The Holyman family had been involved in vineyards in Tasmania for 20 years, but Joe Holyman's career in the wine industry, first as a sales rep, then as a wine buyer, and more recently working in wineries in NZ, Portugal, France, Mount Benson and Coonawarra, gave him an exceptionally broad-based understanding of wine. In 2004 Joe and wife Lou purchased the former Rotherhythe Vineyard, which had been established in 1986, and set about restoring it to its former glory. There are two ranges: the Stoney Rise wines, focusing on fruit and early drinkability, and the Holyman wines, with more structure, more new oak and the best grapes, here the focus on length and potential longevity.

Coal River Valley chardonnay. Light straw in the glass with inviting aromas of white peach, nectarine and citrus with hints of soft spice, white flowers, oatmeal, crushed stone, nougat, clotted cream and a wisp of struck flint. A picture of clarity and tension with a swoop of pithy texture, a mealy tide slowly retreating and some lovely grapefruit pith notes as the wine retreats. Date: Sept 2024; Alcohol: 13%; Price: $35.00; Drink by: 2032; Rating: 95 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion