Hartzview distilling the essence of former fruit farm

Originally a fruit farm, historic Hartzview in the Huon Valley has expanded its wine range to include fortified port wines, gin and liqueur.

 The property was purchased by June Patterson in 1976 and has been farmed by her son, Rob, and his wife, Anthea, since 1988. They are now joined by their daughter, Sandy.

Anthea said Hartzview has become known for its ports and liqueur.

“We use small fruit to make them, which nobody else in the state does,’ she said.

“Fortified wines in Tasmania are a niche market.

“Because Tasmania is a bit too cold to grow grapes suitable to make port, we use blackcurrants and blackberries.”

Hartzview uses the French burgundy model because the climate there is similar to Tasmania’s.

“Our biggest seller is the spiced apple mead, which is made from honey and apples,” Anthea said.

“It is very Tasmanian and Huon Valley, and it covers a wide range of pallets because you can have it at room temperature, you can have it warmed in the winter, or you can make a cocktail with ginger beer and ice.

“Having all the products just extends our market.” 

Hartzview Vineyard is set on 50ha planted with pinot noir grapes, with all of the production done on site.

“We only grow grapes on the property now; we used to grow gooseberries, blackcurrants and raspberries, but now we buy fruit from other Tasmanian farms,” Anthea said.

“Other orchards are doing a good job, so if you’re doing all of the selling and processing, that’s enough.”

She said she would look to expand production to include whisky and brandy.

“The ports and liqueurs will keep going, and we will just be looking to extend distribution to the mainland.

“It’s very unusual to have pinot and make it into brandy, so that’s quite nice and special, and something we will look to do.”

Rob said he had aimed to grow Hartzview incrementally.

“We haven’t borrowed a lot of money and instead waited until we’ve got what we need to move to the next stage.

“We have a stall at Salamanca Market, as well as an online store, and they are very popular,” he said.

Succession planning is already in place at Hartzview, with Sandy set to take over the business and Rob and Anthea planning to take a step back.

Sandy’s daughter, Elizabeth Paul, has also expressed a desire to be part of the business and is on a school-based apprenticeship there at the moment as part of her grade 12 studies.