• Will Adkins: +61 (0) 498 262 441
• Jacquie Adkins: +61 (0) 438 088 564

Email:

wine@westellavineyard.com.au

Website:

www.westellavineyard.com.au

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 Westwoods Road, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 785mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 363mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 184mm
• Mean January temperature: 18.1°C
• Growing degree-days: 1234 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: 7

*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