Stargazer
Tasmania has quickly established itself as one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions, and Stargazer is a standout name within this evolving landscape. Owned and run by Samantha Connew, the winery pays tribute to Abel Tasman, the first European explorer to sight Tasmania—no doubt spending many nights gazing at the stars.
Samantha’s winemaking journey began in Oregon, where she developed a deep fascination with Pinot Noir. After more than 15 years in Australia, including her role as Chief Winemaker at Wirra Wirra in McLaren Vale, she found her way to Tasmania to focus on Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay.
Based in the Tea Tree subregion at the northern end of the Coal River Valley, Stargazer centres around the Palisander vineyard. Originally planted to Riesling and Pinot Noir, the site has since been expanded to include additional plantings of Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay. Since taking over the property in 2016, Samantha has drawn on her extensive experience to craft wines of purity, balance and precision.
The Stargazer Pinot Noir is a beautiful expression of both place and philosophy—elegant, refined and already earning strong acclaim.
Stargazer Wines
"Stargazer is one of Tasmania's most compelling new wine voices, owned and run by Samantha Connew. The label pays tribute to Abel Tasman — the first European to sight Tasmania — whose navigation of uncharted southern waters inspired the name.
Samantha's winemaking journey began in Oregon, where she fell under the spell of Pinot Noir before finding her way to an island that produces some of the world's most elegant expressions of the variety. Working with Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay from Tasmania's pristine cool-climate fruit, her focus on purity and balance is already earning Stargazer widespread critical recognition.
