Brothers Matthew and Jonathan Hughes established Mewstone Vineyard in 2011 on the banks of Tasmania’s D’Entrecasteaux Channel in the tiny hamlet of Flowerpot. The small, boutique vineyard is a former cherry orchard and with some new plantings this year will expand to an ultimate size of just 3.5 hectares. The original plantings consist mostly of Pinot Noir with small plantings of Chardonnay, Syrah, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Whilst the Mewstone wines are strictly produced from the Flowerpot vineyard, the Hughes & Hughes range of wines brings together fruit sourced from around Tasmania, with the aim of producing wines that are high on both natural acidity and drinkability. In addition, from time to time individual small batches are released that capture the results of investigations into the use of skins, stalks, solids and other fermentation variables. All Hughes & Hughes wines are bottled unfined and with low sulphur.

Sourced from the Brinktop vineyard; hand picked, wild fermented, pressed to and matured in oak for 10 months. Excellent depth to its resonant purple hue; ironical this should be Hughes & Hughes' top wine. Savoury/licorice/black pepper all sing on the bouquet, then a lingering, cleansing finish. 1474 bottles made. Date: Aug 2023; Alcohol: 13.1%; Price: $50.00; Drink by: 2042; Rating: 97 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion