Grey Sands
During the 1980s, Bob and Rita Richter spent three years travelling Europe's best-known vineyards in search of expressive, terroir-driven wines. Inspired by their experiences, they returned home to Australia to investigate potential cool-climate vineyard sites.
In 1987, the couple moved to northern Tasmania to take up dentistry and pharmacy positions. They established their Grey Sands hobby horse at Glengarry some two years later.
The Richters were attracted to their Tamar Valley site by its shallow, low-fertility soils. Grey sandy loam, with outcrops of heavier soils marked by yellow sand and black cracking clay. Subsequent close-planting (8000+ vines/ha) and variations in slope and aspect added further grist to the mill.
A one-size-fits-all approach to viticulture is not part of the Richters' management plan. Instead, low vine vigour and modest yields (< 1kg/vine) are seen as necessary trade-offs in the quest for characterful, age-worthy wines.
The vineyard's current release wines always have a few years' bottle age to them. That's when consumers can first begin to enjoy them, say the owners.
Grey Sands spans 3.5 hectares.
More than two dozen varieties support the vineyard's eclectic mix of scrupulously dry, savoury table wines. Chardonnay, Malvasia, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Viognier hold sway among the whites. Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Shiraz/Syrah loom large among the reds. UK publication Decanter described the latter variety as an 'impressive example' in its January 2026 issue, noting it as 'a ferrous, almost sinewy expression.'
Bob Richter completed his Graduate Diploma in Wine at Adelaide's Roseworthy Agricultural College back in the mid-1980s. It was his way of seeing his vineyard role from both sides of the fence – growing and making. More than 30 vintages have been completed. Along the way, a small number of highly-skilled contract winemakers contributed to Grey Sands' formidable reputation for quality.
Grey Sands Pinot Gris and Merlot made names for themselves in the early 2000s. Back then, both varieties were minor players in the State's emerging wine industry. James Halliday described the latter as 'Tasmania's best varietal Merlot' in his 2011 review of the 2006 Grey Sands. Not to be overshadowed, the 2006 Pinot Noir was awarded 95 points by the industry doyen.
The Bordeaux-inspired 2015 Grey Sands 'The Mattock' was listed among Winestate Magazine's Best Wines of 2020.
Now into the fourth decade of their passion project, the Richters continue to make long-term plans for their vineyard's future. Existing red blends Romanesque and The Mattock will be re-jigged to make room for a third string to be added to the Grey Sands' bow. It will be a new product, based on red grape varieties from the Iberian Peninsula.
Watch this space.
"I have no doubt that this is one of the most significant sites in Tasmania." (Jeremy Oliver, author/critic.)
Key details:
- Bob Richter: owner/operator
- Rita Richter: owner/operator
Vineyard/cellar door address:
6 Kerrisons Rd, Glengarry TAS 7275
Telephone:
+61 (0) 407 961 167
Email:
info@greysands.com.au
Website:
www.greysands.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites in the Tamar Valley highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Consider: Utzinger Wines (MJT 17.5°C; 1021 GDD) and Evenfall (MJT 18.4°C; 1230 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 Glengarry, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 899mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 409mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 200mm
- Mean January temperature: 17.3°C
- Growing degree-days: 983 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: 30
*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