At the moment, you'd be hardpressed to find any Tasmanian wine list worth it's salt that doesn't offer bottles by Stoney Rise. And if its reputation has preceded it, you may be surprised to learn that Stoney Rise is not a huge producer but rather a small, family-run winery.
Joe and Lou Holyman have had a passion for winemaking for decades, with Joe's family being involved in winemaking since 1984. But it wasn't until the husband and wife visited a special vineyard in the Tamar Valley in 2003 that they realised just how special that region was for growing grapes, and just how much they were keen to get involved. The pair purchased a Tamar Valley vineyard in 2004, oversaw the construction of the on-site winery for completion in 2008 and got to work.
The winery has produced a few ranges, including the original Stoney Rise range that includes chardonnay, grüner veltliner, savagnin, pinot gris, trousseau and pinot noir, and the Holyman X range, which includes chardonnay and a couple of varieties of pinot noir. The No Clothes lineup is comprised of natural wines, and in continuation of the family's legacy of winemaking, the duo's son Oscar created the Yes Miss pinot noir when he was just 16 and not even old enough to drink legally.
For the cellar door, the Holymans enlisted the help of the architects at Cumulus Studio (Devil's Corner Cellar Door, Stillwater). As you drive up the winding road through Gravelly Beach, you'll be welcomed by a timber building with multiple faces. At first, it's a stark addition to the natural environment; but when you enter, you'll soon be greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the beautiful landscape and offer awe-inspiring views.
The building champions sustainability through the use of locally sourced and natural materials, and thanks to the thermal mass of bricks, the space is able to achieve natural heating and cooling. The interior design is minimal, and the few flashes of colour are reminiscent of red and white grapes. There's ample indoor seating, but if the weather's good, take advantage of the small outside seating area complete with a fireplace.
You can order wines by the glass or the bottle, but those keen to taste several can opt for the tasting flight of four wines for $15. And when you start to feel your stomach grumble, rest assured that the food menu is chock-full of hearty, vinegary, oily and savoury meals that we all crave after a few drinks. Think a rich, creamy French onion dip, Wagyu bresaola with thin breadsticks, a three-cheese toastie slathered with onion jam and sardines served with toast triangles.
The tasting room is open from 10am to 5pm on Thursdays to Mondays, and while bookings aren't essential, they're highly recommended and can be made through the website.
