Pooley Wines was established in 1985 by Denis and Margaret Pooley, when they planted a few rows of pinot noir and riesling on their 16ha property Cooinda Vale, which sits near Campania, on the picturesque banks of the Coal River, about 35km north of Hobart. It’s hard to imagine now, but back then planting vines was a questionable move, such was the infancy of the Tasmanian wine industry. But it actually showed great foresight, with the ensuing decades seeing what started as a retirement project, flourish and prosper, eventually becoming a highly regarded estate, producing premium cool-climate wines.
In 2003 Denis and Margaret's son John and his wife Libby purchased Belmont, an historic Georgian heritage-listed home on the outskirts of the charming, picture-perfect town of Richmond. Belmont was built in the mid 1830s by a Hobart wine and spirit merchant, Benjamin Guy, so its return to a wine family was serendipitous. The slope on which Belmont sits, is also heritage listed, as it was the site from which all the sandstone that built Richmond village and its famous bridge, was quarried. Here John and Libby set about planting what became known as Butcher’s Hill vineyard.
Pooley was awarded Winery of the year 2023 at James Halliday’s Wine Companion Awards.
"Riesling from the Butchers Hill vineyard at Richmond in the Coal River Valley. Whole-bunch pressed and fermented in tank with a further five months on fine lees in old French oak. Pristine fruit and unwavering precision = a beautiful wine. Green apple and lime fruits, wildflowers, crushed stone and grapefruit pith with liminal glimpses of lemon curd. It sports a wicked tubular palate shape of pure citrus fruits and rides on mineral-laden rails of acidity, all focus, velocity and detail. Tremendous length of flavour and sustain here."
96 points, Halliday’s Wine Companion.
And a Special Value Rating to Boot!
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