Making Great Wines for Great Causes
Wobbly Boot Vineyard is a boutique, family-owned estate in the Coal River Valley, Southern Tasmania — 30 km from Hobart. [^4^] Founded by Paul and Lynda Williams in 2014, the vineyard was born from a disillusionment with conventional wine industry practices: synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, and the culling of wildlife to protect grapes. [^6^] The Williams family chose a different path. They bought a degraded property — scarred by chemicals and sheep grazing, with little wildlife due to hunting — and set about rewilding it. [^6^] Today, Wobbly Boot operates with an "animals first" philosophy, producing small-batch organic, vegan, and wildlife-safe wines through natural and regenerative farming practices that work in harmony with nature. [^3^] [^5^] Their mantra is simple: "making great wines for great causes." [^4^] The property is shaped like a boot — hence the name — and sits alongside the serpentine banks of White Kangaroo Rivulet, where a resident platypus shares the land. [^7^] The wines are not available in restaurants or bottle shops; they are released exclusively to members and direct to consumers, with a focus on quality over quantity. [^10^]
From a Degraded Block to a Wildlife Sanctuary
Paul and Lynda Williams bought the property in 2014. The land had been degraded by years of chemical use and sheep grazing. There was little wildlife — hunting had driven most animals away. [^6^] The Williamses were new to grape growing, but they were not new to nature. They quickly became disillusioned with what they saw in the wider wine industry: vines flooded with synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides to force higher yields; wildlife culled to protect grapes; retailers interested only in the cheapest product, not the highest quality. [^6^]
These negative experiences gave them the impetus to build something different. They decided to rewild the property and prioritise organic farming, community, and the environment. [^6^] The vineyard's name comes from the property's shape — it looks like a boot. The "wobbly" part reflects the family's playful spirit and the uneven, natural terrain they chose to work with rather than against. [^7^]
The vineyard sits on White Kangaroo Road in Campania, in the heart of the Coal River Valley — one of Tasmania's most respected cool-climate wine regions. Neighbouring estate Frogmore Creek speaks to the quality of the terroir: perfect for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. [^7^] But where others saw a commercial opportunity, the Williamses saw a chance to build a sanctuary.
The property now functions as a wildlife conservation area. Native vegetation has been restored. The White Kangaroo Rivulet runs through the estate, and a resident platypus has made it home. [^7^] The vineyard runs quarterly "Wine and Woofs" fundraisers for animal welfare organisations, reflecting their deep commitment to the care and protection of animals. [^3^] Three large, fully fenced off-leash dog areas welcome visitors' pets. [^3^] This is not a vineyard that tolerates wildlife — it is a vineyard that exists because of it.
"We are a small, family-owned vineyard on a mission to produce high quality low intervention wines using organics, regenerative farming and wildlife conservation."
— Paul & Lynda Williams
Nature-First Farming in the Coal River Valley
Wobbly Boot Vineyard has created what they call a "nature-first" wine production process — the only vineyard in Tasmania, and possibly Australia, to do so. [^4^] This is not simply organic certification. It is a holistic philosophy that places the health of the ecosystem above the convenience of the winemaker. Every decision is filtered through one question: is this good for the land, the water, the wildlife, and the community?
The grapes are organically grown. No synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, or pesticides touch the vineyard. [^6^] The wines are vegan — no animal products are used in fining or filtration. [^3^] Only minimal sulphites are added. [^2^] The farming is regenerative: building soil health, encouraging biodiversity, and allowing the land to heal itself. The result is a closed-loop system where the vineyard supports the environment and the environment supports the wine.
All fruit is handpicked. [^8^] Winemaking is low-intervention: natural ferments, gentle handling, and a light touch in the cellar. The focus is on letting the fruit speak. The 2022 Pinot Noir, for example, was handpicked, crushed, then yeasted a day later. Hand plunged twice daily until dryness, pressed, and sent to barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine stayed on lees all winter before being racked and returned to barrels until bottling in January 2023. [^8^] No animal products were used at any stage.
The property is a working conservation area. Native vegetation corridors provide habitat for birds, insects, and mammals. The White Kangaroo Rivulet is a vital waterway, and its health is carefully protected. The vineyard's dog-friendly policy — with three large off-leash areas — is not a gimmick; it is an extension of the "animals first" philosophy. [^3^] Even the packaging is considered: the wines are sold in mixed packs to reduce transport emissions, and members receive their shipments with minimal waste.
Located 30 km from Hobart in Southern Tasmania. [^3^] The Coal River Valley is one of Australia's most exciting cool-climate regions, known for exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and aromatic whites. Neighbouring Frogmore Creek confirms the quality of the terroir. [^7^] The Wobbly Boot site sits alongside White Kangaroo Rivulet, with a mix of vineyard blocks and restored native bushland.
