Leven Valley Vineyard
Leven Valley Vineyard - at Gunns Plains, 25km southeast of Ulverstone - sprang into life as Moonrakers when former Sydney couple Steve and Diana Usher planted 0.5ha of Chardonnay and 0.5ha of Pinot Noir in 1997. The vines - and a little viticultural advice – came from Delamere founder Dr Richard Richardson.
Moderately steep north-facing slopes here enjoy good sunlight exposure in this picturesque valley. Grape-growing can be challenging, however. Barely 30km south lies Black Bluff (1339m), one of Tasmania's highest mountains. Local weather patterns – no matter what time of year – can be unpredictable. Katabatic winds and valley mists are almost commonplace.
Several changes in ownership – firstly to the Weatherly family (2003) and then to the Dontschuks (2012) – brought Terri and Trenton Seager to what had become Leven Valley Vineyard in April 2022. Now replete with 1.5ha of mature vines and well-established management regimes, the site has been a beneficiary of recent and significant changes to climate.
Free-draining deep red/black clay loams over limestone provide a great medium for vine growth. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir harvests are not only among the latest in Tasmania, they are among the latest anywhere in Australia. But long hang-times produce wines with great fruit intensity, moderate alcohol and food-friendly acidity.
Vintage Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir table wines can be enjoyed at the cellar door alongside local/regional artisan produce. Reverse BYO and BYO BBQ are welcome. Periodic wine/chocolate taste explorations take place under the guidance of a local chocolatier.
Key principals:
Terri Seager, owner/operator
Trenton Seager, owner/operator
Vineyard/cellar door address:
321 Raymond Rd, Gunns Plains TAS 7315
Telephone:
+61 (3) 6429 1140
Email:
info@levenvalleyvineyard.com.au
Website:
www.levenvalleyvineyard.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites in North West Tasmania highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Consider: White Rock Vineyard (MJT 17.7°C; 1081 GDD) and Leven Valley Vineyard (MJT 15.3°C; 701 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 Gunns Plains, 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 1270mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 533mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 271mm
- Mean January temperature: 15.3°C
- Growing degree-days: 701 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: 35
*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