Great friends and fellow wine-loving barristers, Greg Melick and Francis Douglas, had been interested in acquiring or establishing a vineyard for many years.  In 2002 Greg finally found the ideal site which consisted of approximately 14 hectares of grazing land on well-drained north east facing slopes, with cracking clay over a calciferous base.  The site was also frost free.

Robert Drew was contracted to establish the original vineyard for planting - which has now been planted with 2.9 hectares of Riesling and 3.8 hectares of Pinot Noir.

In 2006 the demands of the expanding vineyard, and Robert Drew’s own very successful vineyard, necessitated the appointment of full-time viticulturist Paul Smart.

Paul is also a talented winemaker and the Pinot Noir is made on-site with the assistance of a Vaslin Bucher basket press and the wise counsel and assistance of neighbour and Morningside winemaker Peter Bosworth.  All Pressing Matters’ Rieslings are made under the supervision of Julian Alcorso at Winemaking Tasmania.  

In 2008, the tyranny of distance finally took its toll on Francis who sold his interest, but not before Greg and he decided to name the vineyard, Pressing Matters, which was inspired by a print by Tasmanian artist, Tom Samek.  It was only fitting that Tom also design the label.

AWARDS AND MEDALS

Production remains low but is slowly increasing and to date we have enjoyed outstanding success when exhibiting.  Recent results include:

2012 Tasmanian Wine Show -

         Trophy - Most Successful Exhibitor

         Trophy - Best Riesling

         Trophy - Best Museum Wine

2011 Royal Hobart Wine Show -

         Trophy - Most Successful Tasmanian Exhibitor                                  

         Trophy - Best Sweet Wine of Show

2011 Tasmanian Wine Show -

         Trophy - Most Successful Exhibitor 

         Trophy - Best Wine of Show

         Trophy - Best Riesling

         Trophy - Best 2010 Wine

Although Pinot volumes remained too low to exhibit until the 2008 vintage which won a Silver medal, we continue to increase production and achieved two gold medals at the 2011 Royal Hobart Wine Show and a gold at the 2012 Tasmanian Wine Show.  All our wines have won at least a silver medal and we have won 18 trophies and 30 gold medals over the past three years.

As a result of many favourable reviews extensive enquiries have been received from retailers and restaurants but it is our policy, where possible, to hold wines back from release until they have had a chance to start fulfilling their true potential. However, most of our range will be available forpurchase from our website.