About Peninsula Vinecare

Peninsula Vinecare is a business owned and run by three long experienced grape growers and Vineyard Managers of the Mornington Peninsula.

Tyson Lewis

Tyson began his love for vineyard work in the summer of 1988 and 1989 whilst travelling and continued working in several newly established vineyards and wineries  on the Mornington Peninsula throughout the 1990’s. From there Tyson worked at home on the Mornington Peninsula and as far away as McLaren Vale, The Hunter Valley, Margaret River and two vintages in France. In this time he completed an Applied Science degree in Viticulture at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga. After an extended period working for Red Hill Estate and then Cheviot Bridge as Chief Viticulturist, and bringing up a family in Red Hill, Tyson branched out into his own vineyard management business before joining forces with Hugh and Matt as Peninsula Vinecare in 2014.

Since 2001 Tyson has been an active member of the Mornington Vignerons Association and has been a member of the Executive Committee since 2003. Over this period he has chaired the Technical Sub-Committee organising many seminars and representing the MPVA on technical matters in the wider viticultural community.

Tyson continues to be excited by the by the challenges of each season in  the quest to produce the best possible fruit that the season allows.

Matt Frewer

Growing up in the UK in an agricultural environment, Matt gained a passion for all things farming After moving to Australia and settling on the Mornington Peninsula 23 years ago, Matt and his father  planted a 30 acre vineyard in Somerville. During this period he completed a Certificate 3 in Wine and Viticulture at Chisholm Institute. in parallel with the wine side of the business Matt’s skills and experience allowed him to develop an independent vineyard contracting operation, which eventually became his total work focus.

In 2011 Matt and Hugh decided to merge their  respective contracting operations with the aim of increasing the quality and cost efficiency of the combined business.

Hugh Robinson

Hugh, Scottish by birth, came to Australia 40yrs ago and some 8yrs later purchased a property inland from Mount Martha with a view to developing a vineyard. Over the next 12yrs. the initial 6 acre block was extended to 57 acres. A successful wine brand was established using Estate fruit but grape sales to other vignerons was always part of the business plan. The wine brand was sold in the late 90’s when  the focus of the enterprise became solely that of contract grape growing.

With the purchase of bigger and more efficient vineyard equipment it became a logical next step to undertake vineyard work for other vignerons, the start of Peninsula VineCare (PVC). This company evolved over the last 20 yrs. with Matt and Tyson merging their own operations with PVC to make the company as it currently stands. As part of the initial management business Hugh project managed the installation of a number of the larger vineyards on the Peninsula including his own, Dromana Estate and Pt Leo Estate. More recently upwards of 70 acres have been installed over the 2 yrs. from early 2018.

Over this 30 yr. period Hugh has travelled extensively to most of the major grape producing areas of the world, always on the lookout for new and innovative vineyard practices. Like Tyson he served for many years on the MPVA Executive Committee and as the Chair of the Technical Sub-Committee.