Domaine A & Moorilla | Tasmanian Cool-Climate

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Tucked away in one of the world’s most pristine wine regions, Domaine A and Moorilla are two Tasmanian icons that prove cool climate winemaking can produce wines with extraordinary depth, structure, and longevity. Think classic European technique meets wild southern edge — a mix of precision, patience, and pure Tasmanian character.  Tasmania has become one of the most talked-about wine regions in the world. Domaine A and Moorilla were there long before the conversation started.

Moorilla was founded in 1958 by Italian textile merchant Claudio Alcorso, who planted vines on the banks of the Derwent River when nobody else thought it possible. Domaine A came later — a project by Swiss couple Peter and Ruth Althaus to prove that Bordeaux-style reds could thrive in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley. They proved it, and proved it spectacularly. Today both estates sit under the creative wing of David Walsh, the brilliant and eccentric mind behind MONA, Hobart’s world-famous museum. 

Winemaker Conor van der Reest leads both, guided by patience, precision, and minimal intervention.

Tasmania’s two key sub-regions couldn’t be more different, and Domaine A and Moorilla sit at the heart of each.  The Coal River Valley — drier, warmer and more continental in character — is where Domaine A makes its structured Bordeaux-style reds as well as the stunning Pinot Noirs.  The Derwent River at Moorilla is cooler and more maritime, producing wines of finer, more delicate character. Together they showcase the breadth of what Tasmania can do — and why this is now one of the most talked-about wine regions on earth.

The MONA connection is more than a detail. David Walsh’s approach to art — challenging, uncompromising, deeply intelligent — runs through the wines as well as the museum. These are not bottles designed for easy consumption or broad appeal. They’re made for people who want to think, taste, and discover. If that sounds like you, you’re in exactly the right place.

Domaine A produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot of remarkable structure and longevity — Bordeaux-style wines that need time but reward it extravagantly - The Domaine A Cab Sav is a truly iconic wine that collectors and sommeliers always seek out. It also makes Pinot Noir that is fast becoming a champion in its own right. Moorilla spans three tiers (Cloth Label, Praxis and Muse), from the expressive and approachable to the serious and cellar-worthy. 

Domaine A’s Stoney Vineyard is one of Tasmania’s oldest and most respected sites. North-facing slopes, long daylight hours, and coastal breezes combine to produce grapes that ripen slowly and evenly — perfect for structure and balance.

Moorilla operates two distinct vineyards: Moorilla Vineyard beside MONA on the Derwent River, with complex soils that add texture and savoury nuance; and St Matthias Vineyard on the Tamar River, giving fruit that’s fresher and more aromatic — ideal for vibrant, fruit-forward wines. Together, these sites showcase the very best of Tasmania’s cool-climate diversity.

Domaine A and Moorilla capture everything that makes Tasmanian wine exciting — cool climate elegance, serious craftsmanship, and a streak of creative rebellion. These aren’t rushed wines; they’re thoughtful, cellar-worthy, and quietly confident.

They also show that Tasmania isn’t just about Pinot and fizz — it’s a place where Cabernet can truly thrive when handled with patience and precision. In short: art in a bottle, with attitude.