We were off to Tasmania, and I was super excited. Tasmania was the only Australian state we had yet to visit. I already had a list of activities I would try to do during our stay, and wine tasting was at the top!
Tasmania’s first commercial vineyard was planted in 1823 by ex-convict Bartholomew Broughton. Now there are 230 vineyards spread over seven wine-growing regions in Tasmania. I knew I couldn’t taste them all, but it didn’t stop me from trying. The Tamar Valley is one of the seven wine-growing areas. It is in the north of Tasmania, near Launceston, where we tasted our first delicious Tassie Pinot Noirs.
Tasmania is one of the best cool-climate wine-growing areas in Australia. It is ideal for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines. And boy, did the wines live up to my expectations! But not only wine. Tasmania has an exciting food industry with freshly caught or farmed seafood, beef, honey, cheese, chocolate, olives and apples. It is not called the Apple Isle for nothing! Yes, Tasmania’s food and wine industry is booming; I wanted a piece of it.
We devoured oysters, scallop pies, fresh fish and chips, scrumptious cherries and stone fruit, boutique gin, whisky, beer, and wine.
We are both predominately red wine drinkers, and we were not expecting too much from the light-style pinot noirs. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the exciting and complex flavours. Yes, I am now a fan of pinot noir.
Things to remember
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- Most wineries now charge a tasting fee, some offer to redeem that fee on wine purchases.
- If you intend to go wine tasting on the weekends, 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 usually 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.
- Use the five s’s – see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savour – to get the most out of your tasting.
Tamar Valley Wine Tasting
Iron Pot Bay Vineyard
The first winery we visited was Iron Pot Bay Vineyard, owned by our friends, the Mani family. I hadn’t tasted their wines before and was very impressed with their range, which included Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Enjoy cellar door tasting in a picturesque century-old cottage (1907). In a wholly serendipitous occurrence, a few years after purchasing the vineyard, the owner, Julieanne, discovered that her Grandmother had lived in the house in 1937.
This family-operated vineyard handpicks its grapes. I can personally recommend their delicious wines. Excitingly, Iron Pot Bay Vineyard was awarded 7th place in ‘Halliday’s People’s Choice Award’ for cellar door experiences; the only Tasmanian business to make it into the Top 10. Put this vineyard on your list of those to visit.
What is there? Wine tasting and sales.
Wine varieties include – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Our visit – We visited Iron Pot Bay Vineyard with our friends Ashok, Phil, and Helen (all people we had surprisingly met in Thailand in 2015!) It was so good to see our friends again, and we met the delightful Julianne and Ashli (the growers of the delicious wine). In the cottage, Ashli shared her vast knowledge of wine with us during a seated wine tasting. Ashli studied for a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology in New Zealand and is now ready to assist in the winemaking!
Our pick – was the 2017 Pinot Meunier Mani and the 2019 Pinot Noir E Block. I need to mention their delicious sparkling 2018 Blanc de Noir The Pearl – it is excellent.
Cost – Guided wine tasting $5 each
Wine Per Bottle – $28 – $50
Location – 7 West Bay Road, Rowella
Cellar Door Open Times – Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 to 16:00
Phone – +61 (0)407 724 511
Website – https://ironpotbayvineyard.com.au
Velo Wines
This family-operated winery follows the traditional methods of harvesting and winemaking. They hand pick, hand plunge and use the gentle basket press method, which they believe is expressed in the character of their wines.
What is there? Guided wine tasting and sales, local produce for sale and a restaurant (Timbre).
Wine varieties include – Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Rose, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Our visit – We had a guided wine tasting. Seated in a large modern space, we tasted six wines – sparkling, two whites, one rose and a couple of reds. The staff were very friendly.
Our pick – Our favourites were the 2022 Pinot Noir and 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon. We purchase a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cost – Guided wine tastings $7 each redeemable on a purchase.
Wine Per Bottle – $30 – $45
Location – 755 West Tamar Highway, Legana
Cellar Door Open Times – 7 days 10:00 – 16:00
Phone – +61 (03) 6330 1582
Phone – (Timbre Restaurant) (03) 63303677
Website – https://velowines.com.au
Josef Chromy Wines
An 1880s homestead surrounded by glorious gardens and vineyards is the setting for seated wine tastings. Their wines are grown, made and bottled on their estate.
What is there? Wine tasting, sales, restaurant and platters. Tour + Tasting + Dining packages
Wine varieties include – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Rose, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
Our visit – After visiting Iron Pot Bay and Velo Wines, we found the atmosphere at Joseph Chromy’s a little stiff. The outdoor areas are stunning and lush. It would be a lovely spot to enjoy wine and a platter on a warm afternoon.
Our pick – 2020 pinot Noir
Cost – Wine flights are $15 per person for 4 x 50ml wines – book online.
Wine Per Bottle – $27 – $115
Location – 370 Relbia Rd, Relbia
Cellar Door Open Times – 7 days, 10:00 to 17:00
Phone – +61 (03) 6335 8700
Website – https://josefchromy.com.au
More wine tasting in Australia & New Zealand? 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 Tasmania, so you are sure to find the perfect place.
During our time in Tasmania, we stayed at the following places.
Horizon Deluxe Apartments
Cost – We paid $249.00 per night
Pros – Fabulous apartment. We enjoyed the view, the spa, and the bed. Fully functional kitchen. Since it was a wet and windy day, we decided to cook a roast lamb. TV had Netflix.
Cons – None, it was fabulous.
Verdict – Luxury. We would stay again. It was lovely.
Mole Creek Cabins
Cost – We paid $160.00 per night
Pros – The cabin-style accommodation is very nice and comfortable. The kitchen facilities were suitable for cooking. It was a very relaxing place. I liked having a heater and heating lights in the bathroom.
Cons – None, it was very pleasant cabin accommodation.
Verdict – This was good accommodation. It would suit families.
Wrest Point
Cost – We paid $136.89 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 the fact 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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