Bird in Hand
Growing up not far from Adelaide's historic Magill Estate, Andrew Nugent was a likely candidate for a career in viticulture or oenology. But over the three decades that have passed since he graduated from Roseworthy College, the Bird in Hand co-founder and executive director has achieved much more than growing grapes and making wine.
His family company's home base at Woodside Estate in the Adelaide Hills is not just a production site. The former run-down dairy farm has been sensitively restored and re-purposed, and boasts award-winning landscaped gardens with integrated artworks and a smart high-end restaurant.
In November 2020, Nugent set in place the first stage of an ambitious Tasmanian project with the purchase of a 160ha stretch of coastline at Seymour on the East Coast. The greenfield site at the edge of the renowned Douglas Apsley National Park is currently being transformed into a contemporary viticultural showpiece, managed according to industry best practice.
The planned 68ha vineyard will provide a home to more than just Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. By the time the project is completed, the Seymour site will be 'a pre-eminent wine destination with ambitious land art traversing these ancient soils.'
The latter are brown dermosols derived from Jurrasic dolerite. Ironstone scattered there readily retains heat, endowing the site with minimal spring frost risk and long slow ripening conditions in autumn.
A series of wildlife corridors will enable animals and birds to access a vast 16ha dam in addition to the neighbouring coastline and national park.
A date for completion has not been set, but Nugent isn't cooling his heels waiting.
In September 2024, Bird in Hand entered into long‑term leasing arrangements with the the owners of Waterton Hall in the Tamar Valley. (See separate profile.)
While the resident family label continues to operate from the same landscape, the 10ha vineyard and heritage barn at Rowella now act as Bird in Hand's Tasmanian base for premium functions and events, including weddings.
Management of Waterton's 'Nest' accommodation is also being handled by the Adelaide Hills team.
Waterton's three key varieties – Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir – currently provide the mainstay for Bird in Hand's evolving Tasmanian Series, which can be purchased online from the Adelaide Hills company.
From February 2026, wines in the Tasmanian Series can tasted and purchased at a new tasting room, restaurant and kiosk facility being developed at Hobart's renowned Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
The 2025 vintage Tasmanian Sparkling – a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – is already on sale in the UK, together with the company's 2024 releases of Tasmanian Riesling, Tasmanian Reserve Pinot Noir and Tasmanian Nouveau Pinot Noir.
Bird in Hand takes its name from an old gold mining operation that once occupied the Woodside property. Its Seymour prospects should bring equally rich rewards.
Key principals:
- Andrew Nugent: owner/executive director
- Susie Nugent: owner/director and garden designer
Sarah Burvill: senior winemaker
- Mandy Ward: Bird in Hand Winery events manager
Vineyard/cellar door address:
19595 Tasman Highway, Seymour TAS 7215
No visits. Tastings and sales at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens from February 2026
Telephone:
- Bird in Hand head office: +61 (8) 8389 9488
- Mandy Ward, Bird in Hand Winery: +61 (0) 427 650 262
Email:
- Head office: admin@@birdinhand.com.au
- Events: tasevents@birdinhand.com.au
Website:
www.birdinhand.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites on the East Coast highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Consider: Apsley Gorge (MJT 17.0°C; 988 GDD) and Milton Vineyard (MJT 18.0°C; 1196 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 Victoria's Macedon Ranges* (MJT 19.9°C; 1365 GDD) are regarded as the coolest GIs in their respective states.
Climate data* for Tasman Highway, Seymour 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 814mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 510mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 192mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.8°C
- Growing degree-days: 1190 GDD
- Average no of hot days (35°C or more) per year: 0
- Average no of cold days (minimum 4°C or less) Sept 1-April 30: 12
*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: November 2025