Our Process

From Land to Fibre

At Glencoe, our wool begins with the land. Every step from caring for our sheep, to producing fine wool, is guided by a commitment to quality, sustainability and respect for the land.

  • Glencoe is situated on Tasmania’s east coast, which has historically been prime merino country and known for its native grasses and mild, temperate climate. Glencoe is a self-replacing Merino enterprise focused on fine wool production and prime lambs. Each year we class and retain stock based on preferred genetic traits to improve future performance. Every bale of wool produced is the culmination of years of carefully considered genetics and management.

  • We shear twice a year, once in March and again in October. This allows Glencoe to produce a low-vegetation-matter, high-strength fibre, which is perfect for manufacturing garments as it requires less processing to clean and remains strong throughout the manufacturing process.

    The shearing in March is pre-lambing, we lamb in May-June, and the shearing in October is typically our longer, finer wool. Shearing twice a year also encourages more wool growth and helps to protect against fly strike and other diseases. This all goes towards considered animal husbandry and animal welfare of our self-replacing, non-mulesed flock. 

  • Once shorn, the wool is taken from the board and thrown onto the classing table. The wool classer then sorts the fleeces into lines based on staple length, strength, micron, colour and cleanliness. This is a skill that is equal parts natural talent and experience-driven. Having the fleece classed correctly ensures that when the wool goes to auction, the bales demand the correct premiums and buyers feel confident in the quality they are purchasing.

  • At Glencoe, we are passionate about wool as a sustainable fibre and the about the wool industry on a broader level. Wool is 100% biodegradable, durable, thermoregulating and hypoallergenic. It’s one of the best fibres and natural resources on the market.

    Once tested at Saunders Wool in Launceston, the results are sent to auction in Melbourne and purchased by fashion houses and third-party distributors worldwide.

    We also retain a percentage of the clip to produce our own line of woollen blankets, which can be found on our shop page.

  • Our goal at Glencoe is to produce a sustainable fibre and work with the land to do so. We are restoring plantation land to pasture and improving soil fertility, which in turn ensures we have the right nutrients to support our livestock across all seasons. 

Partial view of a brick house with a white metal roof, porch, and supportive columns, set in a grassy yard. Large tree with dense branches and pine-like foliage partially obscures the house. Overcast sky in the background.
Stacked agricultural bags labeled 'Glencoe' with text 'AAAM' and 'S' on them, in an industrial setting with metal wall background.
Close-up of a wooden door with black handles, on a porch with brick and concrete walls, and trees in the background.
A group of sheep in a confined pen, with wooden slats in the background, facing the camera.
A wooden rack with folded clothing, including a checkered pattern shirt, cream-colored fabric, navy fabric, and grey textured fabric, against a beige wall.