House of Arras
House of Arras is Australia’s most prestigious sparkling wine producer, founded on the vision of crafting world-class méthode traditionnelle wines that rival the best of Champagne. Its legacy is defined by terroir precision, long lees ageing, and the unparalleled expertise of winemaker Ed Carr.
History of House of Arras
The story of House of Arras began in 1995, when Ed Carr, already one of Australia’s most accomplished sparkling winemakers, envisioned creating a truly exceptional Australian sparkling wine. Rather than mimic Champagne, his goal was to express the unique character of Australia's coolest climate—Tasmania.
Ed Carr’s conviction led him to focus solely on Tasmania, long before its potential for sparkling wine was widely recognised. In 1998, the brand released its first cuvée, and since then, House of Arras has risen to become the benchmark for Australian sparkling wine, garnering acclaim both domestically and internationally.
Carr’s meticulous approach, particularly his commitment to extended tirage ageing—often six to ten years—has been pivotal in shaping the House of Arras style: elegant, complex, and age-worthy. In 2024, he was awarded “Sparkling Winemaker of the Year” at the International Wine Challenge, solidifying his reputation as a global master of the craft.
Region and Vineyards
Tasmania’s cold maritime climate, ancient soils, and long growing season create ideal conditions for traditional method sparkling wine. House of Arras sources fruit from seven cool-climate sub-regions across the island: Tamar Valley, Pipers River, Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley, East Coast, and Devonport.
Each site contributes distinctive nuances—altitude, aspect, and microclimate variations give Ed Carr a diverse palette for blending. All vineyards are managed to exacting standards, with hand-harvested fruit and vertical shoot positioning, ensuring pristine quality for base wines.
Wine Range of House of Arras
House of Arras produces a distinguished range of méthode traditionnelle wines, united by long lees aging and stylistic precision:
- Grand Vintage – A flagship cuvée aged 6–7 years on lees; rich and layered, yet mineral and poised.
- Vintage Rosé – Pinot Noir-led with exceptional finesse, floral complexity and structure.
- Brut Elite – A multi-vintage blend aged for four years; expressive and accessible, with hallmark depth.
- Blanc de Blancs – 100% Chardonnay, citrus-driven and chalky, revealing finesse and vibrancy.
- A by Arras – An earlier-drinking style, aged 30 months, offering freshness and approachability while retaining quality.
Each wine reflects Carr’s uncompromising standards and the expressive power of Tasmanian fruit, making House of Arras one of the few non-European sparkling houses truly revered for its terroir expression and ageing pedigree.
Did you know?
House of Arras holds more trophies and medals for sparkling wine than any other Australian producer. In fact, many of its cuvées are aged longer than most vintage Champagnes, a rarity in the Southern Hemisphere and a mark of Ed Carr’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
