Tasmania is one of Australia’s best cool-climate wine-growing areas and is home to some of its finest wines. Just 15 minutes from the state’s capital, Hobart, lies the Coal River Valley, making these wineries the closest to Hobart and, thus, an easy day trip.
Coal River Valley is recognised for its fine Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Reisling wines. It is a reasonably young wine region, with the first wineries appearing in the 1970s. Since then, a number of boutique cellar doors have opened. We visited four of them – Nocton Vineyard, Pooley Wines, Every Man and His Dog Vineyard and Puddleduck Vineyard, and we enjoyed lunch at The Richmond Arms Hotel in Richmond.
Things to remember
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- Most wineries now charge a tasting fee; some offer to redeem that fee on wine purchases.
- It is best to make a booking. Most wineries have a website with an easy-to-use booking system. You will find contact details, including websites, in this article.
- Group bookings are essential.
- Driving while ‘under the influence’ is illegal in Australia, so always have a designated driver. All tasting rooms have spittoons, and sharing tastings with a partner is acceptable. Alternatively, join a winery tour and leave the driving up to someone else.
- Use the five s’s – see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savour – to get the most out of your tasting.
A good place to start looking for winery tours in the Coal River Valley is with Trip Advisor or Viator.
Coal River Valley Wine Tasting
Nocton Vineyard
Nocton was our first winery for the day and one of our favourites. Not only do they make delicious wines, but they also provide an informative, friendly tasting in a delightful setting. With a view encompassing vineyards, a river and rolling hills, it was no wonder the staff were so happy, friendly and talkative – it would be a lovely workplace. We enjoyed a guided tasting seated on the deck. We do not hesitate to recommend Nocton – put this vineyard on your list of those to visit.
What is there? Wine, tasting or by the glass.
Food? Not that I am aware of.
Wine varieties include – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Rose, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.
Our pick – Merlot
Cost – Complimentary guided tasting
Wine Per Bottle – $28 – $55
Location – 373 Colebrook Road, Richmond
Cellar Door Open Times – Daily 1000 – 1600 (Closed on Good Friday & Christmas day, and half a day on ANZAC day)
Phone – (03) 6260 2688
Website – https://www.noctonwine.com.au/
Pooley Wines
Pooley’s has an impressive set-up. We visited early in the day and on a weekday, so it was quiet when we were there. However, it looks like a great place to hang out on the weekends, drinking wine and munching on pizza. There is ample seating inside and outside – even beanbags!
What is there? Wine, tasting or by the glass & food menu.
Food? Local cheeses and charcuterie boards. Artisan wood-fired pizzas are available from Friday to Sunday (bookings essential).
Wine varieties include – Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Rose and Syrah.
Our pick – Pooley Pinot Noir.
Cost – $15 or $25 for single vineyard tasting.
Wine Per Bottle – $42 – $125
Location – 1431 Richmond Road, Richmond
Cellar Door Open Times – Daily 1000 – 1700 (Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday)
Phone – (03) 6260 2895
Website – https://www.pooleywines.com.au/
Every Man and His Dog Vineyard
It was very busy at Every Man and His Dog when we visited after lunch. So busy, in fact, we were told it was a considerable wait before we could do a tasting. Despite that, we could enjoy a glass of wine, which we did, and The Captain bought himself one of the homemade chocolates, which he deemed delicious. It was a shame we hadn’t made a booking in advance for a tasting, but we did enjoy our visit nonetheless.
What is there? Wine, tasting or by the glass, wine & chocolate pairing, food menu, wedding venue, accommodation.
Food? Charcuterie and Cheese Platters, wood-fired pizzas and sweets.
Wine varieties include – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Our pick – Cabernet Sauvignon (we didn’t try anything else).
Cost – Tastings start at $7
Wine Per Bottle – $32 – $49
Location – 1314 Richmond Road, Richmond
Cellar Door Open Times – Thursday to Tuesday 1200 – 1700
Phone – (03) 6250 3435
Website – https://www.everymanandhisdogvineyard.com
Puddleduck Vineyard
Our last stop for the day was Puddleduck Vineyard. Puddleduck is a family-friendly vineyard with a large cellar door complex. As well as delicious wine, they are known for their Reverse BYO. You bring a picnic lunch, and they’ll supply the beverages. There is ample room for people to relax by the dam or sit on the deck and watch the ducks puddling. We chose to do the standing tasting as we were ready to call it a day. In hindsight, and with more time for organisation, we would have enjoyed a picnic and a bottle of wine… after a tasting paddle (so we could choose our wine, of course)!
What is there? Wine, tasting or by the glass, food menu and reverse BYO, vineyard tours, Everything Ducky Duck Shop, playground and duck feeding.
Food? Charcuterie and cheese platters, soup, oysters, dips + a children’s menu.
Wine varieties include – Reisling, Fume Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose and Pinot Noir.
Our pick – Bubbleduck (sparkling).
Cost – $5 standing tasting, $15 paddle taster or $20 for something unique.
Wine Per Bottle – $38 – $120
Location – 992 Richmond Road, Richmond
Cellar Door Open Times – Daily 1000 – 1700 (Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and some public holidays).
Phone – (03) 6260 2301
Website – https://www.puddleduck.com.au/
More things to do in Tasmania?
King Solomon Cave / Sheffield – The Town of Murals / Tamar Valley Wine Tasting
More wine tasting in Australia & New Zealand? Tamar Valley Wine Tasting / Cellar Door Tasting – Kangaroo Island / Barossa Valley Wine Tasting / Wine Tasting in the Adelaide Hills / 11 Hawke’s Bay Wineries You Must Visit
More Information
Currency
Australian dollar – AUD – written here as $
Accommodation
We typically book our accommodation through booking.com. We like the convenience of booking online, and we can usually pay for our accommodation on arrival at the hotel/resort or room. Also, booking.com advertise many different accommodation styles in Hobart, so you are sure to find the perfect place.
While in Hobart, we stayed at…
Cost – We paid $136.89 for the first night and $152.10 for the other.
Pros – Nice size room in the motel section. Everything was pleasant. I like having a table with chairs in the room. The iron and ironing board came in handy, as did the safe. We had a meal at the Bistro. The roast was delicious, and I liked that you could order small or large serves.
Cons – The bed is not super comfortable, but it does suffice.
Verdict – Pleasant place for a few days.
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