All change at two Tamar Valley wine stalwarts

Change is afoot at two of the star wine producers in Tasmania's Tamar Valley: Moores Hill and Native Point.

Native Point Wines has acquired a share in Moores Hill Estate and while one vineyard is located on the western side of the valley, the other on the east; the two family-owned businesses have several syntheses.

Established in 1997, Moores Hill Estate was purchased in 2008 by husband and wife, Julian Allport and Fiona Weller with Fiona’s father Lance. The eight-acre estate and cellar door is a popular stop on the Tamar Valley wine touring route.

Ater eight years, Lance has retired from the business and his share has been purchased by the owners of Native Point Wines, Tim and Sheena High.

Native Point, visits by appointment, is another eight-acre vineyard at Swan Bay, which was planted in 1999.

In future, the two businesses will share resources in vineyard management, fruit, winemaking, bottling, sales and marketing.

The first joint project is the construction of a winery on-site at Moores Hill Estate and bottling line at Native Point.  Construction is on track to be completed by the end of February 2017, in time for harvest. 

“The partnership brings together the experience and resources of both businesses and is a unique opportunity for us to accelerate the growth of our vibrant wine business,” says Tim High. “Between us, we have significant experience in viticulture, winemaking, business management and marketing.

“Combining our resources enables us to increase efficiency: and realise our long-held plans of running our own winery.”

Julian Allport, a qualified winemaker, will produce both brands and said he is looking forward to making wine on-site, allowing control and quality to be the focus from vineyard to bottle.

The on-site winery will enable Moores Hill Estate to expand its tourism offering beyond wine tasting in the cellar door. 

During summer, Moores Hill is open 10am-5pm for wine tasting and sales. If you're peckish, they will be serving cheese platters, charcuterie tasting plates and fresh oysters while enjoying sweeping views over the vineyard. 

For more indulgence, Moores Hill has also sourced crayfish from the waters off Stanley on Tasmania's north-west coast. Quantities are limited. 

Moores Hill will also be at Taste of Tasmania from December 28-January 3 in Hobart and under the trees in Launceston's City Park for Festivale on February 10-12, along with serves of poké- a Hawaiian/Japanese-influenced seafood salad using local ingredients.