Two Tonne Tasmania
Tamar Valley, Tasmania
Born and bred on the scenic island of Tasmania, Ricky wouldn’t want to make wine anywhere else. His star has risen rapidly since he launched his own label in 2013, and these days his wines are hot property.
Operations are a little bigger now, with Ricky handling much more than that initial two tonnes of fruit, but his ethos remains the same: “Small parcels, big love”.
“I put a lot of thought and care into small parcels of fruit to make more complete and complex wines,” says Ricky. “I like to spend a lot of time in the vineyard and pick out bits that are going to shine in particular ways.”
Ricky’s award-winning wines reflect the pristine island they come from: pure, fresh and vibrant. Pinot Noir is his signature offering, notoriously challenging to make, and it sits alongside others including Riesling, Chardonnay and some exciting blends.
“I want flavour... I want the wines to be generous and people to feel that they’ve really got something out of them,” says Ricky. “But purity is first and foremost what I’m trying to find.”
It’s a quality that defines Tasmanian wine more broadly, and Ricky is passionate about contributing to the wine community and encouraging the rest of the world to discover this unique region.
“I’ve spent a lot of time away, and I’m excited to get away, but I’m more excited when I’m coming home,” he says. “Tasmania is incredibly diverse. My vineyard here is very different to another one of my vineyards which is 10 minutes away, and that’s just within a very small area.”
Ricky believes the island has what it takes to become one of the great wine regions of the world.
“I hope part of my role, being a younger person in the industry down here, is to help Tasmania reach its potential.”
2022 Riesling ‘TMV’
This wine is from Tasmania’s Tamar Valley (TMV). Beginning just south of Launceston the valley winds 50km north to its meeting point with the powerful Bass Strait. With an endless number of aspects and micro climates, this wine is produced from two spots which together represent what we love about riesling from this area. Three Wishes, planted in 1999 is at Hillwood is a warmer site, protected from the north, and the river is just to the south, just a few hundred metres away. To compliment, we have two little plots from growers in Relbia, much further south, with a zesty acid profile these balance the lush fruit and lifted aromatics from the Three Wishes vineyard.
Tasting Notes:
Aromatic and textured, the wine lifts with perfume from the glass and has weight on the palate, tension and purity.
2022 Chardonnay ‘TMV’
With an endless number of aspects and micro climates, the wine is produced from five sites from throughout the Tamar Valley. These sites together express what we love most about chardonnay from this Tassie sub region.
Winemaking:
Picked right on time, the palate is fresh, yet generous. The wine went through partial malolactic fermentation, and the acid is pure and long.
Tasting Notes:
Ripe and generous fruit is joined by a fantastic line of acid and a hint of a ‘sea spray’ character, meaning this wine is light on its feet while still displaying some beautiful ripe peach, lemon curd and melon flavours.
2022 Pinot Noir ‘TMV’
This wine is from Tasmania’s Tamar Valley (TMV). Beginning just south of Launceston the valley winds 50km north to its meeting point with the powerful Bass Strait.
Produced from different sites, our intent with this wine is to reflect what we believe are the standout characteristics of the Tamar Valley sub region.
This is produced from all four of our own sites, plus two dedicated growers, it is a true representation of the valley.
Tasting Notes:
We pick each vineyard at the right time, resulting in a juicy and vibrant pinot noir that expresses red fruits and spice. There is softness within its warm heart, it leaves you with a trail of freshness and closes with strawberry seed-like tannin. 93+ pts. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front