Elsewhere Vineyard
It was former Treasurer and PM Paul Keating that famously asked 'can a soufflé rise twice'? Much the same question could be asked of Owen and Eve Knight and their renowned Elsewhere Vineyard. The 10ha property had well in excess of 15 minutes of fame back in the 1990s. Could that be achieved all over again?
When the Knights took on ownership of the Glaziers Bay property in 2015, there had been a long period of under utilisation and a steady decline in vineyard management and critical infrastructure. In its heyday, Elsewhere had been one of the industry's leading lights.
Born and raised the son of a local priest in the Huon Valley, vineyard founder Eric Phillips worked as a volunteer worker abroad before returning to the fold with his Danish-born wife, Jette. They planned a thriving cut flower business on their 10ha site overlooking the river.
With three years' experience in south-west France behind him – where he learned to become 'le Jacques of all trades', tending vines in the field, and making wines in the cellar – Phillips devoted 2ha to cultivating flowers and 8ha to cool climate viticulture.
After first establishing a trial plot in their garden, the couple began their high-density plantings of dry-grown vines in 1984. Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir were the chosen ones. Cabernet Sauvignon was an early settler, too.
The latter was unceremoniously removed some years later, despite the 1990 vintage managing rare gold medal successes at the 1994 Tasmanian Regional Wine Show – under the vineyard's own label, and well as the separate, light-bodied Wellington Easy Cabernet, marketed by contract winemaker Andrew Hood.
Indeed, vintage after vintage, Elsewhere wines brought critical acclaim and buckets of wine show gold through the 1990s. Five Royal Hobart Wine Show trophies were won by Elsewhere Pinot Noirs at the six events judged from 1991 to 1996. A further trophy in Cowra and numerous gold medals in various capital city shows added to kudos to the Phillipses' astute chose of site.
Judging panels chaired by James Halliday – and assisted by fellow judge and critic Huon Hooke – awarded Elsewhere Vineyard two trophies and a swag of gold medals at Tasmanian Regional Wine Shows held from 1994 to 1998.
The 1995 Elsewhere Methode Champenoise was among them. That earned it a place among Tasmania's top-tier sparkling wines, no mean feat in the face of stiff competition from the likes of Clover Hill and Lake Barrington Estate.
The 1999 Riesling was not only a gold medal winner, it was shortlisted among Australia and New Zealand's 'Best of the Best' in Halliday's 2002 Wine Companion.
But all good things must come to an end.
The Knights have spent a decade breathing new life into their property's old vines. The couple now manage three disparate blocks, each with their own special terroir. Close to 240km of new trellis wire and 5000 upright posts were part of their vineyard renewal program.
Careful consideration has been given to vineyard irrigation, but those old soldiers still continue to fossick for their own water and nutrients. Smaller than average grape bunches come jam-packed with intensity of aroma and flavour.
Babydoll Southdown miniature sheep carry out lawn-mowing, while free-ranging chickens do double duty with pest control and soil aeration. Several breeds of cattle roam freely over winter.
True to Eric and Jette Phillips' long-sighted vision, Elsewhere is not just a vineyard. It's become a working farm once again.
New life is slowly returning to seasonal releases of Elsewhere Vineyard wines. The single vineyard Glaziers Bay releases from Keira O'Brien's Rivulet Wines have been especially impressive since 2022.
So, can a soufflé rise twice?
Maybe not just now, but surely elsewhere.
Key details:
Owen Knight: owner/operator
Eve Knight: owner/operator
Liam McElhinney: senior winemaker, Tasmanian Vintners
Vineyard/cellar door address:
584 Silver Hill Road, Glaziers Bay, Tasmania 7109
Seasonally open to visitors for tastings and sales
Refer to website for details
Telephone:
+61 (0) 401 975 195
Email:
owen@elsewherevineyard.com.au
Website:
www.elsewherevineyard.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 Silver Hill Road 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