Anim Wines
When 21-year-old amateur photographer Max Marriott flew out of Brisbane headed for New Zealand, it was a career-defining moment. He fell in love with the place. Months later, he went back to explore its wine regions. That prompted Marriott to ditch his course in mechanical and aerospace engineering and stay on to study viticulture and oenology.
His first year at Lincoln University was followed by vineyard work at renowned Felton Road. It offered chapter and verse on Pinot Noir and introduced Marriott to organic and biodynamic viticulture.
Internship at Tamar Ridge for the 2006 vintage brought Tasmania and hands-on winemaking into focus.
In 2017, the lure of creating distinctive cool climate Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir brought Marriott back to the State permanently. He began a family and a business with his wife Siobhan.
Marriott's journey along the way had included six vintages (2009-2014) of making critically acclaimed Central Otago Riesling, as well as vintage experiences in Burgundy, the Mosel Valley and Oregon. The latter included a stint at Chapter 24 Vineyards. It was a life-changing, terroir-driven role that deepened his respect for site expression and minimal intervention winemaking.
In 2018, the new kids on the block released the first of their Anim Wines. The label takes its name from daughters Audrey, Niamh and Imogen.
Subsequent years have seen the brand grow, with thought, care, precision and sustainability very much in evidence. Marriott somehow combines a management role at Clarence House Vineyard with hands-on viticulture at six leased sites around Hobart: Tinderbox Vineyard and Windrush Vineyard (D'Entrecasteaux Channel); Clarence House Estate, Cornwall Vineyard and Observatory Hill (Coal River Valley); Otago Bay Vineyard (Derwent Valley).
The former Queenslander may be a winemaker by profession but Anim is rooted in principles of making wines from the ground up – farming leased properties organically in order to create wines that are truly unique and expressive of their site.
The Anim portfolio encompasses a range of styles and varieties: from Pet Nat and experimental field blends to single vineyard Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir.
Participants in Wine South's annual Spring in the Vines and Southern Open Vineyards Weekend typically make a beeline to the Marriott family's pop-up cellar door in the the Channel to ensure they can grab their share before the wines quickly disappear.
Young Gun of Wine finalist recognition in 2021 and 2022 signalled growing industry and consumer respect for his innovative, vineyard-led wines.
More 'watch this space' than aerospace.
Key details:
- Max Marriott: owner/operator
- Siobhan Marriott: owner/operator
Vineyard/cellar door address:
No cellar door. Search Anim Wines on social media for tastings and events
Telephone:
+61 (0) 400 203 865
Email:
max@animwine.com
Website:
www.animwine.com
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites contributing to Anim Wines highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Consider: Windrush Vineyard (MJT 16.5°C; 901 GDD); Tinderbox Vineyard (MJT 17.3°C; 1088 GDD); Clarence House Vineyard (MJT 17.7°C; 1149 GDD).
Vineyard sites on the Australian mainland are far warmer than those in Tasmania.
South Australia's Piccadilly Valley* (MJT 20.4°C; 1730 GDD) and Macedon Ranges* (MJT 19.9°C; 1365 GDD) in Victoria are regarded as the coolest GIs in their respective States.
Climate data* for Tinderbox, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 661mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 368mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 150mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.3°C
- Growing degree-days: 1088 GDD
- Average no of hot days (35°C or more) per year: 1
- Average no of cold days (minimum 4°C or less) Sept 1-April 30: 9
*Source: My Climate View, utilising past data from the Bureau of Meteorology and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Funded by the Australian Government.
Last page update: January 2026