Robert Hill Smith Snags Tasmania Winery

This highly ranked label and vineyard was established by Bertel and Anne Sundstrup in 1987 after a long search for the ideal site. Thus ownership seamlessly switches from one family to another.

Originally a mixed farm, the property is situated in the heart of the highly acclaimed Pipers Brook region of north east Tasmania, almost equal distant from Launceston, Scottsdale and George Town and just down the road from Jansz Tasmania.

Vines at Dalrymple are planted on sloping hills that overlook Bass Strait, the sea that separates Tasmania from mainland Australia. Facing northeast for maximum sunlight hours, vines thrive in ideal conditions, yielding grapes of exceptional quality. On the western border of the property, an extinct volcanic crater created the rich basalt topsoils found throughout the vineyard. During summer, Tasmania offers the longest sunlight hours in Australia, with the days remaining cool, rarely exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.

Currently we have several varietals planted on the estate although we intend to develop Dalrymple Vineyards as a specialist Pinot Noir producer of both Estate wines and wines of select vineyard sites in the region. We believe Tasmania offers the perfect opportunity to grow and craft first class Pinot Noir and intend to chase that belief relentlessly from our Pipers River base. Natalie Fryar will be our resident winemaker and she is highly excited about this challenge.

We formally take over the control of the property and brand in December, 2007 but the Sundstrups and their team have assured us the partnership has already begun. If you wish to know more about Dalrymple you can access their website on www.dalrymplevineyards.com.au

On the anniversary of the first woman in the world conquering Everest I think we can all envisage the challenge and the thrill of chasing the holy grail of wine and getting to the top!

Onwards and Upwards,

Robert Hill Smith

Proprietor | Hill Smith Family Vineyards