The winemaker moved to the Tamar Valley with his wife, Fiona Weller, in 2008 to pursue his passion for making sparkling wine.

The couple bought Moores Hill, a 5-hectare vineyard at Sidmouth, with plantings of pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay, and a small amount of cabernet and merlot.

Mr Allport said they started making sparkling in 2009, releasing their first - a sparkling blanc de blanc - in 2011.

He said they'd also introduced a pinot gris and done a lot of work on their cellar door - a large tasting room and deck overlooking the vineyard.

``We feature a lot of local art and produce here, including Vix Kitch preserves, Hillwood Berry Farm produce, Van Diemen microbrew beer and Dickens Cider, as well as our own wines,'' Mr Allport said.

``We have tastings of our wines and have cheese and game tasting plates, coffee, tea and other snacks . . . it's all been going well, it's been really busy here since Christmas.''

Moores Hill is at 3343 West Tamar Highway, Sidmouth. The cellar door is open from 10am to 5pm, seven days a week.