Providence Vineyards

Having a lot of experience in meteorology as a military pilot he researched, mapping the climate in each area from 1939 to 1976. Interestingly, before the outbreak of WWII, details of weather in Australia were largely confined to major population centres or simply basic readings of regional temperature. Having done this and having enough graph pape... r to wallpaper a large room, he considered Tasmania as worth some further research. This led to a trip to Tasmania in 1976 and the discovery of what was then La Provence Vineyards. Following an attempt to create a small vineyard on a property at Nabowla, about 20 Kms north of La Provence a meeting with a colleague, Gavin Scott, a once part owner of La Provence, led to an additional look at that property. In 1979 Stuart made an offer to the then sole owner and in January 1980 took possession of the vineyard. The objective to make the best expression of Tasmanian Pinot Noir. In 1985, following a move to Tasmania with the RAAF as Senior Air Force Officer the neighbouring property was purchased. Originally an old apple orchard new-plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were undertaken. This also included extending the original Miguet plantings. Notwithstanding the additions, Providence is a boutique specialist vineyard and all wines made on site. Concentration is on producing the best Tasmanian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and that is exemplified in the show successes recorded. Most significantly, Providence holds the honour of winning the Australian Gourmet Pages National Pinot Challenge both sections (wine against wine and wine with food) twice. This achievement has yet to be matched and Providence is forbidden from re-entering that wine! From 1980 to 1985 grapes from the vineyard were sold to Graham Wiltshire of Heemskerk fame and the recognised father of Pinot Noir in Tasmania. From 1986 to 1993 Heemskerk made wines under contract for La Provence/Providence Vineyards. The relationship with Graham Wiltshire was intrinsic in Providence focussing on excellence in ...Read More