Patrick Sullivan
Patrick Sullivan has established firm roots in Gippsland’s Baw Baw Shire, where his focus is on producing world class Chardonnay grown on volcanic soil. But there is a long journey behind him that brought him here. Patrick and his wife, Megan, have a farm & winery in Ellinbank, Gippsland. Tumblegum Farm is his winery and one day estate once the vineyards mature.
Patrick planted his first vines at 15 years of age before leaving for London to work in the wine trade at 18yo. During his studies his eye was already drawn to the Baw Baw Shire and upon his return he worked on friend and now collaborator, William Downie’s property. Downie invited Patrick to the Yarra Valley to work on the Thousand Candles project, where Patrick worked in the vineyard alongside Stuart Proud. It was in the Yarra Valley that Patrick produced his first wines under his eponymous label, Brittania Creek & Breakfast wine.
Upon his return to Gippsland, Patrick’s interests had moved from large projects like Thousand Candles to smaller projects and his interest in reinvigorating local Chardonnay vineyards took him in a new direction. His label turned its interest to Chardonnay while continuing to work with amber wine and Pinot Noir.
Today, Patrick has refined his focus further still to Chardonnay only. Working Baw Baw Shire vineyards, Ada River, Millstream & Bull Swamp is his focus but he has grown his reach to engage exceptional growers in the Yarra Valley and Henty for negoce wines. His winemaking is meticulous and driven by ambition and a search for purity.
Patrick’s 2024 release of single site Chardonnays have underscored his determination and ability to demonstrate light and shade within wines of power & generosity. The wines are as site driven as they are recognisable as of his own style.