EXPLORE TASMANIA

Your guide to the best flavours from the winegrowing regions.

Wine and food aficionados flock to Tasmania for the pure quality of its produce, including seafood and cheese.

The island state has been dubbed “the new Champagne” because of its outstanding sparkling wines and has emerged as a premium region over the past 20 years. Although there is only one appellation for the island's wine there are seven unofficial sub-regions ranging from the Tamar Valley and Pipers River in the north (home to sparkling brands such as Arras, Jansz and Clover Hill) to the Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valleys that encircle Hobart and are best known for fine chardonnays and pinot noirs. Josef Chromy has been instrumental in the development of the Tasmanian food and wine industry and is now a successful family owned winery. Other producers that are synonymous with Tasmania include Pipers Brook, Delamere, Holm Oak, Tamar Ridge, Holyman, Freycinet, Spring Vale, Stefano Lubiana, Derwent Estate, Pooley and Home Hill. Wine and food aficionados flock to Tasmania for the pure quality of its produce including seafood (particularly salmon) and cheese.

Launceston and Tamar Valley

The largest city in the north region of Tasmania, Launceston, is a vibrant hub for food, wine and culture.  The city is located on the banks of the Tamar River and is the gateway to the Tamar Valley, Tasmania’s oldest wine-growing area and a place where premium cool-climate wines, outstanding fresh produce and award-winning restaurants go hand in hand. The cellar doors, vineyard restaurants and farmers’ markets of Launceston and the north offer some of the best gourmet experiences in Australia.

The Tamar Valley Wine Route is Tasmania's leading wine tourism region.

The Tamar Valley Wine Route is Tasmania's leading wine tourism region, stretching from Relbia, south of Launceston, along both banks of the Tamar River and then north-east to Pipers River. The route stretches over 170km and includes Abel Gin and over 30 cellar doors ranging from big names such as Pipers Brook, Tamar Ridge, Jansz and Bay of Fires to tiny boutique operations such as Sinapius and Wines for Joanie. Tamar Valley varieties of note are chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir and merlot.

MUST-VISIT CELLER DOORS

Hobart and surrounds

The capital city of Tasmania is surrounded by three separate cool-climate wine sub-regions: the Derwent Valley to the north, Coal River Valley to the east and the sleepy Huon Valley to the south. All three are within a 30-40 minute drive of the city and all have two or three major producers. The Huon Valley is the coolest winemaking region in the state and is known for its intense pinot noirs and chardonnays.

The Huon Valley is the coolest winemaking region in the state and is known for its intense pinot noirs and chardonnays. 

Other than gamay and sylvaner many other varieties struggle to ripen here. Home Hill is a regular show award-winner, including the 2015 Jimmy Watson Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. Other local standouts include Panorama (recently purchased by the Lubiana family), Kate Hill, Sailor Seeks Horse and Two Bud Spur. Stefano Lubiana Wines and Derwent Estate are the big names on the south bank of the Derwent River, while Frogmore Creek, Pooley, Puddleduck and Craigow are among the Coal Valley stars.