Yellow Point Vineyard
Yellow Point Pinot Noir hit the market with a bang in 2011. The 2008 vintage won a gold medal and three trophies at the Tasmanian Wine Show judged by luminaries Halliday and Hooke. The win surprised even its vineyard founder. Kingston dental surgeon Martin Bastick joshed he was only the gardener on the Birchs Bay site.
The vineyard's successes were all due to contract winemaker Julian Alcorso, Bastick claimed.
Going off with a bang somehow seemed appropriate. Bastick was a former British Army officer. His scenic waterside property had colonial connections. In the early 19th century, it was part of a string of D'Entrecasteaux Channel semaphore stations, relaying signals back to Hobart Town. During the 1840s, soldiers from the 11th Regiment of Foot ('the Bloody 11th') guarded its convicts and meagre military assets.
Relics from the era – including a soldier's tunic button – have been found on the property.
'Bloody 11th' went on the label. 'Bloody awful!' went the industry.
When Kerry and Louise O'Brien took on Yellow Point in mid-2018, they were ready for a change. Their hobby vineyard in the Tamar Valley had been bearing fruit since 2012. But blood is thicker than water. The couple needed to be closer to family.
Yellow Point was established in 2000 with a small patch of Riesling, and around 1.0ha of Pinot Noir that followed in 2004. Vines were grown on from cuttings, taken with help and advice from Eric and Jette Phillips, founders of Elsewhere Vineyard. The Glaziers Bay property enjoyed remarkable consumer and wine show success under their care.
Bastick's site was rich in history, but far from ideal. The soil was lean and hungry, with heavy clay anchoring vines. Strong northerly or nor'westerly winds helped reduce disease pressure, but played havoc with flowering and fruit set. Periodic damage to sensitive shoot tips kept yields low while increasing fruit intensity.
Successive vintages of Pinot Noir wine displayed deep colours and bold flavours, sure signs of vineyard terroir at work.
Swish new labels telegraphed O'Brien stewardship of the property. The past seven years have seen the couple refining Yellow Point's vineyard expression – on a site now exclusively Pinot Noir. Meticulous hands-on viticulture combines with a focus on minimal winemaking intervention to encourage greater elegance and fruit purity.
Both play to the strengths of contract makers – and fellow Huon/Channel growers – Paul and Gilli Lipscombe. The couple's own wines from Sailor Seeks Horse have been truly inspirational.
Less bang. More bang on.
Watch this space.
Key details:
- Kerry O'Brien: owner/operator
- Louise O'Brien: owner/operator
- Paul and Gilli Lipscombe: contract winemakers, Sailor Seeks Horse
Vineyard/cellar door address:
3755 Channel Highway Birchs Bay TAS 7162
Cellar door visits and tastings by appointment
Telephone:
+61 (0) 419 007 780
Email:
contact@yellowpoint.com.au
Website:
www.yellowpoint.com.au
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 Channel Highway, Birchs Bay 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 830mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 426mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 188mm
- Mean January temperature: 16.4°C
- Growing degree-days: 927 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: 11
*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