New grape varieties, tree removal, extra car parking, cellar door expansion, an upgraded entrance from the highway and fire pit and deck installation are all on the agenda for the Tamar Valley vineyard that was established in the 1960s as Chateau Legana.

Renamed as Velo in 2001 by Micheal and Mary Wilson, wines produced at the Legana vineyard grew in popularity and are now on the verge of another transformation with new owners and a rebrand that harks back to its roots: Legana Estate.

Peter Bond and Ken Hudson bought Velo in December 2016, but took over the reins in May and promptly set to work on expansion with consultant and cellar door manager Rod Thorpe, who previously owned Moores Hill Estate further up the river.

“We’ve spent the past few months planning. We’ve been busy,” Mr Bond said.

“We want to upgrade the wine tasting area, make good wines and try to improve tourism,” Mr Hudson said.

Another enticement for Legana Estate’s new owners was chef Matt Adams and his wife Shannon, who have taken a 10-year lease for Timbre.

“We were drawn by Matt and the potential of the vineyard,” Mr Hudson said.

Legana Estate is set on almost seven hectares on the West Tamar Highway and produces pinot noir, pinot gris, sauvingon blanc and shiraz grapes.

This year’s Velo wines were made in Hobart by Winemaking Tasmania as the vineyard was upgraded.

“We will expand with chardonnay grapes,” Mr Bond said.

“The Wilsons used to make reds here and our intention is to make some of the reds back here again. We want people to talk about our good wine,” he said.

An expanded cellar door area gives Legana Estate the chance to introduce West Tamar produce for retail sales and the larger carpark opens the door for events and music performances.

Mr Adams is also excited about the opportunities the fire pit will provide for Timbre.

“Cooking over fire – it doesn’t get much more primal than that,” Mr Adams said.

“We’re making the grounds something to look at for music events, weddings, markets and maybe an outdoor cinema,” he said.

The Adams live nearby with their three young children and want to be part of the community.

“It feels like we’re at home. We want the business to be a focus for the community and promote the West Tamar,” Mr Adams said.