Patrick Sullivan Wines

Patrick Sullivan is the ‘been everywhere, done everything' man, planting vines at age 15 and heading to London 3 years later. Viticulture studies followed, coupled with working at Vino di Anna, a winery in Sicily, thereafter appointed international wine buyer for Vino di Anna's owner, a London-based wine distribution business. Back in Australia, he became increasingly interested in Gippsland and the Baw Baw Shire in particular; winemaker Bill Downie was his guide both there and thereafter in the Yarra Valley. His beliefs and practices took shape over this time, notably sustainability/biodynamics and ultra-close spacing of 7000 vines/ha. In '14 he and wife Megan purchased the 69ha property now called Tumblestone Farm, sitting on red volcanic soil over sandstone at the base of the Strzelecki Ranges. They live on the farm with their 2 young children and have planted pinot noir and chardonnay. In the meantime he works with chardonnay from the Millstream, Bullswamp and Ada River vineyards. -JAMES HALLIDAY