The two friends met in Adelaide in 1976 when the Australian wine industry was going through tough times. Peter was a 21 year old science student from Geelong, Victoria, who'd just got his first job in the wine sector as a cellar hand at Thomas Hardy & Sons inner city Mile End winery, where Tim was the production winemaker. They struck up a remarkable friendship that has spanned three decades, and seen them work alongside each other for 20 years at Hardys before moving on in more recent times to new jobs and ventures. They have a collective winemaking experience of more than 60 years and their interest in wine runs much deeper than at career level.
Peter and Tim have now collaborated on a project that is as much about personal passion as it is about professionalism, Dawson and James Wines. The single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the results of a long held ambition. Peter and Tim's release of a wine has been much anticipated by their peers, who have over the decades benefited from the wisdom and guidance of these two old hands. The pair has represented the wine industry in various roles, including as winemakers, judges, educators, lobbyists and directors. They have both mentored another generation of winemakers who share their relentless search for quality, not just in the vineyard, but in oak, winemaking and bottling.
Peter Dawson and Tim James have a shared love of Australian art, farming, camping and gastronomy, and families and friends whose palates have benefited from their winemaking wisdom. Their association with vignerons Gerald and Sue extends over 16 years and their contribution as grape growers is integral to achieving quality endeavours.
Dawson and James fruit is grown on the Meadowbank vineyard, which is located approximately 60 kms north west of Hobart. Its rugged topography is bounded by the fast flowing, pristine waters of the Derwent river. Property owners Gerald and Sue Ellis established the first plantings in 1974 and the vineyard holds a special place in the history of Tasmanian viticulture.
The late Stephen Hickinbotham was early to recognise the potential of cool climate viticulture on the Meadowbank site, making Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling between 1981 and 1984. Plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were first made in 1987.
Vineyard patches selected for Dawson & James wines were planted in 1989 and vine age plays an important part in flavour development and the balance of the fruit. The vineyard site has an elevation of 70 metres above the river level and a north easterly aspect which attracts optimal sunlight to ripen the grapes. Soils range from brown loams to sandy loams over structured clays and sandstone rock. The soils are of a devigorating nature, contributing to balanced growth and good vine structure. Yields are managed to less than 6 tonnes per hectare with Pinot Noir managed to one bunch per shoot.
Dawson & James have always had high expectations and standards in terms of wine appreciation of wine, and have now pushed themselves to make two wines that hold their own with the best in the world. They took the highest quality grapes from a vineyard in Glenora, Tasmania, and with minimal tweaking, have let the grapes do the work. The great satisfaction for both men has been going back to a hands on, no compromise winemaking approach. Another deliberate step along a never ending quest.
