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Ghost Rock is a cornerstone of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast, founded by the Arnold family and instrumental in shaping the region’s reputation over the past two decades.
Ghost Rock Wines was established by Cate and Colin Arnold in 2001 on a run-down property just East of Devonport, with only a handful of vines. Today, the estate is led by second-generation winemaker Justin Arnold alongside his wife, Alicia Peardon.
So the story goes.. there once was a hill just west of the Summerhill Park turnoff on the Port Sorell Main Road. There was a steep pinch where horses slowed and cyclists were obliged to dismount and walk. The hill received its name last century because of events claimed to have occurred around a large rock situated beside the road. Several versions of the name’s origin have appeared, perhaps each version being somewhat embellished. But the following is vouched for by elderly residents.
Mr. Lou Wilson was approaching the area on horseback about 1895 on the way to Northdown Post Office to post a letter to his lady love. From behind the rock appeared some white-clad ‘ghosts’ which caused him and his mount sufficient fright for him to abandon the errand and swiftly return home to Larooma. From then on it became a popular local larrikin prank to bait other riders approaching the locality.”
The rock has since been obliterated and the gradient reduced by road realignment in the 1950’s.
The name encompasses a sense of fun and regionality, keeping alive local history and infusing a sense of personality!
The vineyards sit on varied expressions of volcanic clay, from loam to sand, carefully farmed to manage vigour and preserve balance. The result is a quietly confident range of wines that reflect both site and season: precise, cool-climate expressions shaped by experience rather than ego.
When Justin & Alicia took over in 2015, they made 2 big investments - the first was the construction of their onsite winery. The second, the expansion of the vineyard footprint to 27H, with a big investment in Pinot Noir. The winery construction allowed them to take on the full control they desired – from vineyards through to bottling. It allowed them to obsessively chase quality in all corners of both our growing and our making. And it allowed them to explore more creative and experimental approaches to what they do
There’s nothing earth-shattering or groundbreaking in terms of winemaking at Ghost Rock.. it all comes down to the quality of the fruit. They tweak around the edges as every region does; a little less whole-bunch here, a little longer cold-soak there, some oak selections that drive mid-palette and texture perhaps more. It’s all interesting and valid, but it’s not what has them where they are today.
The Supernatural labels are their natural series - Nothing added, nothing taken away, these are 'natural' drops made in small volumes
