The Holyman family had been involved in vineyards in Tasmania for 20 years, but Joe Holyman's career in the wine industry, first as a sales rep, then as a wine buyer, and more recently working in wineries in NZ, Portugal, France, Mount Benson and Coonawarra, gave him an exceptionally broad-based understanding of wine. In 2004 Joe and wife Lou purchased the former Rotherhythe Vineyard, which had been established in 1986, and set about restoring it to its former glory. There are two ranges: the Stoney Rise wines, focusing on fruit and early drinkability, and the Holyman wines, with more structure, more new oak and the best grapes, here the focus on length and potential longevity.

Cherry, dark raspberry, mint and earth, a spicy cinnamon and floral perfume too. It’s medium-bodied, well-etched with fine but firm tannin, quite ‘minerally’ too, an Earl Grey tea and floral mouth-perfume, crisp yet strict on a finish of excellent length. Oak shows a bit at present, though it won’t later. Very good. Tasted: Oct 2025; Alcohol: 12%; Price: $65.00; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2026-2036+; Rated: 95 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front