Pipers Brook was established in 1974 by Dr Andrew Pirie, who is credited with placing Tasmanian wine on the world stage when his Ninth Island Chardonnay won the Best White Wine at the International Wine Challenge in London in 1994. It’s a large vineyard on the north-east side of the Tamar River, planted on vertosol (black-cracking clay) and ferrosol (volcanic) soils, both having excellent water holding capacity and offering a steady supply of vine moisture and nourishment. Given the isolated, cool climate, core varieties are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewurztraminer.
The winery’s second range, Ninth Island, is named after a small, windswept island sitting alone in the Bass Strait that on a clear day can be seen from the winery. This range of wines is inspired by the wild flavors of Tasmania and the distinctive charm of the Tamar Valley wine region.
Chief winemaker, Jim Chatto, is a Len Evans Tutorial Scholar and senior wine show judge with over 20 years of experience across both regional and capital city shows. Behind the sparkling wines is Natalie Fryar, famous for creating the Jansz style of “Methode Tasmanoise”.
All wines are made from estate-grown fruit, hand-picked and gently treated at the winery.