Overview
An exceptional, small-production Chardonnay from Tasmania's Tamar Valley, the 2025 Holyman Chardonnay showcases the precision, concentration and mineral elegance of Joe Holyman's cool-climate winemaking. Awarded 96+ points by Halliday Wine Companion, this highly regarded release combines white peach, grapefruit and citrus with refined oak spice, savoury complexity and a long, saline finish.
Produced entirely from mature estate-grown vines planted in 1986, the wine is fermented in 100% new French oak, delivering impressive depth and texture while retaining freshness, clarity and remarkable ageing potential.
Vineyard
The fruit is sourced exclusively from a 0.75-hectare Chardonnay block at the Stoney Rise estate in Gravelly Beach, overlooking Tasmania's Tamar River. Established in 1986, these mature vines were 39 years old in 2025 and are cultivated without irrigation. Low yields and careful vineyard management contribute to the concentration and distinctive character of the wine.
The vineyard lies less than one kilometre from the Tamar River, benefiting from the maritime influence and cool-climate conditions of northern Tasmania.
Winemaking
Holyman Chardonnay is crafted with a minimal-intervention philosophy, allowing the quality of the estate-grown fruit to remain central to the wine. The Chardonnay is whole-bunch pressed and naturally fermented in 100% new French oak puncheons, contributing depth, refined oak character and structural complexity. The wine is bottled without fining.
Critic Reviews
96+/100 — Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
“a beautiful core of fruit, a sapid, saline mineral cadence and a chalky textural arc of travel”
Tasted 09 September 2026
Producer
Stoney Rise Wine Company is a family-owned winery established by Joe and Lou Holyman in Tasmania's Tamar Valley in 2004. The couple acquired a vineyard originally planted in 1986, recognising the potential of its mature vines and exceptional cool-climate location near the Tamar River. A purpose-built winery followed in 2008.
With a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Stoney Rise produces wines that express the distinctive character of northern Tasmania. Vineyard management emphasises soil health, careful fruit selection and minimal intervention. The premium Holyman range is produced from select estate vineyard parcels, representing the winery's most structured, complex and cellar-worthy expressions.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2025
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Producer: Stoney Rise Wine Company
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Range: Holyman
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Country: Australia
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Region: Tasmania, Tamar Valley
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Grape Variety: Chardonnay
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Vineyard: Estate Vineyard, Gravelly Beach
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Vineyard Area: 0.75 Hectares
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Vine Age: 39 Years (Planted 1986)
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Viticulture: Non-Irrigated, Low Cropping
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Wine Style: Still White Wine
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Sweetness: Dry
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Alcohol: 12.5%
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Pressing: Whole Bunch Pressed
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Fermentation: Natural Fermentation
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Oak: 100% New French Oak Puncheons
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Fining: Unfined
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Drinking Window: 2026–2036
