Product Description:
Chardonnay with poise, power and pinpoint detail.
Lowestoft’s 2023 Estate Chardonnay is a benchmark release from one of Tasmania’s most compelling new labels. Sourced from cool-climate sites on the Tasman Peninsula and East Coast, this wine is a study in tension, texture and drive—crafted under the eye of Liam McElhinney, whose track record now includes 16 Trophies and the Jimmy Watson.
Precision winemaking underpins every part of the process: hand-picking, whole-bunch pressing, wild ferment in seasoned French oak, and careful lees work. One half was sulphured early, the other left unsulphured and stirred for complexity. The result is a chardonnay with serious architecture—mealy and taut, carried by ripe citrus, stone fruit and savoury edge.
Drink now with scallop crudo, or cellar up to seven years to let the edges knit and savoury notes deepen.
Maker
In the late 1800s, Tasmania's vineyards faced a stark fate as many were uprooted, deemed too cold for wine grape production, while workers flocked to the Victorian gold rush. It wasn’t until the mid-1950s that Claudio Alcorso breathed new life into the Tasmanian wine industry, planting 90 Riesling vines sourced from David Wynn in South Australia. By 1976, Alcorso, along with the Pirie brothers, established the first Pinot Noir vineyard in the region.
In 1986, Bernard McKay, then owner of Lowestoft, was invited to plant vines for Alcorso’s Moorilla Winery, located on the site that is now Mona. The 3-hectare plot was dedicated entirely to Pinot Noir, using cuttings from Moorilla. Following the sale of Moorilla, viticulturist Fred Peacock began sourcing some of Lowestoft's grapes for his Bream Creek Reserve Pinot Noir, with the remainder sold to Treasury Wines and others. Fast forward to 2017, when Peter Fogarty, founder and Executive Chairman of Fogarty Wine Group, turned his passion for world-class Pinot Noir towards Tasmania’s cool climate. It was during this period that Fogarty first recognized the historic Lowestoft property, ultimately acquiring it in 2019, alongside two other esteemed vineyards - Strelley Farm and Gilling Brook.
The Vineyard
The Lowestoft homestead stands as one of Tasmania’s oldest treasures, constructed between 1839 and 1850. This stunning property graces the banks of the picturesque Derwent River, offering breathtaking views of the renowned Mona museum and art gallery, as well as Moorilla Winery. The Lowestoft vineyard itself is a compact and densely planted 3-hectare site (8300 vines per ha), featuring some of the oldest Pinot Noir plantings in Tasmania. Established in 1986, its grapes are among the most sought after in the region. Nestled just 15 minutes northwest of Hobart in the Derwent Valley subregion, the vineyard benefits from low rainfall of 400–500mm and cool temperatures that promote a long, even ripening period for its exceptional fruit. Given the vineyard's small size, the team is strategically sourcing the finest fruit parcels from select growers across various subregions, including Huon Valley, Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, and Tamar Valley.
With a focus on producing luxury, Burgundy-style wines, Lowestoft represents the pinnacle of Tasmanian winemaking. Under the expertise of Chief Winemaker Liam McElhinney, the Lowestoft wines have been awarded 16 Trophies and 42 Gold Medals in the four years since the wines were first released. These awards include the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy, all of the ‘Best Pinot Noir’ Trophies at four major Australian wine shows, as well as Lowestoft being crowned the country’s best Pinot Noir producer in the Halliday Wine Companion 2023.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Flint and citrus
Fresh grapefruit, citrus zest and struck match with cashew and oak spice.
PALATE
– Textured and driven
Mealy with ripe nectarine and citrus, cut by a sharp line of acidity and mineral precision.
FINISH
– Long and poised
Sustained length, fine texture, and savoury grip.
Reviews & Accolades
It's like an orchestra; you can hear it as a whole but are able to delineate and pick out individual instruments... – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points (2024)
Tasmania's most exciting new label – James Halliday Wine Companion
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Tasmania
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.0%
Closure - Screwcap