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Tamar Valley
41 degrees South and 50 metres above sea level, our vineyard is nestled within native bushland on the western ridge of the Tamar Valley. Here, cooling winds from the Bass Strait and the influence of the Tamar River shape a long, gentle growing season, moderating large temperature fluctuations and creating ideal conditions for cool-climate expression and natural elegance.
Certified organic by Australian Certified Organic (ACO 13305), the vineyard spans 20 hectares of original plantings, first established in 1998. As the vines mature, so too does our understanding of the land beneath them. From aromatic whites planted in sandy soils to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thriving in clay loams and ferris mudstone, each block reveals something different in terms of structure, flavour, and character. Planted across a range of slopes and aspects, the site presents both a challenge in terms of management and a rare opportunity, with its natural variation giving rise to micro-terroirs of remarkable quality and potential.
In 2023, we planted a new 4.33-hectare block on a gently sloping, north-east-facing rise, a beautifully sheltered site that captures uninterrupted morning light. Shaped like a natural amphitheatre, the block offers a diverse range of aspects and exposures, allowing us to fine-tune vine and clone selection with greater precision. Mostly planted to Pinot Noir, including a range of newer clones and rootstocks unavailable 25 years ago, alongside a single block of Pinot Gris, this site opens up fresh possibilities for expression. Protected from the prevailing north-westerly wind by a stand of native trees, it presents an exciting opportunity to deepen our understanding of the region and refine the nuances of fruit character, clone, and site.
We farm organically, building biodiversity through permanent ground cover, managing soil health with restraint and intention, and returning our prunings to the soil as mulch, helping to build structure and sequester carbon over time. Precision and patience guide every step of the growing process, from sap flow pruning to hand-picking, all in service of plant care, balance, and longevity, capturing the nuance of site and season in every harvest.
Coal River Valley
On the dry, sunlit slopes of the Coal River Valley, our second vineyard tells a different story. Located just outside Hobart and in the rain shadow of the often snow-dusted, imposing Mt Wellington, the site enjoys long daylight hours and a cool, more continental climate than the Tamar to the North. It is also markedly drier and less humid than our Tamar Valley home.
Planted between 2017 and 2019, the 24-hectare vineyard stretches across a gently sloping, east-facing rise. Pinot Noir thrives on the upper reaches, where early light and natural air drainage offer ideal conditions for ripening. Chardonnay, Riesling, and Syrah flourish mid-slope in fine sandy clay loams, while Pinot Gris and additional Chardonnay and Riesling blocks are planted on deeper, sandier soils in the lower flats. The vineyard's east-facing aspect allows the fruit to soak in the morning sun while avoiding the harsher heat of the afternoon.
Now transitioning to organic certification, the site brings both new challenges and new potential. Sunlight and warmth are precious resources here, requiring meticulous canopy design, precise pruning, and a deep understanding of vine balance. Crop levels are carefully managed, with many blocks hand-pruned and hand-harvested, just as they are in the Tamar. While the environmental pressures differ, our attentive, science-led philosophy remains constant, prioritising biodiversity, vine health, soil vitality, and expressive, balanced fruit.
The soils are predominantly deep, nutrient-rich magnesic clays, varying in strength and natural vigour. Here, cover cropping is critical. A multi-species mid-row program helps keep the ground aerated and protected through the wet winters, while easing competition during the dry summer months.
Together, our two vineyards enable us to explore Tasmania’s dual identities, north and south, offering a broader lens on the island’s cool-climate potential and an even greater capacity for nuance, clarity, and depth.
Meet Wayne, Our Tamar Valley Vineyard Manager
Wayne Nunn has been tending the Small Wonder vineyard since 2005, long before it bore the name. Now with over 20 years of experience working on the property, Wayne’s deep knowledge of the land, climate, and vines makes him a steady hand behind the wines we produce. Born in Launceston and a proud long-time resident of George Town, “Australia’s oldest town, depending who you ask,” Wayne brings a grounded, local perspective to the vineyard’s evolution.
While he doesn’t drink wine himself, Wayne takes immense pride in growing the grapes that others enjoy. With seven kids, a love of history, and a knack for relic hunting (ask him about his metal detector finds), Wayne’s curiosity runs deep, whether it’s the soil underfoot or the stories buried within it.
“After nearly 30 years, these vines are still teaching us. Each season brings a deeper understanding of the soils, the slope, the wind. We don’t intervene more than we need to, just enough to let the site express itself with clarity and balance.”
Meet Bryn Williams, One of Our Coal River Valley Vineyard Managers
With a background in both viticulture and winemaking, Bryn brings a well-travelled palate and hands-on expertise to the Small Wonder vineyard team. After graduating from Lincoln University, he honed his skills at Two Paddocks in Central Otago before following vintages through Oregon, British Columbia, the Hunter Valley, and most recently, the vineyards of Portugal and southern England.
Now based in Hobart, Bryn balances precision in the vineyard with creativity in the kitchen, fermenting cheese, curing salami, and escaping into Tasmania’s wilder corners whenever time allows.
“One of the magical things about the Coal River Valley is its long, slow autumns. Crisp mornings and warm afternoons ideal for a gentle, balanced ripening where acidity stays vibrant and sugars stay low. Day after day the fruit builds in intensity and concentration that’s uniquely Tasmanian."
Meet Matt Connaugton, One of Our Coal River Valley Vineyard Managers
After discovering a love for wine on a trip through Margaret River, Matt found his true calling in the cool-climate vineyards of Tasmania. With over 15 years of experience growing Pinot Noir and Riesling in the Coal River Valley, Matt brings deep regional insight and a grounded, thoughtful approach to vine management.
He holds a degree in Viticulture from Charles Sturt University and lives in southern Tasmania with his wife and two sons. When not among the vines, you might find him behind a camera lens, capturing quiet moments of life outdoors.
“The Coal River Valley has such a unique growing environment. It has a long, cool growing season and often little rainfall. It has a variety of soil types throughout the valley, which makes no two sites the same. The Small Wonder vineyard has a combination of three soil types across the site, which allows the wines made from this site to fully express the terroir of the valley."