Certified organic growing practices — no synthetic chemicals in the vineyard or winery. [^6^] All wines are vegan-friendly with no animal products used in production. [^3^] Minimal sulphites only. [^2^] The vineyard is a registered wildlife conservation area, with native vegetation restoration and habitat corridors throughout the property. [^6^]
Regenerative farming practices build soil carbon, improve water retention, and encourage biodiversity. [^5^] The vineyard operates as a closed-loop system: composting, natural pest control, and habitat restoration. "We believe that our nature-first process is better for the health of our waterways, soil, community and Mother Earth." [^5^]
Quarterly "Wine and Woofs" fundraisers support animal welfare organisations. [^3^] The vineyard is dog-friendly with three large, fully fenced off-leash areas. [^3^] Functions, birthdays, weddings, and corporate events are welcomed. [^3^] The Nature Lovers Wine Club offers members exclusive access, harvest participation, and special events. [^10^]
Quality Over Quantity, Always
Wobbly Boot's winemaking philosophy is deliberately small-scale and hands-on. The wines are not available in restaurants or bottle shops. [^10^] They are released exclusively to the Nature Lovers Wine Club and sold direct to consumers through the website. [^10^] This allows the Williams family to maintain complete control over quality, build genuine relationships with their customers, and ensure that every bottle sold supports the vineyard's conservation mission.
The focus is on cool-climate varieties that express the Coal River Valley terroir: Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and a Vintage Sparkling Rosé made from 100% Pinot Noir in the traditional method. [^3^] [^8^] All fruit is handpicked and hand-sorted. Fermentation is natural or gently guided. The wines are made with minimal intervention — no heavy manipulation, no unnecessary additions, no shortcuts.
The results are wines of purity and place. The 2022 Pinot Noir won Gold at the Tasmanian Wine Show. [^8^] The 2020 Maeve Vintage Sparkling Rosé — named after the family's golden retriever — took Bronze at the same show. [^10^] These are not mass-market wines. They are small-batch, thoughtfully made expressions of a specific piece of land, crafted by a family who believes that wine should do good as well as taste good.
The Williams family invites members to become part of vineyard life. Harvest mornings followed by lunch and wines. New vintage launches. Hands-on vineyard experiences. Wine appreciation afternoons. [^10^] This is not a transactional wine club. It is a community of people who believe, as the Williamses do, that great wine and great stewardship of the land can — and should — go hand in hand.
The 2022 Pinot Noir — Gold Medal, Tasmanian Wine Show
The 2022 Limited Release Pinot Noir is Wobbly Boot's flagship red — and it has the hardware to prove it. Awarded Gold at the Tasmanian Wine Show, this wine represents everything the vineyard stands for: handpicked organic fruit, gentle winemaking, and a deep respect for terroir. [^8^] Grapes were handpicked, crushed, and yeasted a day later. Hand plunged twice daily until dryness, then pressed and sent to barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine rested on lees all winter before being racked and returned to barrels until bottling in January 2023. No animal products were used. The result is a Pinot Noir of elegance and clarity — a wine that tastes like the place it comes from and the hands that made it. ~$46.
A Family, a Dog, and a Purpose
Wobbly Boot Vineyard is owned and operated by Paul, Lynda, Maeve, and Isaac Williams. [^4^] Paul and Lynda are the founders and driving force. Isaac is involved in the family business. And Maeve — the golden retriever — is the vineyard's unofficial mascot, with a sparkling rosé named in her honour. [^7^] [^10^]
The family lives on the property, surrounded by the land they are restoring. They are hands-on in every aspect: vineyard management, winemaking, marketing, events, and conservation work. There is no large staff, no corporate structure, no outside investment. Just a family, a dream, and a boot-shaped piece of Tasmania that they are determined to leave better than they found it.
The Williamses are committed to animal welfare and wildlife rescue. [^4^] Their quarterly fundraisers support local animal welfare organisations. Their dog-friendly policy is genuine — the property is designed with dogs in mind, not as an afterthought. [^3^] Even the wine club is called the "Nature Lovers Wine Club," reflecting the fact that members are drawn not just by the wine, but by the values behind it. [^10^]
The future of Wobbly Boot is rooted in the same principles that founded it: organic farming, regenerative practices, wildlife conservation, and community engagement. As the vineyard matures and the native vegetation returns, the wines will only become more expressive of this unique place. The Williams family is not trying to build the biggest winery in Tasmania. They are trying to build the most honest one.
"We believe that our nature-first process is better for the health of our waterways, soil, community and Mother Earth. Our focus is upon quality over quantity."
— Paul & Lynda Williams
The Wobbly Boot Range
Wobbly Boot produces a small, focused portfolio of organic, vegan, low-intervention wines from its Coal River Valley vineyard. The range is deliberately concise: cool-climate varieties that thrive in Tasmania's pristine environment, made with minimal sulphites and no animal products. All wines are produced from organic, handpicked grapes. [^8^] They are not available commercially — only through the Nature Lovers Wine Club and direct sales. [^10^] Prices are approximate and in AUD.