Yaxley Estate

While Yaxley Estate was established back in 1991, it was not until '98 that it offered each of the four wines from its vineyard plantings. Once again, it is the small batch-handling skills (and patience) of Frogmore Creek that have made the venture possible. The vineyard (pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and chardonnay) was certified organic in 2010. In the '13 bushfires in Tasmania, Yaxley was the only vineyard to be destroyed by fire, a cruel fate. Owner John Yaxley, himself a country fire fighter, had the choice of using the vineyard sprinkler system to save the vineyard or a shed that housed $60 000 worth of wine. He chose the latter, but also lost the grand Pentagon-shaped hilltop house. -JAMES HALLIDAY