You'll need to be quick to snap up the new Tolpuddle releases; you might already be too late

Tolpuddle Vineyard has been one of Tasmania's great wine success stories, winning a swag of international awards and global acclaim for both its chardonnays and pinot noirs 

Planted back in 1988 by Garry Crittenden, Tony Jordan and the Casimaty family, Tolpuddle is actually an accidental success story. All the vines originally planted were intended for sparkling wines. But it is the site that stars over the clones. 

Since being purchased by Shaw+Smith duo Michael Hill Smith and Martin Shaw on a whim in 2011, the 32-hecrate Coal River Valley vineyard has become one of the most pampered in Australia. 

First under viticulturist/vineyard manager Carlos Souris, and now under former Oakridge vine whisperer Georgie Jacobs, Tolpuddle has being given impressive makeovers. 

From graftings to new plantings and new clones, this vineyard gets the full treatment. No vinous mani/pedis here. Nothing but the best. Constant attention. 

The soils are light silica over sandstone, perfect for high-quality chardonnay and pinot, but also very reflective of their growing seasons. Jacobs (below) describes 2025 as a "solid vintage" but once again attention to detail has paid dividends. 

All this is a precursor to the fact that the new-release 2025 Tolpuddle Chardonnay and 2025 Pinot Noir will be released to the public on October 1. And, as has become customary, it will be case of the quick and those who miss out. 

The wines will be available on allocation - and in some cases have already sold out. Winemaker Adam Wadewitz, one of Australia’s top winemaking talents, has delivered once again, as he should given the quality of the fruit.

The chardonnay is, as has become customary, world class. Feisty, intricate, textural, intense, concentrated but delicious and approachable, it will be much loved by Burgundy aficionados. 

All the elements come together despite its youth; freshness, coiled energy, citrus notes, minerality. Brilliant stuff. 

In the past, some Tolpuddle pinot noirs have been a bit arms and legs on release. The 2025 is one of the most complete I have seen at a young age. Classic dark cherry and wild strawberry notes for sure, but also some taut structure, deli and herbal hints and a winning approachability. There's some brambly elements, hints of spice, but, overall, elegance wins out.   

Both wines have an RRP of $118. See https://www.tolpuddlevineyard.com/ or beg and grovel at your local fine wine outlet. 

Images: Winsor Dobbin, Dearna Bond