Colin and Cate Arnold, of Ghost Rock Vineyard, Port Sorell, found success via a different route. Picture: GEOFF ROBSON
MOST aspiring winemakers come to Tasmania with their sights set on the Tamar Valley, Derwent or Coal River regions.
Cate and Colin Arnold found success by taking a different route.
Mrs Arnold said the novice winemakers bought a ``run-down'' property outside Devonport in 1989, demolishing everything to make way for Ghost Rock Vineyard.
``It wasn't in an established wine region, there were only two other vineyards at the time, but we lived in Devonport and didn't want to move,'' she said.
Mrs Arnold said the 16-hectare vineyard produced a sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, riesling, pinot gris, pinot noir and pinot rose, as well as their award-winning 2007 Catherine Pinot Chardonnay Sparkling.
She said that in 2006, Ghost Rock also opened a cellar door, offering lunch, coffee, cake and wine tastings.
``I think being outside a popular wine route has worked in our favour, because the cellar door is just so popular, and over the years, we've formed a smaller wine route with other vineyards,'' she said.
--Ghost Rock Vineyard is at 1055 Port Sorell Road, Northdown. The cellar door is open 11am to 5pm, seven days a week.