Stoney Rise Vineyard
“Joe Holyman worked in wine on the mainland, first in sales and then making the stuff in Robe, before heading home to Tassie several years ago. Holyman has a clear vision for what he wants to achieve with his wines, and the first thing he did upon buying the old Rotherhythe vineyard overlooking the Tamar was rip up all the cabernet sauvignon and torch it while drinking a great bottle of Burgundy. He produces two labels, Stoney Rise and the very limited Holyman range, specialises in chardonnay and pinot noir, and is at the forefront of a new generation taking Tassie wine to the next level.” Nick Ryan – Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine June / July 2007
2007 Stoney Rise Chardonnay
“Rich stone fruit, attractive honeysuckle fragrance, nectarine and clever creamy complexity at the edges. It trades in finesse, intensity and an array of primary fruit flavours, finishing with crisp acid crunch.” Nick Stock - Gourmet Traveller Wine Dec / Jan 2008
2006 Holyman Pinot Noir – Trophy Winner 2008 Tasmanian Wine Show
“Since taking up ownership in 2004, Joe and Louise Holyman have devoted tremendous time and energy to improving the draining and viticulture of Gravelly Beach’s old Rotherhythe vineyard. The full effects will be seen in elevated wine quality in coming years. In the meantime, the couple’s premium Holyman pinot illustrates the site’s vast potential. There’s plenty of style and substance here.” Mark Smith The Examiner January 2008 “A sensually textured pinot with a beguiling nose of spice-dusted red fruit and hints of fungus-strewn forest floor. All class.” Nick Ryan – Gourmet Traveller Wine June / July 2007
2006 Stoney Rise Pinot Noir – Trophy Winner 2008 Tasmanian Wine Show
“This tiny vineyard on the Tamar is fighting well above it’s weight and incidentally, is one of the first, if not the first, to have plantings of the fashionable Austrian white grape, grüner veltliner. Complex, sappy, earthy smells, intermingled with concentrated strawberry pip fruit. Same in the mouth: it’s crammed with reduced strawberry and peel flavours held in check by tight, minerally acidity and fine, building tannins. A bargain price for pinot noir of this quality.” 94/100 Tim White - The Australian Financial Review Nov 30 – Dec 02 2007 “With its striking deep purple colour, 2006 Stoney Rise Pinot Noir offers fragrant nuances and strong dark cherry aromas. It’s tightly would and intense wine with citrus peel and a gentle oak influence. The palate oozes rich, juicy cherry flavour with firm, fine tannins; ripe and concentrated, it’s backed by bright acidity and offers impressive length.” Nick Stock – Gourmet Traveller Wine June / July 2007
2006 Stoney Rise Chardonnay
“Pure and precise with crisply cut flavours of pear and grapefruit dominating some carefully handled barrel-ferment complexity” Nick Ryan – Gourmet Traveller Wine June / July 2007
2005 Holyman Chardonnay
“Joe Holyman has hit his straps with this wonderful bargain. A long-time food and wine man (and occasional wicket-keeper, we hear) Holyman’s early winemaking achievements came under the Stoney Rise label, but he’s really moved up a gear with this eponymous chardonnay. Aromas of fresh lime, nectarine and grapefruit are lifted by a hint of wild honey and nougat. The palate is taut and terrific, with a gorgeous interaction vibrant fruit flavours and subtle winemaking artifices. Look out for the pinot noir too.” Peter Bourne – Gourmet Traveller Wine June / July 2007
2004 Holyman Pinot Noir
“In 2000, Joe Holyman started a fun label called Stoney Rise, but now he's getting serious, as his purchase of the established Rotherhyde vineyard on the banks of the Tamar River attests. His first pinot from the Tamar has a deep garnet colour and a dense, savoury, dark berry fruit aroma, spiced with a note of gamy complexity. The palate is intense, its positive spine of structural tannin filled out by rich, fleshy plum and dark cherry fruit flavours. The finish is long-lasting, indicating that the wine (and the label) has a big future.” Peter Bourne – Gourmet Traveller Wine Oct / Nov 2006
