Six Friends
The historic Burnside property at Orielton had been a home to grazing and cropping for more than 150 years before six friends sat around a dinner table and decided it was time for a change. Time for Pinot Noir. Sticking closely to the notion that 'friends don't let friends do silly things alone,' all six prepared a north-facing site.
They erected trellises. Decided on their mix of planting material. Pinot Noir of unknown origins from Moorilla Estate and Craigow Vineyard. Certified clonal selections of 8048, 777, 115, D5V12 and MV6.
It took six years – from 2003 to 2008 – for the friends to plant their one-hectare vineyard. Sixteen years for Six Friends to win their first Tasmanian Wine Show Trophy. One more to win again in 2020.
Time, patience, commitment. They're the essential ingredients for top quality Pinot Noir, says Burnside owner Tim Dunbabin.
Perhaps Tim knew that all along? Six generations of Dunbabins have farmed in the region since John Dunbabin first arrived there as a convict in 1830.
Then – as now – Jurassic dolerite and sandy clay loams provided foundations for farming success. Generation upon generation of Dunbabins laboured through challenging, low-rainfall growing seasons.
But it took six close friends to give cool climate viticulture a go on the edge of the Coal River Valley.
Rich history has its rewards. You just have to wait a while.
Key principals:
- Penny Dunbabin (deceased): owner/director
- Tim and Hannah Dunbabin: owner/director
- Ian and Brigid Ritchie: owner/director
- David and Michele Dunbabin: owner/director
- Hamish and Angus Dunbabin: owner/director
- Alain Rousseau: senior (contract) winemaker, Frogmore Creek Wines
Vineyard/cellar door address:
Burnside, 3620 Tasman Highway, Orielton TAS 7172
Tastings and visits by appointment only.
Telephone:
Tim Dunbabin: +61 (0) 458 555 325
Email:
info@sixfriends.com.au
Website:
www.sixfriends.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for Six Friends highlight the marginal nature of growing conditions here. Consider sites in the nearby Coal River Valley: e.g. Domaine A (MJT 17.8°C; 1154 GDD) and Jansz Pontos Hill Vineyard and Winery (MJT 17.8°C; 1155 GDD).
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, Orielton 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 635mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 353mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 143mm
- Mean January temperature: 15.9°C
- Growing degree-days: 786 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: 29
*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