…Fred Peacock [is] legendary for the care he bestows on the vines under his direction.
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2019
Fred Peacock is Bream Creek Wines. Born in Hobart to a family with strong generational connections to the Tasmanian fruit and baking industries, Fred graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Tasmania
Appointed initially in the mid 1970’s as an Horticultural Officer with the then Department of Agriculture, one of Fred’s initial responsibilities was the operation of the experimental Rowella Vine Block situated in the Tamar Valley. As the industry developed, Fred became more heavily involved with the selection and establishment of new vineyard sites, working with other pioneers of the modern Tasmanian wine industry such as Graham Wiltshire of Heemskerk, Andrew (and David) Pirie of Pipers Brook and the Alcorso family at Moorilla, as well as other early growers.
During the early 1980’s, Fred was appointed as Tasmania’s first Viticultural Officer and in the mid 1980’s was involved in drafting the technical requirements for Australia’s first wine appellation scheme – the Tasmanian Appellation of Origin Scheme, (since replaced with the Label Integrity Program) which he administered for several years in conjunction with the Licensing Commission.
In his role with the Dept. of Primary Industries (DPI), he consulted to the majority of the state’s vignerons both in site selection and vine cultural issues. As the DPI moved to outsource industry technical advice, Fred accepted a position at Moorilla Estate from early 1989 until late 1992. During this time he also managed Bream Creek Vineyard (in which Moorilla was a partner), and when it was put up for auction in 1990, decided to purchase it.
Fred is one of the pioneers of the wine industry in Tasmania and continues to be widely sought after as an independent expert and consultant. Fred has also been recognised with an award for outstanding service by an individual to the Tasmanian Wine Industry.