About Us

Dawson James was born of a friendship and winemaking partnership between Peter Dawson and Tim James. With a collective experience of more than 80 vintages, the opportunity of making world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay drew them to Tasmania.
“Wine that is made for love, not profit”

James Halliday AM, Weekend Australian Magazine , January 2012

A long term friendship with the Ellis family and association with the Meadowbank vineyard in the Derwent Valley in Southern Tasmania has enabled access to some of the most mature vines in the state. Now 15 years on from the first vintage of Dawson James, the single site wines continue to evolve and present as a pure expression of site combined with the grape variety.

“We remain utterly convinced that Australia’s finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir will be made in Tasmania and to be a part of that realisation is a challenge too great to resist.”

The cool and dry climate, hungry soils and 30 + year-old vines grow grapes with great depth of flavour and intensity of character. Our winemaking philosophy is based on picking fruit with a natural balance of flavour and acidity. A very simple approach to winemaking allows fruit quality to shine through.

We enjoy striving for greater quality, and achieving the ultimate expression of the grapes that we work with is an ongoing learning experience. We are driven by the belief that our best wines are yet to come.

COOL CLIMATE WINES

Our grapes are grown on the Meadowbank vineyard, approximately 60 kms northwest of Hobart. Its rugged topography is bounded by the fast flowing, pristine waters of the Derwent River. These grapes are used to create our unique Chardonnay and Pinot Noir single vineyard wines.

Shop now