Agriculture is constantly challenging, often rewarding, and always inspiring for us. It’s where science and art meet that makes us tick. At our core we are fruit growers, and owing to the cool climate of the Huon, we have been able to produce a variety of flavourful, colourful fruits over many seasons. Not one to shy away from innovation, in the 1990’s John experimented with growing truffles and went on to plant one of the first commercial cherry orchards in Tasmania. It was not until 2015 that an enduring curiosity of establishing a vineyard got the better of us. We propagated select clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to suit our site and planted three hectares, vowing to keep it ‘small and beautiful’, and we have.
Maintaining healthy soils and vines is always at the fore of what we do, and with much hand work balancing the vines, we now produce optimum low yields of exceptional quality fruit.
As the vines matured, we supplied winemakers with the grapes cultured to their specifications, and it turns out those wines are delicious. Naturally, our next foray is right here producing our own wine label, Frankcomb.
We are so fortunate to have our wines made within a stone’s throw of the vineyard where each clone is fermented and matured separately in small batches. This enables us to critically taste and craft the most desirable blend prior to bottling, lending each vintage the best expression of the site and season.
John -
The original Frankcomb property, Clifton, was a major producer of apples and hops that were exported around the globe. From convict beginnings in the 1850’s to hosting the British Royal family in 1970, the farm was significant to many families of the Huon Valley, providing a bustling hub of activity around the small town of Ranelagh each harvest season.
As farms evolve over time, today John and Hilda Frankcomb and their daughter, Selina are farming part of the old family property known to locals as “The Glen.” Their focus has shifted from a large scale, export operation to a boutique, small scale producer of premium grapes and wine.
Selina inherited her love of wine from her dad, who has always appreciated a special drop. The pair of them have travelled the world, often with a backpack, and the further off the beaten track the better.
“Dad has travelled almost every year of his life,” said Selina, “and I think years of experiencing different wines from a variety of regions and vignerons has not only heightened his love of wine, but increased his interest in it.”
“And from farming this land for so many years, he has that innate understanding of our site and how it interacts with the climate… the soil, the aspect, the seasons. I think his love of travel and experience of different cultures, combined with his appreciation for this land and our farm has culminated in this vineyard and our wine,” she says
Selina -
For Selina, who studied viticulture, it’s about honouring the Frankcomb legacy, but it’s also about the Huon Valley.
“This farm isn’t just special to me because our family has farmed it for generations. It’s the beauty of this valley. It’s the clear water of Mountain River, it’s our awe-inspiring mountain, Sleeping Beauty. We live in such a beautiful place and I’m just so grateful to be a custodian of this farm in this valley.”
John and Selina are excited about the quality of the grapes their beloved farm has produced.
“I hope our story is reflected in every bottle and the unique expressions of our wine,” said Selina. “Our site is proving itself, and site is everything to a winemaker."
