Decades

Decades is a single-vineyard producer in Tasmania's Coal River Valley, owned by Steve Flamsteed, an acclaimed winemaker who previously led Giant Steps, and Brad Rogers, co-founder of Stone & Wood brewery. Despite releasing only their second vintage in 2024, both the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are already garnering critical praise. What sets Decades apart is the combination of a carefully selected 2.5-hectare vineyard with meticulous winemaking technique—hand-harvested fruit, whole-bunch pressing, spontaneous fermentation, and nine months in French oak. This is a producer built on precision, not volume.

About Decades

The story begins three decades ago, when Steve and Brad met at Roseworthy College. Twenty-nine years later, they reunited over glasses of beer and a Joy Division album to discuss buying a vineyard together. In 2022, they purchased 2.5 hectares in Southern Tasmania's Upper Coal River Valley—the vineyard's original vines were planted in 1992. The name Decades honours both their friendship and the band's album of the same name. The vineyard sits on black clay over limestone soils in a cool maritime climate with low rainfall, conditions that naturally encourage high acidity and concentrated flavour. Steve has expanded the site to include seven further hectares planted chiefly with Pinot Noir, which secures the venture's future while working with the mature existing vines. Winemaking reflects Steve's philosophy of careful control at every stage. The Chardonnay undergoes whole-bunch pressing, then ages nine months in large French oak vessels where spontaneous fermentation occurs, with partial malolactic fermentation creating a mineral, taut profile with crisp citrus notes. The Pinot Noir employs two separate parcels—one whole-bunch fermented, the other chilled after de-stemming for a five-day period—pressed into seasoned French oak. Following nine months of maturation, what emerges is an elegant, perfumed wine displaying the blue fruit character typical of Coal River Valley. All fruit is hand-harvested and handled with care to arrive at the winery in pristine condition.

Decades Wines in Our Collection

The 2024 Coal River Valley Chardonnay scored 95 points from The Wine Front and delivers a precise, mineral-driven white with attractive citrus line and subtle oak integration from nine months in French oak barrels. The 2024 Coal River Valley Pinot Noir earned 93 points and displays the region's signature elegance: perfumed, silky tannins, and classic blue fruit notes. Both wines reflect the same careful winemaking—hand harvesting, temperature control, indigenous yeast fermentation, and extended barrel ageing. If you prefer Chardonnay with structure and mineral tension, the white is your choice. For a lighter, more perfumed red that still carries serious depth, reach for the Pinot Noir. Either works as a serious food wine rather than an aperitif.

Food Pairing

The Chardonnay's mineral profile and citrus line suit shellfish, white fish with butter sauces, and creamy chicken dishes. The Pinot Noir's elegance and blue fruit character pair beautifully with duck, roasted lamb, mushroom risotto, and charcuterie. Both wines have enough acidity and concentration to handle earthy, umami-rich ingredients without being overwhelmed.

Who are the owners of Decades?

Steve Flamsteed, former winemaker at Giant Steps, and Brad Rogers, co-founder of Stone & Wood brewery. They met at Roseworthy College and bought the vineyard together in 2022.

Where is Decades located?

Decades is a single-vineyard producer in Southern Tasmania's Upper Coal River Valley, with 2.5 hectares of original vines planted in 1992 and an additional seven hectares planted for future production.

What makes Decades wines distinctive?

Hand-harvested fruit, whole-bunch pressing, spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeast, and nine months ageing in French oak. The cool maritime climate and limestone soils produce wines with high acidity and concentrated flavour.

Who makes Decades wines?

Steve Flamsteed, an acclaimed winemaker formerly of Giant Steps, and Brad Rogers, co-founder of Stone & Wood brewery, own Decades. They purchased their 2.5-hectare single vineyard in Tasmania's Coal River Valley in 2022.

What style of wine does Decades make?

Decades produces hand-harvested Chardonnay and Pinot Noir using spontaneous fermentation and nine months in French oak. The Chardonnay is mineral-driven with citrus notes (95 points); the Pinot Noir is perfumed with blue fruit character (93 points).

How much does Decades wine cost?

Decades wines are priced between £61.60 and £61.80 per bottle. Both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sit at this premium single-vineyard level.