There comes a time in a woman’s life when she must seize control of her own destiny. For Charlotte Badger, that moment came in 1806 when she, along with another female convict bound for domestic servitude in Van Diemen’s Land, convinced the crew of the Venus to stage a mutiny. While the captain – who had a penchant for flogging the ship’s female company for entertainment – was ashore on Tasmania’s north coast, the ship slipped its anchor and set sail for New Zealand and freedom.
Badger’s story struck a chord with winemaker Greer Carland, who heard it and thought, “I want a bit of that.” And so she created a boutique wine label, Quiet Mutiny, in the convict’s honour. Already an accomplished winemaker for her parents’ vineyard Laurel Bank, and with experience in France, North America and Chile, Carland quietly released her first pinot noir, Venus Rising, in 2017 to rave reviews. It quickly sold out.
Based in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley, less than 30 minutes from Hobart, Carland uses grapes from the Laurel Bank vines and the nearby Coal Valley to produce sparkling, riesling, pinot noir and syrah that can be found in boutique bottle shops and a select group of restaurants. Although she doesn’t grow her own grapes, she has long-term commitments with these growers.
“I don’t want to be a flash in the pan. I want customers to get familiar with my style,” says Carland, while pouring a glass of her award-winning 2018 pinot noir in a vineyard with an expansive view of the Derwent River. However, she adds, “we really feel the seasons in Tasmania, and that is reflected in the wine. I think it’s one of the charms of Tasmanian wine.”
This story is from the June 2021 edition of Gourmet Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2021 edition of Gourmet Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Barossa Valley
We hit the road for a weekend escape, exploring the best regional Australia has to offer. This month we head to the Barossa Valley in South Australia.
Legends of reinvention
As ultra-luxe hotel group Rosewood takes on three benchmark New Zealand lodges, MICHAEL HARDEN gets the read on this next chapter.
EVERYDAY
Easy entertaining, weeknight dinners and suppers to share, all made with speed, without sacrificing flavour.
Australia's most wanted
For love or money, building a wine collection pays dividends. NED GOODWIN reveals the Australian fine wines to put away.
MEET THE MAKER GREG LAMBRECHT
When US-based engineer Greg Lambrecht invented wine preservation system Coravin a decade ago, he changed the way we drink premium wine.
SANDALFORD
Following its recent reboot, this historic WA winery restaurant is ready to wine and dine a new generation of guests, writes MAX VEENHUYZEN.
PITZI
The team behind Fico trot out a chic new pasta bar which makes simplicity something special, writes ALIX DAVIS.
BATHERS' PAVILION RESTAURANT
A new era is dawning at a lower north shore landmark, writes MATTY HIRSCH, with an astute new recruit leading the way
VUE DE MONDE
A Melbourne icon emerges from a makeover refreshed and energised, writes MICHAEL HARDEN.
STEPHANIE ALEXANDER
Kylie Kwong celebrates the individuals helping to grow a stronger community. This month, we meet chef, author and original cook's companion, Stephanie Alexander AO.