Who we are

What The French,

a small family-run vineyard tucked away in the picturesque hills of West Pine, on Tasmania’s stunning North West coast.

Our story began back in 2002, when we — Belinda and Jason French — bought a little piece of farmland to raise our young family. Over the years, we welcomed and raised our three daughters, Grace, Claire, and Lily, surrounded by the beauty of rural life.

As our girls grew older and more independent, a new idea began to take shape. In 2019, with no background in viticulture but a lot of curiosity (and a touch of courage), we decided to turn our sheep paddock into a vineyard. After months of research, we chose two varieties of Chardonnay and two of Pinot Noir — all early-ripening clones well-suited to Tasmania’s cool climate.

Our first vintage was a true labour of love — every grape hand-picked, every decision made as a family. That year, we blended the whole vineyard to create just 120 bottles of sparkling wine. To our surprise and delight, it turned out beautifully.

Today, What The French produces two wines each year:

• A Chardonnay–Pinot Noir sparkling (about 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir)

• A single varietal Pinot Noir

We remain a truly boutique vineyard, producing limited quantities of wine with every vine hand-pruned and every grape hand-harvested by the French family. It's a hands-on approach we're incredibly proud of — and one we plan to continue as we grow just a little in the years ahead.

At What The French, everything we do is rooted in family, passion, and the belief that great wine starts with care, connection, and a little bit of adventure.