Brothers Matthew and Jonathan Hughes established Mewstone vineyard more than a decade ago on the banks of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. This picturesque locale about 40 minutes south of Hobart is where they nurture intensely flavoured and naturally elegant cool-climate wines.
 
Jonny is the winemaker and ex-banker Matthew is co-founder and manager. They were a formidable pair in childhood backyard cricket and it seems they’re equally successful in the realm of premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. They have transformed a former cherry orchard to an award-winning cellar door with a focus on minimal intervention to their single-site wines.
 
A visit to the cellar door is a journey through the family’s commitment to a vibrant ecosystem under the vines – translating to quality fruit. Guided tastings feature eight or nine wines that move with the seasons. 

The vineyard is entirely hand pruned and hand picked by family and friends – things are done the old-fashioned Tassie way in these parts, with everyone rolling up their sleeves.
 
It’s best to book a guided tasting; each seated experience is hosted by a member of the Mewstone team. Find out about Jonny’s winemaking studies and travels throughout New Zealand, Italy, Canada and mainland Australia before returning to Tassie and working as an assistant winemaker at Moorilla. He also makes wines under the Hughes & Hughes label, where he can be even more daring, with a range that features lo-fi living wines with no sulphur added. These small-scale creations he’s particularly chuffed with. If you’re lucky, he may just be onsite to run you through a tasting.
 
11 Flowerpot Jetty Rd, Flowerpot
mewstonewines.com.au
0435 866 771
[email protected]
Open Friday – Sunday 11.00am – 4.00pm (bookings recommended)