White Rock

Located at Kimberley – 30km inland from Devonport – White Rock is among the oldest vineyards in NW Tasmania. Phil and Robin Dolan began their wine odyssey in 1992 as an adjunct to a 13.5ha hobby farm. The vines – 0.75ha Chardonnay, 0.25ha Pinot Noir – came with help and expert guidance from Delamere Vineyard founder, Dr Richard Richardson.

White Rock's first harvest followed suit in May 1997.

After adding Pinot Gris and Riesling, the couple took a shot in the dark in 2009 by planting 400 vines of Dornfelder. Bred in Germany in the 1950s, the high-yielding, disease-resistant variety produces deeply-coloured red wines under growing conditions that would prove much more challenging for more traditional red wine grapes.

The Dolans' first commercial release of Dornfelder struck pay-dirt almost overnight. Labelled 2013 White Rock Dawn Red, it won a gold medal and Trophy for Best Other Red at the 2014 International Cool Climate Wine Show held on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. 

There's been no more recent wine show participation. The Dolans have nothing to prove.

Demand for the vineyard's Dornfelder remains strong. Mewstone's Jonny Hughes – now also White Rock's contract winemaker – figures among the variety's regular buyers.

Small-batch, single vineyard wines were made under contract by the ever-reliable Alain Rousseau at Frogmore Creek Wines until the Dolans decided to down-size their operation. White Rock's single estate production volumes are now generally maintained at around 200 cases each vintage.

White Rock Vineyard enjoys good sunlight exposure with rows having a significant north-east to easterly aspect. Viticulture can be challenging at Kimberley, with the site's mix of red ferrosols and dermosols on basalt tending to remain wet until well into spring, delaying budburst and early shoot growth.

There's no longer a vineyard cellar door at White Rock but make the most of those declining wine volumes. Refer to facebook.com for sales and other details.

Key details:

• Phil Dolan: owner/operator

• Robin Dolan: owner/operator 

• Alain Rousseau: contract winemaker, Frogmore Creek Wines

Vineyard/cellar door address:

1171 Railton Rd, Kimberley TAS 7304

No cellar door tastings or sales. See Facebook pages: White Rock Vineyard

Telephone:

+61 (0) 455 502 542

Email:

whiterockwine@gmail.com

Website:

N/A. Refer to social media. 

Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.

Climate data* for sites in North West Tasmania highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Consider: Leven Valley Vineyard (MJT 15.3°C; 701 GDD) and Scott's Mill Estate (MJT 17.5°C; 1149 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 Kimberley, Tasmania, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 930mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 410mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 199mm
• Mean January temperature: 17.7°C
• Growing degree-days: 1081 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: 19

*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