Zymo Wines
Jim Forchini was a NASA engineer who retired and bought a vineyard in Sonoma County in the early 1970s. By the time Sierra Blair was 16 or 17, the young Californian student knew she wanted to follow in her grandfather's footsteps.
Blending shared passions for science and viticulture, Blair carefully navigated her way through four years of study at the University of California (Davis). She emerged with a Bachelor of Science (Viticulture and Oenology) and set out on her own wine journey.
New Zealand, the USA and France all provided milestones along the way.
After three years in Western Australia, Blair moved to Tasmania and soon found the 2019 vintage beckoning. She signed on as an assistant winemaker at Ghost Rock Vineyard, just outside Devonport.
Six years later, Blair is more than just a team member. She's in charge of winery operations there, as the Arnold family's first permanent, full-time winemaker.
Zymo is Blair's own winemaking side-hustle. The small independent label was launched with wines sourced from the 2022 vintage in North West Tasmania.
The brand takes its name from the word 'zymology' – the science of fermentation.
Zymo showcases Blair's creative, low-intervention approach to winemaking, with wild-ferment, small batch wines being carefully crafted from collaborating vineyards. Explorations in texture and flavour are conducted with a lightness of touch so that fruit and vineyard terroir still enjoy freedom of expression.
Blair and Ghost Rock are really bubbling along at the moment. In January 2025, the talented young winemaker made her industry presence better known when she collected two trophies on behalf of Ghost Rock (Best Pinot Noir, Champion Wine of Show) at the Tasmanian Wine Show.
In June 2025, Ghost Rock picked up the coveted Young Gun of Wine People's Choice award:
'Ghost Rock's Sierra Blair shows a real knack for understanding what wine drinkers are looking for. With her family's history as California viticulturists giving her an eye for both sides of the growing/making coin, Blair's wines balance winemaker know-how with a deep respect for the work that goes into the fruit she uses.'
Zymo's own milestone awards can't be far away.
Key details:
Sierra Blair: owner/operator
Vineyard/cellar door address:
1055 Port Sorell Rd, Northdown TAS 7307
No Zymo Wines cellar door
Telephone:
N/A
Email:
zymo@zymowine.com.au
Website:
www.zymowine.com.au
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 Northdown, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 807mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 373mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 180mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.4°C
- Growing degree-days: 1083 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: 12 days
*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