Lake Barrington Estate
What is it about growing grapes and making wine that causes otherwise rational people to swap everyday lives and set off into the great unknown as pioneering viticulturists and vignerons? When Sydney-siders Travis and Bree Klerk purchased Lake Barrington Estate in August 2016, it seems to have been prompted by some divine intervention.
The couple had toured the State on a holiday the year before and had fallen in love with the West Kentish district and its Lake Barrington Vineyard. They flippantly agreed that if it snowed while they were away, it would be a sign for them to move to the State.
Lo and behold, a rare dump of heavy snow blanketed all of West Kentish. On returning to Tasmania in early 2016 to settle permanently, the Klerks discovered their dream vineyard was for sale.
The rest is history.
The vineyard figures among the earliest planted in Tasmania's North West. It was established in 1984 by Dr Roger Taylor – a Launceston gynaecologist – along with his dietician wife, Maree.
Their aim was to create premium cool climate wines, particularly traditional method sparkling wines. Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir were on their shopping list. So too – rather optimistically – were Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Early vintages were made by renowned contract winemaker Andrew Hood. A cosy vineyard cellar door opened in 1993, overlooking voluminous grapevine canopies and picturesque Lake Barrington, with Mount Roland beyond.
Tragically, Roger Taylor died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1994. It left Maree continue to the vineyard legacy. The couple's 1993 Alexandra sparkling wine – named for their daughter, born shortly after Roger's death – received rapturous critical acclaim on release. It won numerous major awards, including the Royal Hobart Wine Show's 1996 Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine. Corresponding trophies were collected at the 1996 and 1997 Tasmanian Wine Shows.
The 1998 Alexandra topped its class in the 2005 Tasmanian Wine Show, picking up yet another trophy.
Maree Taylor – with her parents Kath and Barry Flude – carried the founder's torch for more than a decade with extraordinary passion and success. But by 2015, it was time to move on.
The property's purchase by Melbourne couple Charles and Jill Macek brought renewed investment and direction to the challenging project. White Rock Vineyard principal Phil Dolan took the small family operation under his wing to ensure changes were made for the better. Prestige sparkling wine production was made the primary focus, with contract winemaker Alain Rousseau at Frogmore Creek Wines in the Coal River Valley continuing to transform cool-grown fruit into liquid gold.
The vineyard's trump cards are north-facing slopes, volcanic soils and long sunshine hours. These combine with ultra-cool temperatures across the seasons to give hand-harvested fruit its characteristic bracing acidity and neatly chiselled flavours. Qualities highly-prized for long-ageing vintage fizz.
In 2025, Lake Barrington Estate's portfolio includes the 1999 Alexandra, a special late-disgorged wine, aged on lees in a wine cave for an astonishing 22 years.
That noted, wine production here remains a marginal financial proposition, thanks to nature's seasonal vagaries. It's no surprise then that the Klerks have made significant recent investment in the development of an on-site glamping business.
Like a room with a view? Look no further.
Key principals:
Travis Klerk: owner/operator
Bree Klerk: owner/operator
Alain Rousseau: contract winemaker (sparkling), Frogmore Creek Wines
Andrew Gaman: contract winemaker (table wines), Eastford Creek
Vineyard/cellar door address:
1136 West Kentish Rd, West Kentish TAS 7306
Telephone:
+61 (0) 435 587 000
Email:
info@lakebarringtonvineyard.com.au
Website:
www.lakebarringtonestate.com.au
Tasmanian viticulture takes place within a diverse mix of soil types and microclimates.
Climate data* for sites in North West Tasmania highlight the wide diversity of growing conditions here. Consider: White Rock Vineyard (MJT 17.7°C; 1081 GDD) and Leven Valley Vineyard (MJT 15.3°C; 701 GDD).
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 Victoria's Macedon Ranges* (MJT 19.9°C; 1365 GDD) are regarded as the coolest GIs in their respective states.
Climate data* for West Kentish Road 1995-2024:
- Total annual average rainfall: 1169mm
- Growing season average rainfall (Oct 1-Apr 30): 494mm
- Average autumn rainfall: 242mm
- Mean January temperature: 15.7°C
- Growing degree-days: 762 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: 37
*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: October 2025