After some time working interstate, James and his wife Vanessa, returned to Tasmania in 2007 to pursue an agricultural lifestyle. Together, they initially concentrated on lamb production, lucerne for hay, dabbled in a couple of poppy crops and grew a few grapes from an old vineyard that came with their purchased farm. They enjoyed such success with the grape production that they named their vineyard “Back Paddock” and have now settled with grape production as the core of their business. Predominantly they grow Pinot and Chardonnay and supply grapes to others, only retaining small amounts for their own label. James and his wife, Vanessa see the Coal Valley as a fantastic area to grow grapes, being so warm and dry, and will continue to plant and expand their operation into the future.
James joined the Coal River Products Association in 2013. He was nominated to join the Executive Committee in 2016 by his former employer Justin Nichols and was elected as Vice President in 2017.
James was elected as president in 2022.