Apsley Gorge

When the bottom fell out of Victoria's building industry in the early 1980s, Brian Franklin ditched his intended career path in architecture and travelled to Tasmania to put his amateur fishing and diving skills to good use. He spent the next 18 years catching abalone and rock lobsters before taking on cool-climate wine production.

In 1988, Franklin and fellow diver Greg Walch bought former grazing land overlooking the Apsley River, 12km north of Bicheno. Within a decade, the north-east facing site had been cleared, planted and expressed its terroir in six vintages of wine, thanks in part to contract winemaker, Andrew Hood. 

It was time to get serious.

Franklin took on full ownership of the 6.5ha vineyard in 1999. He backed his amateur skills again by growing and making his Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines on his own. 

In 2000, he experienced two vintages. One on home turf. One on the other side of the world, in Gevrey Chambertin. It was the beginning of a dual life in wine, played out over more than 40 vintages. The Charlopins at Domain Charlopin-Tissier have become family.

Today, the 7ha Apsley Gorge Vineyard is regarded as one of the industry's most esteemed cool-climate wine brands. Almost wedded to his hand-tended, dry-grown vineyard, Franklin creates wines that are a blend of Burgundian experience and East Coast climate and geology. Wines with an international reputation and following.

Franklin likes them big. Harvest here is around three weeks later than Freycinet Vineyard - for example - due to cooling afternoon sea breezes that flow through his vines. River loam over clay - and the odd bit of ironstone - add a touch of finesse.

'Today, Franklin looks less maverick than seer, as Burgundian methods have become more frequently applied to Pinot Noir in Australia. Critical acclaim has also come, and Apsley's cult wines sit comfortably in the premium price range for Australian Pinot Noir (on a par with Burgundy premier cru).'

Konrad Muller, UK publication Decanter, February 2019

Key details:

Brian Franklin: owner/vigneron

Vineyard/cellar door address:

• Vineyard: Rosedale Rd, Bicheno TAS 7215
• Tastings and sales: Le Gulch Wine Bar, 54 Waubs Esplanade, Bicheno TAS 7215

Telephone:

N/A

Email:

agv@tassie.net.au

Website:

www.apsleygorgevineyard.com

Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.

Climate data* for sites on the East Coast highlight the wide range of growing conditions here. Consider: Saltwater River Wines (MJT 16.0°C; 859 GDD) and Sterling Heights (MJT 18.3°C; 1267 GDD).

Vineyard sites on the Australian mainland are far warmer than those in Tasmania.

South Australia's Piccadilly Valley* (MJT 20.4°C; 1730 GDD) and Macedon Ranges* (MJT 19.9°C; 1365 GDD) in Victoria are regarded as the coolest GIs in their respective states.

Climate data* for Rosedale Road, 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 809mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 496mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 192mm
• Mean January temperature: 17.0°C
• Growing degree-days: 988 GDD
• Average no of hot days (35°C or more) per year: 0
• Average no of cold days (minimum 4°C or less) Sept 1-April 30: 23

*Source: My Climate View, utilising past data from the Bureau of Meteorology and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Funded by the Australian Government.

Last page update: January 2026