Believe the hype: Tasting Tasmania with Tolpuddle – Friday 25th September

As Australia continues to champion more nuanced wines from its cool-climate sites, no region is more on-trend than Tasmania. And no Tasmanian producer is more lauded than Tolpuddle.

At less than 1% of its total production, Tasmania’s position within the Australian wine canon is tiny. That 1% in volume translates to 6% in value, however, reflecting its increasing status and influence within the fine-wine world. The state’s cool maritime climate lends itself particularly to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the island has become synonymous with wines of freshness, precision and finesse.

It was just that potential that Michael Hill-Smith AM MW recognised when he visited Tasmania with his business partner Martin Shaw on a tour of its vineyards in 2011. Intending to buy nothing more than lunch, the pair returned to the mainland having put in an offer on the Tolpuddle Vineyard in Coal River Valley, 20 minutes’ drive from Hobart, which had been planted in 1988.

The first vintage under the new ownership was 2016, and today, says Hill-Smith, ‘We believe Tolpuddle Vineyard to be one of Australia’s great single-vineyard sites.’

The first Australian to quality as a Master of Wine, back in 1988, Michael Hill-Smith is the co-founder of Shaw + Smith, MMAD Vineyard and Tolpuddle Vineyard. Co-chair of the Decanter World Wine Awards, in 2008 he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to the Australian Wine Industry.

Since joining Shaw + Smith in 2013, chief winemaker Adam Wadewitz has driven quality and sustainability initiatives, transitioning vineyards to organic practices, while overseeing critically acclaimed wines such as M3 Chardonnay and co-founding the MMAD Vineyard project in Blewitt Springs. Today he serves as joint CEO and chief winemaker across all three properties.

We are thrilled to welcome Michael and Adam to  the Club to present a range of wines from the last decade. We invite you to  join them to hear – and taste – what the Tasmanian fuss is all about.

The wines we’ll be tasting:
2017 Chardonnay, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River Valley, Tasmania
2020 Chardonnay, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River Valley, Tasmania
2023 Chardonnay, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River Valley, Tasmania
2025 Chardonnay, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River Valley, Tasmania
2017 Pinot Noir, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River  Valley, Tasmania
2020 Pinot Noir, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River Valley, Tasmania
2023 Pinot Noir, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River Valley, Tasmania
2025 Pinot Noir, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Coal River Valley, Tasmania

Friday 25th September
St. James’s Room
18:30 – Glass on arrival
19:00 – Masterclass starts
20:30 – Masterclass ends

Please note, tickets are refundable for cancellations up to 5 business days before the event. Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Any cancellations within 5 business days of the event are non-refundable unless 67 Pall Mall resells the ticket to another Member. This is only possible when the event is sold out and there is a waiting list.

Please note that once your order is placed, your ticket status will display as “processing” until after the event, when your member account is then charged. You will receive an email confirmation after ordering your tickets, stating that your order is being processed – please take this as full confirmation that your booking has been finalised. For any questions, please reach out to [email protected].