The warm, open Bagdad Valley in Tasmania's southern midlands, thirty kilometres north of Hobart, became famous during early settlement for its bountiful apple orchards, stone fruits and pears. There is very little water in the valley and the area is frequently punished by summer droughts. Many orchards have failed over the years and the open grasslands were turned over to sheep grazing. Neil acquired four hectares of the old Winstead Farm in Bagdad Valley during the 1980s, hand chosen as an ideal place for vines, dry grown, fertile and essentially frost free. The initial success of a small test patch of fifty plantings Pinot Noir was joined the following year by four thousand, ultimately a hectare and a half of Riesling and Pinot Noir. Winstead»