The Art of Time: Exploring 30 Years of House of Arras with Ed Carr

This year marks a remarkable milestone for House of Arras: three decades of redefining Australian sparkling wine. To celebrate 30 years of craftsmanship, Ed Carr—the visionary and Chief Winemaker behind the brand—hosted an intimate lunch that showcased the elegance, complexity, and longevity of his creations. From the pristine vineyards of Tasmania to the global stage, House of Arras has become synonymous with world-class sparkling, and this anniversary was a fitting tribute to its journey.  The first glass shimmered with fine bubbles, a prelude to a conversation with the man who has transformed Australian sparkling wine. 

Ed Carr – A Legacy in Sparkle

Ed Carr’s career spans more than three decades, and his philosophy is simple yet uncompromising: patience, precision, and purity of fruit. His approach to sparkling wine mirrors the great traditions of Champagne—extended lees aging, meticulous blending—but with a distinctly Tasmanian identity. Cool-climate vineyards, maritime breezes, and ancient soils give these wines their signature elegance and tension.  “We’ve built a philosophy of winemaking based on quality, and we’ve ridden peaks and troughs in getting to where we are now. What we do is certainly not cheap – it’s an expensive process to make wine of this quality. But I believe that it’s that belief in quality that will shine through.”

House of Arras – A Tapestry of Terroir

Founded in 1995, and only names three years later in 1998, House of Arras was created to craft sparkling wines that could stand alongside the world’s best. The name “Arras” means rich tapestry, reflecting the complexity achieved by sourcing fruit from multiple Tasmanian subregions. Each wine is a blend of time, place, and technique, with maturation periods that often exceed a decade. “Tasmanian sparkling takes it right up to French champagne... Our maritime cool climate favours fine and elegant sparkling wine that ages well. We use the same grapes as they do in Champagne – chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier – but it’s really our climate that drives it.”  Around 750,000 bottles are produced a year and two thirds of this is A by Arras.

Best Sparkling Wine - House of Arras

Understanding the Tiers

House of Arras offers a structured range; each tier designed for a different experience:

A by Arras – The Gateway

These are the approachable, everyday expressions of the Arras style. Crafted for immediate enjoyment, they still carry the hallmarks of quality—fine bubbles, vibrant fruit, and subtle complexity.

• A by Arras NV
  Bright citrus and green apple with a hint of brioche. Crisp, refreshing, and perfect as an aperitif.
• A by Arras Rosé NV
  Pale salmon hue, lifted strawberry and raspberry notes, finishing dry and elegant.

Brut Elite – The Signature

The Brut Elite range steps up in complexity, with longer lees aging and a more layered palate. These wines showcase the interplay of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier.  The numbers 1601 and 1801 on House of Arras bottles are part of their cuvée naming system and indicate the base vintage year of the blend, Cuvée 1601 refers to a Brut Elite blend that is predominantly based on the 2016 vintage. The “01” is an internal code used by Arras to denote the first release of that base year. So, 1601 = 2016 base vintage, first iteration. Cuvée 1801, similarly, this is a Brut Elite blend based on the 2018 vintage, again with “01” marking the first release of that base year.

• Brut Elite NV 1601
  Lemon zest and nectarine with creamy cashew and toasted brioche. Fine mousse and a lingering, dry finish.
• Brut Elite Rosé NV 1801
  Red berry fruit, sourdough, and a whisper of spice. Structured yet graceful

Blanc de Blancs – The Purist’s Choice

Made exclusively from Chardonnay, these wines are all about finesse, elegance and minerality. Extended aging brings depth without losing vibrancy.

• Blanc de Blancs NV
  Crisp apple and citrus with chalky texture and a saline edge.
• Blanc de Blancs 2016
  Honeyed brioche, oyster shell, and jasmine. A wine of precision and elegance.
• Blanc de Blancs 2004 – Museum Release
  Golden, complex, and astonishingly fresh after two decades. Layers of marzipan, caramel, and toasted sourdough.

Vintage – The Statement

Only the best vintages make it to this tier in the House, the best varieties, the best fruit and the best individual barrel selection.

• Vintage Rosé 2016
  A delicate rose-gold hue with aromas of potpourri and red berries. The palate offers Turkish Delight and cherry, balanced by vibrant acidity.

Grand Vintage – The Pinnacle

These are the flagship wines, crafted only in exceptional years and aged extensively. They represent the ultimate expression of Tasmanian sparkling.  When I asked Ed if he could choose his favourite wine from the house, it was this because it embodies the essence of the house style and the craftsmanship behind Arras. “The Grand Vintage is the pinnacle of what we do – it’s the wine that really expresses the House of Arras style. It brings together the complexity, elegance and longevity that define our philosophy.”

Three blends of each Grand Vintage is made by the winemakers and Ed blind tastes all three before deciding which one makes the final selection

• Grand Vintage 2016
  White peach, citrus, and brioche with a creamy, saline finish.
• Grand Vintage 2015
  Slightly more restrained, with marine notes and fennel alongside citrus and nutty complexity.
• Grand Vintage 2009
  Mature and layered, with honeyed tones and dried fruit, yet still vibrant.

Why These Wines Matter

House of Arras proves that Australian sparkling can rival the best in the world. These wines are not Champagne imitations—they are distinctly Tasmanian, shaped by cool-climate purity and Carr’s relentless pursuit of excellence.

As Ed Carr poured the 2004 Blanc de Blancs, its golden hue shimmering like a Tasmanian sunrise, I realized this wasn’t just sparkling wine—it was a story of vision, patience, and a belief that time is the ultimate ingredient.

Where to buy in the UK

Wine lovers can buy a wide range of these wines from:

Australian Vinters UK Discover the Finest Australian Wines | Australian Vintners UK 

WINEDIRECT House of Arras Wine - Winedirect 

VINVM Buy House of Arras Brut Elite NV - VINVM

UK Trade contact Liberty Wines House of Arras - Liberty Wines