Derwent Estate confirms purchase of Tasmanian wine tourism favourite Puddleduck

Puddleduck, one of the most popular wine producers and cellar doors in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, has been purchased by one of the state's leading brands, Derwent Estate. .

Owners Darren and Jackie Brown announced this week that the business would officially be sold; and Derwent Estate's Andrew Hanigan today confirmed the deal has been completed.

Puddleduck will continue to operate as a stand-alone business.

"We are incredibly excited to be taking over the ownership of Puddleduck Vineyard," Hanigan said in a statement to GoTR.

"The brand that Darren and Jackie have built over the last three decades is amazing and unique, and we are humbled to be able to continue this on.

"The synergy between our family business and theirs seemed like a great fit and we are thrilled to be able to work in the world renowned Coal River Valley."

Derwent Estate, based at Granton, is a fifth-generation family farming business operated by the Hanigan family.

“It's a tough thing to do to let you know that after 27 years of growing, making, and sharing wine at Puddleduck Vineyard, that the time has come for some of our family to step away from the business,” Puddleduck said on its Facebook page.

“As of Friday the 9th of May, ownership of Puddleduck Vineyard will transition to new owners.

“The familiar faces of the family namely - Darren, Jackie, Nick and Sue - will be changing to new family faces and they will introduce themselves in the very near future.

“This change marks a significant moment for us personally and professionally, and while it’s not without emotion, it feels like the right time for both Puddleduck and our family.

“Over nearly three decades, we’ve had the privilege of building Puddleduck into what it is today – a family-run vineyard and cellar door in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, where every bottle is grown, made, and sold on-site.

“We’ve always taken pride in offering a warm welcome, quality wines, and (quite) a few duck-related quirks along the way!

“Throughout the years, we’ve been fortunate to work with wonderful suppliers, partners, and supporters like you, and we want to express our sincere thanks for being part of our journey.”

Puddleduck is best known for its Bubbleduck sparkling wines and popular cellar door.

  

New wine producer out of the blocks like a rocket

If you haven't heard of Glenhope Vineyard it might be the right time to get the new wine producer on your radar.

The Macedon Ranges label has just released its inaugural eight wines - and they are crackers across the board - and all retail for under $40 a bottle.

The undulating 450-485 metres Macedon Ranges site was first planted with vines in 1995 by Tom Lazar from Virgin Hills, and has long sold fruit to some some high-profile producers including Bindi, Silent Way, Latta Vino, Joshua Cooper and others.

In 2021, James and Marlin Gevergizian went in search of a rural retreat in the Macedon Ranges, bought the property and set their sights on becoming top growers and producers in the region.

For the 2022 vintage, they put aside grape parcels for their own label.

With the help of vigneron Scott Harrington and vineyard assistant Flynn Kelly, they had a brilliant start to the journey with the Gordon Knight Trophy for Best Winery in Show at the 2023 Macedon Range Wine Show.

Not bad for a wine producer that was at that time without a single bottle to sell.

Now that has been rectified, I have tasted through the range and am genuinely impressed.

It is rare to taste eight wines from one label and not find a couple of weaker releases. Not here. These are excellent across the board.

The range - all from 2022 - comprises six wines at $38: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and two shirazes: B5 Ferrosol and B3 Granitic, along with a pinot noir shiraz blend for $32 and a Rosé for $28.

The lifted, floral and very varietal Cabernet Franc was my favourite, but I also had a lot of time for the composed Malbec and the fresh, vibrant, carbonic macerated "nouveau" blend.

All were solid and self assured. Dangerously gluggable, in fact with great fruit doing its thing without too much interference. 

With 94 acres under vine, Glenhope is the region’s biggest vineyard. It is planted to chardonnay and riesling as well the varieties used in the new releases.

The soil profile extends from granitic at the elevated end of the site, to sandy loam, and an ironstone-rich volcanic loam on the eastern ridge. 

The site is 450-485 metres above sea level with diurnal temperature ranges that mean slow ripening periods with long ‘hangtime’ during the growing season, which stretches well into May.

Viticulturalist and winemaker Harrington has worked in Central Victoria, the Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley and the Macedon Ranges over 25 years with stints at various domains across Europe.

He has been guided by mentors including Paul Bridgeman (Levantine Hill) and Steve Webber (De Bortoli Yarra Valley).

The wines are attractively labelled and effectively colour coded. 

For more info see https://glenhopevineyard.com.au/

All change at landmark Bowral hotel

All change at The Gibraltar Hotel in Bowral, a New South Wales Southern Highlands landmark over the past decade.

As of this week the hotel is being operated by StayWell Holdings and has been re-launched as the Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral.

It is only the second hotel globally for the new brand, with the first - Park Proxi El Hayat Sharm in Egypt - signed last year.

The rebadged Park Proxi will feature a resort-style 18-hole golf resort course, gymnasium, and heated internal swimming pool along with 77 rooms and suites.

Food and beverage options include Harvey's Bar and Observatory Restaurant, which will showcase local produce from Southern Highlands farms.

There are also several conference and events spaces and the hotel has been a popular wedding venue.

The hotel rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling views of Mount Gibraltar and have continental king and queen beds, large bathrooms, some with a walk-in shower, climate control and Nespresso coffee-making facilities.



Simon Wan, president of the Park Proxi parent company, StayWell Holdings, said: “We could not be more excited about the launch of Australia's first Park Proxi hotel in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales.

"Our model welcomes collaboration with hoteliers to take advantage of the best that each location has to offer, based on the understanding that no-one knows an area quite like a local.

"We are thrilled to continue the legacy of the Gibraltar Hotel into its new era, whilst ensuring its ties to the Southern Highlands' community remain stronger than ever.”

Bowral is midway between Sydney and Canberra. 

For more information see https://www.staywellgroup.com/ or http://www.parkproxibowral.com

StayWell Holdings, and its parent company Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide has a network of 121 open and under-development hotels worldwide under brands including The Prince Akatoki, The Prince, Grand Prince Hotel, Park Regis by Prince, Park Regis, Policy, Park Proxi, Prince Hotel, Prince Smart Inn, and Leisure Inn.