Stargazer - Tupelo
Tasmania has firmly established itself as one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions, and Stargazer is a standout within this evolving landscape. Owned and run by Samantha Connew, the winery takes its name from Abel Tasman—the first European explorer to sight Tasmania—who no doubt spent many nights gazing at the stars.
Samantha’s winemaking journey began in Oregon, where she developed a deep appreciation for Pinot Noir. After more than 15 years in Australia, including her role as Chief Winemaker at Wirra Wirra in McLaren Vale, she returned to a cooler climate to focus on Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay. As she puts it, “The opportunity to work with pristine fruit to craft the wines that I am passionate about in an environment of extraordinary beauty is really all I have ever wanted to do as a winemaker.”
Stargazer is located in the Tea Tree subregion at the northern end of the Coal River Valley. The original vineyard was planted equally to Riesling and Pinot Noir. Since taking over the property in 2016, Samantha has expanded the vineyard—now known as Palisander—to include additional plantings of Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay.
Drawing on her extensive experience, Samantha crafts wines of purity, balance and precision—already earning strong critical acclaim. The Stargazer Tupelo is a beautiful expression of this pristine cool-climate region, showcasing freshness, texture and elegance.
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.
