WELCOME
The Stoney Rise Wine Company is a boutique vineyard and cellar door based in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley. It is the brainchild of Joe Holyman and his wife Lou.
Stoney Rise was started in 2000 with an eye to produce wines that are food friendly, and offer people complex wines without too much oak, or overripe fruit characters. The name comes from a surf break in the Little Dip Conservation Park behind Robe in South Australia.
After 10 years in the wine industry, as a sales rep, a wine buyer, and more recently working in wineries it was time to make the break and do something on my own. I have spent time working in New Zealand, Portugal and France, as well as Tasmania, Mt Benson and Coonawarra, which has given me a broad understanding of wine styles, and how many different people make their wines.
My family has been involved in vineyards in Tasmania for 20 years. In 2004 we purchased our vineyard on the Tamar Valley with the eye to continue our passion for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in this special cool climate. The vineyard, planted to 3 hectares of Pinot Noir and 1 hectare of Chardonnay was established in 1986. It produced trophy winning wines and high praise in the mid 90’s and we are setting about restoring the vineyard to its former glory. A passion for growing grapes, and a European winemaking philosophy ensures the reputation will be restored.
The Stoney Rise range is all about drinkability. The Pinot Noir goes into the oldest oak we have, for less than twelve months. 50% of the Chardonnay is fermented in new French oak barriques before being bottled early to retain its freshness.
The Holyman range of wines are the wines that we hope get to be cellared. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are both fermented using “wild” yeast. The Chardonnay spends all of it’s time in new French oak, while 25% of the Pinot Noir goes into new oak for maturation. These wines are made to show our passion for the grapes we grow and will reward with time in the cellar.
Enjoy!
Joe & Lou Holyman
