Hartzview History

Hartzview Vineyard, Wine Centre & Homestead is a family business established, owned and operated by Robert and Anthea Patterson. Hartzview is a relaxing 45 minute drive south of Hobart, Tasmania, in the green and lush Huon Valley.

Hartzview Vineyard is an historic property which has produced small fruits since the early 1900s - many of the original pickers' huts still remain.

In the 1980s the Tasmanian wine industry was becoming recognised as producing a high quality product. The Pattersons', realising the proven production potential for intensive horticulture on their property, investigated the feasibility for wine grape production. Two years of climatic data recorded at Hartzview revealed similarities with the Champagne region in France. In 1988 Hartzview Vineyard was modelled on that district and the Pinot Noir vines were planted.

A background in environmental studies has had a significant influence on Robert's vineyard management philosophy. "We have been able to grow and downstream process in a way that enhances the environment for the tourist, using minimal fungicide and weedicide. Our Scott Henry trellis system allows for maximum sun exposure and ripening of the grapes. Most of the surrounding area can be mowed, and the clippings used as a weed suppressing and moisture retaining mulch under the trellises," Robert said. The vines were planted on slopes allowing good cold air drainage to prevent problems with frosts.

We use all-organic fertilisers. A fish based fertiliser provides for a broad spectrum of nutrients, with high nitrogen to compensate for the nitrogen-hungry mulch. During the summer, when the grapes are ripening, the whole vineyard needs to be netted to prevent birds eating the grapes - this increases costs, but is essential.

All aspects of vineyard management are labour intensive. Starting with the planting of the vines, training, pruning, topping, netting, and finally picking the grapes - at Hartzview ALL grapes are hand-picked.

Robert said: "During the establishment phase I embarked on an external studies viticulture and wine making course at Charles Sturt University, while Anthea undertook a wine marketing course with the University of Adelaide (Roseworthy Campus)." Robert said there were many aspects to the wine industry, viticulture (grape growing), wine making and marketing, and to be successful, you must consider carefully each of these aspects."

Robert, an environmental health officer, and Anthea a midwife, said they used their professions to put capital into the vineyard, and establish the business to provide full time employment for the family. Our business is certainly a family business, our costs are down due to our own labour and our three childrens' willingness to help, and we employ one other person part time, Robert said.