Explore Tasmania's four major wine regions and savor the stories behind them.
In Tasmania, every aroma of wine carries the essence of terroir and time. The cool climate nurtures not only wines, but also the innovative legends and family memories flowing in oak barrels. Today, let's embark on a delightful journey through the flavors and terroirs of four major wine regions. Would you also like to meet those humble yet passionate winemakers?
【Southern Wine Trail】
From Hobart northwards, the fertile Coal River Valley and Derwent Valley are dotted with unique wineries, forming part of the Southern Wine Trail. You can stroll into Pooley Wines and enjoy weekend wood-fired pizzas while tasting wines; or head to Frogmore Creek for lunch while admiring the stunning views of the valley and vineyards. In the Twente Valley, Stefano Lubiana welcomes visitors with Tuscan flair, offering not only wine tastings but also Italian cuisine; while Derwent Estate provides tasting tours and lunch experiences, its vines, grown in ancient limestone quarries, imparting unique flavors to its wines.
The emerging winery Mewstone Wines, nestled in a former cherry orchard, boasts a tasting room overlooking the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and offers private tastings. Winemaker Jonathan Hughes, who spent seven years at the historic Moorilla winery within the Museum of Old and New Arts (MONA), now runs Mewstone with his brother Matthew, focusing on small-batch production of Chardonnay, Syrah, and Riesling. For a more experimental experience, try Mewstone's natural wines or the 2021 collaborative laboratory cider made from apples from a twelve-year-old orchard.
In the Turrakana/Tasman Peninsula region, you can visit Bream Creek Vineyard, sip a glass of Pinot Noir, and gaze at the picturesque Marion Bay. Bangor Vineyard Shed carries an even deeper history—it's situated on a historic, generationally owned farm, the very spot where Dutch explorer Abel Tasman landed in Tasmania in 1642.
If you visit in November, don't miss Spring in the Vines in Southern Tasmania. Local wineries will open their doors for a week of unique tastings, guided tours, and wine-themed events, allowing you to fully experience the charm of Southern wines!
【Tamar Valley Wine Trail】
The Tamar Valley is Tasmania's oldest and most prestigious wine region, adjacent to Launceston in northern Tasmania. Robert Heywood, chief winemaker at Clover Hill Wines, firmly believes this is "the best place in the New World for developing sparkling wines." Clover Hill is renowned for its award-winning sparkling wines made using the traditional method, and Heywood states, "You won't find a more ideal climate in the Southern Hemisphere."
At Pipers River Winery, the expansive views and vineyard vistas are breathtaking, making it an excellent spot for wine tasting. Meanwhile, the family-owned Delamere Vineyards, specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, benefits from a stable climate and abundant sunshine, creating ideal growing conditions. Owner and winemaker Fran Austin explains, "After winter frosts and occasional bad weather, the fruit ripens slowly and evenly, ensuring that wines made in the cooler climate retain a persistent acidity."
In November, you can also attend the Effervescence Tasmania Sparkling Wine Festival and enjoy top-notch sparkling wines with over 1200 wine enthusiasts. At Josef Chromy Wine, a top-tier modern winery in Relbia, you can also experience special sparkling wine-themed activities such as "Yoga in the Vines" and "Bubbles & Beats."
【East Coast Wine Trail】
As one of Australia's oldest family businesses, Gala Estate has a long and rich history. Its original family farm, located in Cranbrook, was established in 1821 and is still in operation today. Co-owner Grainne Greenhil says, "Our family has lived on this land for 200 years; we know it like the back of our hand." From managing convicts to successfully operating sheep farms and grain growers, the family business has evolved. "From 4,000 hectares, we've selected 11 hectares of the highest quality, steep, north-facing iron ore slopes. We have four natural rivers and five private forest reserves, and we understand the local soil, vines, climate, and nature. We listen to the land and give back to it," Greenhil says.
Gala Estate is one of six vineyards around Cranbrook. The family-run Spring Vale Vineyards has its story etched in stone, with its tasting room housed in a stable built in 1842 by exiled convicts. Nearby Craigie Knowe Winery is the oldest vineyard on the East Coast—its vines were first planted in 1979. Devil’s Corner’s cellars not only tell a story but also offer breathtaking views—climb the wooden observation tower for panoramic vistas of the Freycinet Peninsula.
In September, you can delve into the talents of the region’s winemakers during Great Eastern Wine Week. The event features a variety of masterclasses, tasting dinners, and other unique vineyard activities throughout the East Coast. In November, there’s another unmissable festival: the Bicheno Food and Wine Festival, where you can enjoy exquisite cuisine and fine wines on the stunning waterfront.
【Northwest Wine Trail】
With Cradle Mountain as a backdrop, Northwest Tasmania is a stunning wine region. A 15-minute drive from the Spirit of Tasmania wharf in Devonport will take you to the renowned Ghost Rock Wines. Its tasting room and restaurant offer panoramic views of vineyards, rolling countryside, and the Bass Strait. This 27-hectare family-owned winery is now run by the second generation, maintaining traditional hand-growing and nurturing practices.
Inspired by their youth in the Emilia-Romagna region of north-central Italy, Marcus and Gail Burns have created La Villa Wines, an Italian-style winery in the Spreyton area.
In Tasmania's four major wine regions, every bottle tells a story, and every winemaker is a storyteller. Coming here is not just about tasting wine, but also about experiencing the love and dedication that these skilled winemakers have for this land.
📷 Photos / © Samuel Shelley, Tourism Australia, Tourism Tasmania, Supplied Courtesy of Clover Hill Wines, Adam Gibson, Andrew Wilson, Samuel Shelley, Osborne Images, Rob Burnett, Puddlehub, Big Shed Studios