Sailor Seeks Horse (NSW & Victoria)

This tiny vineyard is one of Australia’s most southerly located in the Huon valley in southern Tasmania. Paul and Gilli Lipscombe own the vineyard and make the wines and both have considerable vineyard and winemaking experience behind them including winning the Jimmy Watson trophy for Home Hill where they have been the winemakers in recent years. From working together in the Languedoc to New Zealand, Oregon and Margaret River they spent a lot of time researching and considering the best possible vineyard site with the aim  to produce Australia’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay finally settling on this ideal north facing vineyard which is sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds. Best described as a warm site within a cool climate, the soil is free-draining quartz inflected mudstone soil over clay. The vineyard is planted to a large variety of Dijon clones as well as numerous other clones planted by the previous owners and all vineyard work is done as organically as possible. In 2019 a new planting including some Trousseau has been made on the steep north-west facing slope beside the main vineyard block.

So to the name, where does that come from? There was a handwritten sign on the wall at the Red Velvet Lounge in Cygnet, our local coffee and cake respite from the Tasmanian weather. It said, “Sailor Seeks Horse” and went on to explain that the author had sailed solo around the world and ridden across the US from coast to coast and back again…on a mule. He’d then decided he wanted to travel around Tasmania by horse but didn’t have one. So, was there anyone who would lend him one? If they didn’t have a horse then a pony would do. It was an idea that resonated with us. Here we were, trying to do something a little bit crazy, without much money and requiring a little bit of help to get to where we wanted to be.

Vintage 2021
‘In many ways it was probably the most typical of all of our harvests down here in the Huon. Wet, cold and windy to start, warm in the middle and a gentle easing into harvest. Though perhaps that last bit puts a shiny complexion on the tail-end of the season…

As per usual, flowering wasn’t ideal and the shoots took a bit of a battering in the winds but as we moved into summer the rain ceased and the sun returned after a 24-month absence. 

The season ticked along without much fuss until we approached picking time. After an arid summer, a 60mm rain event came a couple of weeks before harvest and split some of the smaller berries (‘chicks’). This was somewhat stressful but fortunately, they dried up soon after and we were thankful to the Lubianas for lending us a ‘shaker table’ that removes those shriveled berries as they move along it after being destemmed. It's often the 'one-percenters' that elevate the wines to a different level in these years. 

Much like 2018, this release is one we're quietly confident about and hope that you enjoy as much as us!’ Gilli and Paul Lipscombe.

2021 Sailor Seeks Horse Chardonnay - SOLD OUT
From four Dijon clones (95, 96, 76 & 277) in two sections of the vineyard over 2 hectares in 2010.
‘Whole bunch pressed, settled, 12 months in oak, 20% new, unfined – typically saline/mineral, balance’ Gilli Lipscombe.

2021 Chardonnay Huldufolk - SOLD OUT
“Whole bunch pressed straight to oak, 15 months in barrel, 50% new, unfined – saline but allied with depth, texture, generosity“ Gilli Lipscombe.

2021 Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir - SOLD OUT
‘Low yields, gently plunged twice a day, touch of whole bunch, 12 months in oak – red and blue fruits, hint of earthiness, graphite-like tannin.’ Gilli Lipscombe.

2021 Pinot Noir Huldufolk - SOLD OUT
The name means hidden people in Icelandic and has its origins in 19th century folklore. This certainly is a hidden gem - if you are one of the lucky people to get one of just 277 bottles. In future this label may be used for exceptional parcels of either Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.
”115 clone, 15 months in oak – elegant, superfine tannin, high-toned spice” Gilli Lipscombe.