Josef Chromy Wines

Josef Chromy fled Czechoslovakia in 1950 at age 19 as a refugee and arrived in Australia, eventually building a significant career in Australian food and wine across more than seven decades. Before launching his eponymous label, Chromy owned or developed four well-known Tasmanian wine businesses: Rochecombe (now Bay of Fires), Jansz, Heemskerk, and Tamar Ridge, before selling the latter to Gunns Limited in the mid-2000s. He received an OAM in 1997 for services to the meat industry, later upgraded to an AO in 2023. In December 2007, at age 76, Chromy purchased the historic Old Stornoway Vineyard at Relbia, south of Launceston, and established Josef Chromy Wines. The late-chapter founding story is one of the most remarkable in modern Australian wine: an estate built on a personal legacy in food and wine, launched when most peers would have retired, and rapidly achieving international recognition through the 2013 Decanter Best Chardonnay in the World award.

• Fled Czechoslovakia as a 19-year-old refugee in 1950 and arrived in Australia
• Previously founded or developed Bay of Fires, Jansz, Heemskerk, and Tamar Ridge before launching his eponymous label
• Received OAM in 1997 (services to the meat industry); upgraded to AO in 2023
• Founded Josef Chromy Wines in December 2007 at age 76 on the historic Old Stornoway Vineyard at Relbia

The estate sits 10 minutes south of Launceston in Northern Tasmania, within the Tamar Valley sub-region. At 61 hectares, the vineyard spans elevations of 81 to 170 metres above sea level. Soils are rich alkaline clay and stony in character, underlain by ancient dolerite, the same volcanic rock that defines much of Tasmania's geology. The temperate maritime climate avoids extremes of heat and cold, allowing a long, slow growing season ideal for aromatic whites and cool-climate sparkling wine production. The Old Stornoway Vineyard at Relbia has been a vineyard site since the 1990s, well established by the time Chromy acquired it, allowing the new estate to draw on mature vines from its inaugural vintage.

• 61 hectares in the Tamar Valley, Northern Tasmania, 10 minutes south of Launceston
• Elevations from 81 to 170 metres above sea level on the historic Old Stornoway Vineyard site
• Rich alkaline clay and stony soils over ancient dolerite base
• Temperate maritime climate free from temperature extremes, suiting aromatic whites and sparkling base

The estate grows seven varieties suited to cool-climate Tasmania: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Gewurztraminer. The portfolio spans sparkling wines made by Methode Traditionnelle, whites, reds, rose, and sweet wines. Three tiers structure the range: Pepik is the entry-level label, the Josef Chromy tier represents the core range, and Zdar is the premium reserve offering. The estate is best known for its sparkling wines and Chardonnay, the latter winning Best Chardonnay in the World at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards. The Zdar Pinot Noir and Zdar Chardonnay represent the estate's flagship still expressions, with concentration and structural depth drawn from the highest-rated vineyard parcels.

• Seven varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Gewurztraminer
• Sparkling wines produced by Methode Traditionnelle, drawing on cool-climate Tamar fruit
• Three tiers: Pepik (entry), Josef Chromy (mid), and premium reserve Zdar
• 2011 Chardonnay awarded Best Chardonnay in the World, Decanter World Wine Awards 2013

The estate's trajectory was rapid: between 2007 and 2011, just four years of operation, Josef Chromy Wines accumulated 14 trophies and 170 medals. The 2011 Chardonnay took the top award at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards as Best Chardonnay in the World. Conde Nast recognised the estate as producing some of the best wines in the world in 2016, the same year it was inducted into the Tasmanian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. The James Halliday 2020 Wine Companion awarded the estate 5 Red Stars, and it holds membership in Ultimate Wineries of Australia. The on-site restaurant has received One Chef Hat every year since 2017, cementing the cellar door's position as one of Tasmania's premier wine and food destinations.

• 14 trophies and 170 medals in first four years (2007 to 2011)
• 5 Red Stars, James Halliday 2020 Wine Companion; member of Ultimate Wineries of Australia
• Inducted into Tasmanian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2016
• Restaurant awarded One Chef Hat annually since 2017

Josef Chromy Wines operates under sustainability principles aligned with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia standards. The winery infrastructure includes a 100kW solar power system and an advanced wastewater treatment facility. The estate's physical heritage is equally notable: the 1880s homestead on the property was converted to a cellar door in 2006, a new purpose-built winery was completed in 2007, and the restaurant followed in 2012. In April 2022, the brand was acquired by Paragon Wine Estates, part of the Endeavour Group (the corporate parent of Dan Murphy's and BWS). The acquisition has expanded the estate's distribution reach while maintaining the production and stylistic identity established under founder Josef Chromy, who remained closely associated with the estate through the AO honour in 2023.

• Aligned with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia standards
• 100kW solar power system installed on-site
• Advanced wastewater treatment facilities in operation
• Acquired by Paragon Wine Estates (Endeavour Group) in April 2022