Josef Chromy
FIVE STAR WINERY
Joe Chromy just refuses to lie down and admit the wine industry in Tasmania is akin to a financial black hole. After escaping from Czechoslovakia in 1950, establishing Blue Ribbon Meats, using the proceeds of sale to buy Rochecombe and Heemskerk vineyards, then selling those and establishing Tamar Ridge before it, too, was sold, Joe is at it again; this time he's invested $40 million in a wine-based but multifaceted business, including a major building development in Launceston. If this were not remarkable enough, Joe has turned 80, and has recovered from a major stroke. Foundation of the new wine business was the purchase of the large Old Stornoway Vineyard at a receivership sale in 2003; in all, there are 60 ha of 10-year- old vines, the lions share to pinot noir and chardonnay. He retained Jeremy Dineen (for many years winemaker at Hood/Wellington) as winemaker, the winery completed prior to the 07 vintage. Chromy's grandson Dean Cocker is guiding the development of a restaurant, function and equestrian centre, the latter on a scale sufficient to accommodate the Magic Millions yearling sales. JAMES HALLIDAY, The Wine Companion
Joe Chromy just refuses to lie down and admit the wine industry in Tasmania is akin to a financial black hole. After escaping from Czechoslovakia in 1950, establishing Blue Ribbon Meats, using the proceeds of sale to buy Rochecombe and Heemskerk vineyards, then selling those and establishing Tamar Ridge before it, too, was sold, Joe is at it again; this time he's invested $40 million in a wine-based but multifaceted business, including a major building development in Launceston. If this were not remarkable enough, Joe has turned 80, and has recovered from a major stroke. Foundation of the new wine business was the purchase of the large Old Stornoway Vineyard at a receivership sale in 2003; in all, there are 60 ha of 10-year- old vines, the lions share to pinot noir and chardonnay. He retained Jeremy Dineen (for many years winemaker at Hood/Wellington) as winemaker, the winery completed prior to the 07 vintage. Chromy's grandson Dean Cocker is guiding the development of a restaurant, function and equestrian centre, the latter on a scale sufficient to accommodate the Magic Millions yearling sales. JAMES HALLIDAY, The Wine Companion