Mewstone Wines

Brothers Matthew and Jonathan (Jonny) Hughes established Mewstone Vineyard on the banks of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in the tiny hamlet of Flowerpot in 2011. The vineyard is planted on a former cherry orchard, the original 2ha since expanded to 5.2ha consisting mainly of pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay. Jonny is the winemaker in this family venture; he studied winemaking in NZ before working in Langhorne Creek, Central Otago, Mornington Peninsula, Barolo, Hunter Valley and Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Heading home to Tasmania, Jonny worked in various roles within the local wine industry before settling in as the assistant winemaker at Moorilla Estate for 7 years. With the vineyard established to produce the single-site Mewstone wines, the brothers have embarked on a 2nd label, Hughes & Hughes, which focuses on Tasmania as a whole. Purchasing quality grapes from other local vineyards, this label uses slightly unconventional winemaking techniques that Jonny encountered on his world travels. Small-batch production means he can put maximum effort in. Best New Winery in the Wine Companion 2019. -JAMES HALLIDAY