Irrigation Water to Underpin Vineyard Expansion

Will and Jacquie Adkins will expand their Westella Vineyard by 30 per cent if the Tamar Water Scheme proceeds.

Access to highly reliable irrigation water will give them the confidence to increase plantings on their Pinot Noir-focused vineyard at Rowella, at the northern end of the Tamar Valley.

“We certainly wouldn’t go ahead with any more plantings without the surety of Tasmanian Irrigation water,” Will said.

“With the increasing unpredictability of our springs and summers, we need to minimise risk. Reliable irrigation water is key to effectively drought proofing our vineyard, enabling us to maintain healthy vines and canopies in extreme years.

“Our 2025 vintage was particularly challenging, and we struggled to keep water up to our vines and maintain the required moisture levels in the soil.

“The Tamar Water Scheme will help us avoid the yield and quality impact of dry conditions during the ripening season.”

The Adkins will look at new Pinot Noir clones and rootstock to add to their current wine portfolio of Pinot Noir, White Pinot, Rosé, Sparkling Rosé and Blanc de Noir. The expansion will also open succession planning doors for their family, including for daughter Josie who recently completed a postgraduate viticulture degree at the University of Adelaide.

Will’s love of Pinot Noir started in 1989 when he organised a Tasmanian Pinot Noir tasting for his fellow students at Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia.

Will and Jacquie then spent 20 years in the Barossa, learning the importance of growing varieties best suited to the soil and climate of the region, as well as an uncompromising focus on quality. Will then worked with Tamar Ridge Wines for 22 years, deepening his appreciation for the world-class Pinot Noirs that can be produced in the Tamar Valley.

In 2014 they purchased their block of land at Rowella, planted their first vines in November 2015 and opened their cellar door in January 2023.

"The Tamar Valley has always been renowned as a fertile valley and a great place to grow premium quality crops and livestock,” Jacquie said.  

“Viticulture has taken a strong hold in the Tamar in the past 30-plus years, and the region is now well recognised for producing premium fruit for sparkling and still wine production." 

Will and Jacquie agree that securing water from the Tamar Water Scheme would equip Westella for both sustainable operations and significant growth.

The combination of reliable irrigation water, advanced viticulture knowledge and the proven quality of the Tamar Valley terroir positions the business to contribute meaningfully to the region's continued development as a premium wine-producing area.