Heriots Point

When the merchant vessel Castle Forbes took a wrong turn while transporting free settlers to Hobart in 1836, it ended up in the shallows of the Huon River. Passengers were forced to disembark in what became known as Castle Forbes Bay. Within a decade, it was home to timber fellers, boatbuilders and river traders. 

Within 50 years, families were supporting or operating many of the 552 orchards spread throughout the valley.

By the time Evan Rolley took ownership of Heriots Point Farm in the early 1990s, the Heriot and Walker families that preceded him had gone. So too had all the apples.

Sometime in 1996, the trained forester began planting blue gums to recreate the original habitat of blue gums and blackwood. Added nearby were 1000 each of Chardonnay, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir vines, sourced from Panorama, Moorilla and Hartzview Vineyards. It was the beginning of Rolley's carefully planned re-establishment of mixed farming at Heriots Point.

Growing conditions on the property are defined by cool summers, long autumns and wet winters. Reliable air drainage from the surrounding hills takes place all through the year. Soils here are predominantly dolerite-derived clays and free-draining loams with patches of gravel. 

The Huon River – some 600-700 metres wide at Heriots Point – moderates frosts and delivers reflected light to slowly ripen the grapes.

The vineyard had its first vintage in 2000. Subsequent expansion and rationalisation over the past two decades have seen plantings consolidated to a manageable 2ha. Rolley's hands-on approach to viticulture is fastidious. He says public enemy #1 in these parts is botrytis and he isn't having any of it, thank you. The vineyard is a veritable showpiece. 

A charming little cellar door facility – a repurposed boathouse – lies just a grape toss away from the vines.

A short walk takes visitors to well-appointed vineyard cabin accommodation that catches the northern sun throughout the year. An intimate private deck offers spectacular views across the vineyard to the Huon River and Wellington Mountain Ranges beyond.

Heriots Point Vineyard and Boutique Accommodation is rated 4.8 by guests supporting Google Reviews.

The first wines from the property were made by Michael Vishacki at Panorama Vineyard. More recent vintages are made under contract by Kate Hill at her Huonville winery. The Heriot Point range spans tiny volumes of traditional method sparkling wine and still table wines.

The good news is that Rolley is content to sit back and allow his flagship Pinot Noirs to develop to their full potential before being released for cellar door and online sales. The current offerings include Pinot Noirs from 2010 ($38), 2012 ($38.50) and 2013 ($37).

Remarkable.

Valley visitors can cruise to and from Heriots Point on the Heritage Wooden Boat 'LaDrone' operated by Huon River Cruises. The Franklin-based operator was named among the top 10 percent of tourism experiences worldwide when it was included among the 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award.

Key details:

• Evan Rolley: owner/operator
• Kate Hill: contract winemaker, Kate Hill Wines

Vineyard/cellar door address:

3883 Huon Highway, Castle Forbes Bay TAS 7116

Telephone:

+61 (0) 418 553 874

Email:

heriots.point@gmail.com

Website:

www.heriotspoint.com

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

Climate data* for sites in the Huon Valley/D'Entrecasteaux Channel highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Nandroya, Two Bud Spur (both MJT 14.8°C; 622 GDD) and Bruny Island Premium Wines (MJT 15.4°C; 747 GDD) appear to be the coolest sites south of Hobart.

Tinderbox Vineyard (MJT 17.3°C; 1088 GDD) and Trial Bay Estate (MJT 17.1°C; 1044 GDD) are the warmest.

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 the Huon Highway, Castle Forbes Bay 1995-2024:

• Total annual average rainfall: 830mm
• Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 406mm
• Average autumn rainfall: 177mm
• Mean January temperature: 16.8°C
• Growing degree-days: 946 GDD
• Average no of hot days (35°C or more) per year: 1
• 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