The Beginning

Every vineyard starts with a single vine, and Birdhill was no different. Long before the rows stretched across the hillside, Bradley and Elaine were carefully propagating cuttings by hand in their greenhouse, nurturing each vine from its earliest stages. What followed was years of planting, building, learning, and growing often with family and friends lending a helping hand. These early years laid the foundations for Birdhill, transforming an open paddock into a vineyard that reflects the passion, patience, and dedication behind every bottle we produce today.

The Site

The vineyard sits on South-East facing slopes composed of ancient Jurassic dolerite soils, renowned for producing some of the world's finest Pinot Noir.

The steep slopes, cool-climate conditions and carefully selected clones, allows fruit to achieve exceptional flavour concentration while retaining natural acidity and freshness.

The First Planting - Pinot Noir

In 2020, Birdhill's first vineyard block was established with approximately 3,000 Pinot Noir vines planted on the southern slopes of the property.

The planting included the MV6 and D4V2 clones, selected for their suitability to Tasmania's cool-climate conditions and their ability to produce wines with concentration, balance, and natural acidity. This first planting marked the beginning of Birdhill's journey as a vineyard and provided the foundation for future expansion across the site.

The hands-on approach extends beyond the vines themselves. Much of the vineyard infrastructure has been built using recycled materials, including posts, wire and irrigation components, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and resourcefulness.

Expanding the Vineyard

As Birdhill continued to grow, a second vineyard block was planted in 2022.

Located on a steep east-facing slope, this block contains a further 3,000 Pinot Noir vines, including clones 777, 667, 115, 0013, D5V12 and Abel.

This mix will contribute a further complexity to the wines, and each clone will contribute different character to the wines depending on the conditions or the vintage. 

Chardonnay

In 2022, Birdhill was gifted 600 Chardonnay vines from a neighbouring vineyard.

The vines, consisting of clones 76 and 95, were planted alongside the second Pinot Noir block on the eastern slope.

These vines produce fruit with exceptional levels of powerful acidity, making them particularly suited to sparkling wine production. In warmer seasons, the fruit may also be crafted into elegant table wines that showcase the unique character of the site.

Our Craftmanship

At Birdhill Vineyards, we believe the finest wine is made among the vines. Through sustainable practices and hands-on care, every row is nurtured with patience, dedication, and respect for the land. From pruning in winter to harvesting by hand, Brad and Elaine are personally involved in every stage of the journey.

This commitment to quality over quantity allows us to produce small-batch Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that capture the beauty, character, and unique spirit of Tasmania's Coal River Valley.