Craigie Knowe Vineyard

Craigie Knowe – at Cranbrook – is steeped in history. Long before it became known for the coast's oldest vineyard, the property was home to the pioneering Amos family, who arrived in Hobart in 1821. Its centrepiece today is a quaint colonial homestead, built around 1842 by James Amos. 

Located on a rocky/craggy knoll – or 'craigie knowe' (Gaelic) – it gives the vineyard its distinctive name.

Vines became part of the landscape when Hobart dentist John Austwick planted Cabernet Sauvignon there in 1979. Later additions of Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir brought Craigie Knowe plantings to 5ha.

The vineyard's first vintage – 1983 – produced just 11 bottles of red. The next received lavish praise from renowned author/critic, Robin Bradley. 

Austwick was off to the races. Indeed, he devoted 30 good years to Craigie Knowe before two rapid changes in ownership brought the Travers family to the lean and hungry site in 2013.

Their ambitious restoration and re-development program soon struck paydirt. At the 2017 Australian Pinot Noir Challenge, the vineyard's 2015 vintage won gold. The 2016 Riesling then earned a coveted Elite Gold (96+points) at the 2016 Canberra International Riesling Challenge.

The family's desire to add Chardonnay and Pinot Gris to their portfolio prompted further expansion and new (in 2017) leasehold arrangements at a neighbouring vineyard, Glen Heriot.

Now less than four years from celebrating five decades, Craigie Knowe is set for a bright future. With quality viticulture driving traditional method sparkling and dry table wines, Glenn and Alex Travers have an ace up their sleeves. An innovative, family-friendly approach to marketing and cellar door tourism. It won a major award for customer service at the 2024 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards.

Craigie Knowe-how.

Key principals:

• Glenn Travers: owner/operator
• Alex Travers: owner/operator
• Matt Woods: contract winemaker, Spring Vale

Vineyard/cellar door address:

80 Glen Gala Rd, Cranbrook TAS 7190

Telephone:

+61 (0) 499 901 109

Email:

enquiries@craigieknowe.com.au

Website:

www.craigieknowe.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 Glen Gala Road, Cranbrook, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 623mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 388mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 145mm
• Mean January temperature: 17.5°C
• Growing degree-days: 1090 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: 8

*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: August 2025