Roslyn Estate property and vineyard
"Roslyn" is enriched in history; only three families have ever owned the property since government grant in 1821. The property was owned by the Burn's family up until 1980. The "Roslyn" property was divided in 2000 the homestead and adjacent land is owned by the Allen's family. G Allen was the driving force in establishing Roslyn Estate Pty Ltd and the Roslyn Estate vineyard.
Over the last two centuries there are tales of various sightings of the Thylacine in the Coal River Valley, the first published sighting of a Thylacine in the Coal River Valley was in 1823 on the Estate in the surrounds of "Roslyn".
A part of the vineyard is established on the old convict trail, which connected Richmond to Maria Island (Orford).
The Roslyn Estate property consists of 408.20 hectares of which 45 hectares are planted in vines on various parts of the property, selected for the suitability of growing each variety planted. This was determined by the soil type and their northerly facing aspect. Roslyn Estate vineyard consists of 27 different blocks, situated on very different altitudes for example the lowest block is planted approximately 80m above sea level, in comparison to where the Roslyn Estate First Sighting Reserve Pinot is planted at approximately 180m above sea level. Each vineyard block contains very different soil structures and topography allowing for a very unique terroir characteristic.
The 45 hectares of vineyard consist of plantings of:
- 17.92 hectares of Pinot Noir
- 11.295 hectares of Chardonnay
- 5.520 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc
- 1.450 hectares of Riesling
- 4.960 hectares of Merlot
- 2.977 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon
- 0.710 hectares of Cabernet Franc
- 0.160 hectares of Petite Verdot
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is certainly the most widely planted variety in Tasmania. The wine made of Pinot Noir can be used as a base wine for sparkling wines and of course table wine. Pinot Noir from the Coal River Valley is well known for its intense aroma. Roslyn Estate wine range depending on the vintage season consists of two pinot labels, the Roslyn Estate First Sighting Reserve Pinot and the Roslyn Estate Pinot. The Roslyn Estate Pinot is made from grapes harvested from various blocks of the vineyard, compared to the Roslyn Estate First Sighting Reserve Pinot is purely made from grapes harvested from the reserve block, the reserve is only made on exceptional years.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The Coal River Valley is famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon. This Cabernet Sauvignon is full of intense fruit flavours, a wine that made a big impact at comparative tastings in Australia and Europe. Cabernet Sauvignon makes the most dependable varietal wine for aging, more often improving into a truly great wine than any other single varietal.
Merlot
Roslyn Estate grows Merlot to be used to blend into Cabernet Sauvignon. While Merlot's flavour is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot tends to be less distinctive and slightly more herbaceous overall in both aroma and taste. Merlot has slightly lower natural acidity than Cabernet and generally less astringency, therefore usually a more lush mouth-feel.
Petite Verdot
Although a lesser known Bordeaux variety, Petite Verdot is used to blend in small percentages to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blends.
Cabernet Franc
A small percentage of Cabernet Franc is planted at Roslyn Estate, this variety is planted purely to enhance the aroma in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blends.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is used in sparkling wines. In good sites it makes a splendid wine with good aging capacity. It is an early ripening variety with good aromas when grown in a cool climate region. Chardonnay has a quality which allows for its flavours to be dramatically affected by differences in soil, climate and different vineyard practices. Each vintage the Roslyn Estate Chardonnay displays very different appealing characteristics this is purely due to the seasonal influences. The Roslyn Estate Chardonnay is unwooded to allow these characteristics to be evident of their own accord.
Sauvignon Blanc
Only a handful of wineries in Tasmania produce Sauvignon Blanc. The cool climate gives us excellent fruit to make wines, which equal the best Sauvignon Blanc's in the world. Roslyn Estate produces award winning Sauvignon Blanc wine.
Riesling
Riesling variety comes back into fashion, and again in cool climate Roslyn Estate grows Riesling grapes, which make wines full of aroma with elegance and longevity. Currently due to planting size of Riesling that Roslyn Estate Vineyard has, Roslyn Estate sell all of the Riesling grown as grape sales to other processors.