Glendale Estate

Vineyards are like children. They need dedicated nurturing, active encouragement and a neat mix of careful guidance and restraint. For Chris and Cassie Payne, Glendale Estate at Sidmouth embodies the intersection of the two – adolescent vines and even younger children, all of them growing, part of a shared journey in a beautiful valley.

The West Tamar is a world away from the one the couple left behind. Prior to purchasing the property in December 2018, the Paynes had high pressure jobs in the US. Native Californian Cassie worked in corporate event management in Los Angeles, while husband Chris was a company chief financial officer.

In a move that sounds like something from the 1960s, the couple dropped out and switched on to a new life, creating a young family and raising kids in a clean and green environment in northern Tasmania. For Chris Payne, it was a return to his home State.

Glendale Estate has a rich history. It was established back in the 1890s and became the site of a large orchard when Tasmania was known as the Apple Isle. Former farm structures including an ageing apple packing shed – and a cottage built for Italian POWs in World War II – have since been re-purposed, helping to breathe new life into the property.

Vines entered the picture after previous owners Andrew and Prue O'Shanesy swapped raising cattle in Queensland for raising vines in Tasmania. Andrew re-trained as a viticulturist and immersed himself in vineyard management before taking on an established 5ha site at Kayena and making a fresh start at Sidmouth in 2012.

Their passion project produced traditional method sparkling wine as well as single varietal table wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, all of which were sold under the Wines For Joanie label.

The Paynes moved in during early 2019, with Chris taking up viticulture and winemaking in order to create estate-grown wines that are handcrafted with minimal intervention. Meanwhile, Cassie put her marketing and event management skills to good use, refining and re-defining the property's offerings to comprise a charming, rustic vineyard cellar door that becomes a visitor hub during food, wine and hospitality events, including carefully curated wedding receptions.

Fast-forwarding to 2025 sees the property replete with a striking family home, fully restored cottage accommodation and a 60ha working mixed farm that maintains 50 head of cattle.

The gently sloping Tamar Valley vineyard blocks enjoy a mild temperate, maritime climate with long, cool ripening and moderately fertile clay‑gravel soils that contribute structure and a subtle minerally edge to Glendale Estate wines. Traditional method vintage sparkling and small batch Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the core offerings, supported by Pinot Noir Rosé and Sweet Riesling.

Somehow, the Paynes also devote time to four young children who are having the time of their lives.

Key principals:

• Chris Payne: co-owner/vigneron

• Cassie Payne: co-owner/assistant winemaker and hospitality/events manager

Vineyard/cellar door address:

163 Glendale Rd, Sidmouth TAS 7270

Telephone:

+61 (0) 488 033 492

Email:

cellardoor@glendaletasmania.com

Website:

www.glendaletasmania.com

Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.

Climate data* comparisons of vineyards in the Tamar Valley, the Coal River Valley and on the East Coast suggest the Tamar Valley is among the warmest wine-growing areas in Tasmania. There appears little difference between Peco Wines (MJT 18.0°C; 1173 GDD) and - say - Pooley Butchers Hill in the Coal River Valley (MJT 17.9°C; 1178 GDD) or Freycinet Vineyard on the East Coast (MJT 17.6°C; 1127 GDD).

However, rainfall in the north is significantly higher.

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 Glendale Road, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 852mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 387mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 194mm
• Mean January temperature: 18.0°C
• Growing degree-days: 1182 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: 13

*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: October 2025