Ricky Evans is undoubtedly one of the trailblazers of the Tamar—and indeed of the modern Australian wine scene. His big break came in 2013 when he secured two prized tonnes of Tamar Valley Pinot Noir. This was no small feat; premium Tasmanian Pinot Noir is not easy to come by, as anyone will attest. However, it was a season marked by healthy yields, allowing Ricky to edge his way into a tight-knit region and kick off his Two Tonne Tasmania label with pristine fruit from a great vineyard (Rosevears). The resulting wine generated excitement throughout the country and launched an exciting career for this young grower.

Tasmania might be classed as a single G.I. (Geographical Indication), but there’s a world of difference once you get into the regional nitty-gritty. Just like in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, location matters in Tassie. The weather in Coal River to the south bears little resemblance to conditions in the northern reaches of the Cradle Coast; Pinot Noir grown in the volcanic soils of the East coast gives a very different expression to the same variety raised in the powerful black clay of the Derwent; and then, of course, there’s the sites and their growers–no two the same, each with a unique story to tell.

Two Tonne Tasmania is Ricky Evans’s chapter in Tasmania’s subregional story. The backbone of the range is Ricky’s long-standing relationships with growers on the island’s East, South and North coasts–one of whom he describes as the best viticulturist in Tasmania, if not the country–and now including a healthy chunk of estate-grown fruit. “These resources are really strong, really consistent”, he told us. “We have a deep familiarity with these growers and their sites, which brings confidence. Really, they’re always on the mark.” 

The TTT representation skews heavily towards Tamar Valley–it’s Ricky’s home ground and is home to his Woodlawn Park Vineyard. From this region, he makes the TMV Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the latter two sourced heavily from the home site. Then there’s the EST Pinot Noir, from a single block of vines in granite/volcanic soils. It’s a rich, plush Pinot with mouthwatering rocky tannins. The STH Pinot Noir is a harmonious combination of Derwent and Coal River fruit, picked early to ensnare freshness, elegance, spice and perfume. Across the Pinot range, the use of bunches and new wood is negligible, letting the fruit, the sites and the regional personality blaze bright.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Evans has been looking to make single-site wines for the last few years. In 2021, the stars aligned: it was an excellent season in Tasmania, and the fruit quality from Ricky's chosen sites was through the roof. One of these is Waverley Vineyard, managed by Ricky since 2015, located just to the east of Launceston and planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The other is the warm, bright and sunny Three Wishes Vineyard, which sits just north of Hillwood on the eastern bank of the Tamar River, also home to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition, we now see a Traditional Method cuvée blended from a few key sites. The Woodlawn wines are made in tiny quantities, and from the first release, it's clear they are pitched to sit amongst Tasmania’s finest.