Tasmania wine region

Travel Guide to Tasmania Wine Region

Cooler Climate Australian Wines

Because of its more southerly location, Tasmania has a cooler climate than other Australian wine regions such as Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales. Therefore, Tasmania produces wines that are distinctly different from those made in the rest of the country. The main varietals grown in the region are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Unlike many other regions, the impacts of global warming have been positive on the Tasmanian wine region, allowing most of the grapes to fully ripen and therefore produce a more vibrant tasting wine. Tasmania’s wine region is further divided into smaller wine-producing areas of North West, the Tamar Valley, the Pipers River, the East Coast, the Coal River Valley, the Derwent Valley, and the Southern area.

Diversity of Tasmanian Wines

The wines produced in Tasmania have been described as exciting as they match perfectly with modern-day tastes and gastronomic trends. The white wines produced in the region are delicate and refreshing and pair perfectly with fresh seafood from the seas surrounding the island. The most popular wines from the region are light-bodied Pinot Noirs, grapefruit-flavored Chardonnay, structured sparkling wines, as well as refined and aromatic Rieslings.

The biggest part of the Tasmanian territory is perfect for the production of dry and aromatic white wines. There are also warmer areas such as the Coal River Valley and the Freycinet Peninsula that are starting to produce well-recognized wines and make their mark on the local Tasmanian and Australian wine industry.

Sparkles of Tasmania

The cool climate of Tasmania has made it the perfect location for the production of sparkling wine. A number of Australia’s most recognizable sparkling wine producers have built their production facilities on the island to produce their Cuvée bases. These Cuvées are later transported to the winery’s main facility on the mainland. More recently even French Champagne producers such as Moet et Chandon have acknowledged the excellent quality sparkling wines produced in Tasmania and have begun using Tasmanian grapes for the production of their own line of Australian sparkling wines.

And Much More

Another very popular wine produced in the area is Tasmanian Riesling, which has achieved high praise from wine critics across the globe. The Riesling of the region is uniquely different from that produced on the mainland with its dry and off-dry notes.

Tasmanian Chardonnay can be described as having a natural acidity with a crisp and lean style. The Pinot Noir is extremely fragrant while having a delicate palate. Tasmanian Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and citrusy while the local Pinot Gris is weighty and spicy with a lovely bouquet of aromatics and a high level of acidity.

Grape Varieties

Within the Tasmania wine region, the most commonly grown grapes are Pinot Noir, 44% for both table and sparkling wines, Chardonnay, 23%, for both table and sparkling wines, Sauvignon Blanc, 12%, Pinot Gris, 11%, Riesling, 5%, and other varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Red Varieties: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

White Varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris

Open Cellar Doors in Tasmania

Bishops Vineyard

The Bishops Vineyard is a small boutique winery located in Southern Tasmania. Bishops Family was the first to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in this area in 1999. The estate produces award-winning, high-quality red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines.

Embrace the beauty of the area along with the award-winning wines from Bishops vineyard.

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Apogee Winery

The history of Apogee Winery begins when the owners were searching for an ideal cool climate to grow grapes, similar to the northern French wine-growing regions. They found a perfect location in Tasmania and nowadays, the estate produces award-winning sparkling wines.

The philosophy of the winery to produce high-quality wines is in location, single-vineyard wines, and the scale. Apogee Winery is committed to limited production capacity in order to maintain the reputation of their high quality.

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Grey Sands Vineyard

Grey Sands Vineyard is a small, family-owned estate located on the western edge of the Tamar Valley in northern Tasmania. The first vineyards were originally planted in 1988.

The name of the winery is linked to the main type of soil on the property, grey sands. The owners chose their particular vineyard site because of the perfect soil, slope, and microclimate needed for vine cultivation.

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Explore more Wineries in Tasmania to discover the exceptional terroirs and wines of Australia.

Places to Visit in Tasmania

Hobart

Top-Ten World Destinations

In recent times Hobart has become increasingly popular because of its dynamic and vibrant food scene. The Incredible range of natural attractions have also contributed to the success of Hobart as a tourist destination. with big ideas. Visitors to Hobart are able to enjoy a wide range of experiences including mountain climbing, hiking, eating fish and chips at floating restaurants on the docks, browsing through bustling markets, and exploring the local history. The city is considered by many to be the hidden gem of Australia and Tasmania.

Launceston – A Vibrant Hub of Food and Wine Culture

The city of Launceston is the second biggest city in Tasmania and is popular for its food, wine, culture, and beautiful natural scenery. Visiting Launceston is like taking a step back in time with its charming and beautiful old towns, excellent cuisine, and breath-taking scenery. Launceston is one of Australia’s oldest cities and is one of the country’s best-preserved cityscapes with examples of Colonial and Victorian architecture blended amongst century old parks. One of the most popular attractions in Launceston is the Cataract Gorge, which is an incredible piece of the Australian wilderness in the heart of the town. Other popular attractions in Launceston are the many art galleries, museums, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, the UTAS Stadium, the Narawntapu National Park, and the surrounding wine-producing areas

Devonport – Spirit of Tasmania

Devonport is situated on the coast of Tasmania and is home to the popular ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania, which transports locals and visitors to and from the mainland from Melbourne. This coastal city is considered to be the gateway to the northwest and is located on the Mersey River and the Bass Strait, meaning that it has spectacular mountain, river, and ocean views. Devonport is popular amongst visitors for its perfect beaches, which are ideal for swimming, surfing, rowing, kayaking, fishing, and sailing. The city also boasts an extensive network of walking and cycling trails through beautiful scenery including the Aboriginal rock carvings. The most popular attractions in Devonport are the Don River Railway, the Bass Strait Maritime Centre, and the range of beautiful city parks.

An Island Nature Paradise

The greatest draw to Tasmania is by far its astounding natural beauty and dramatic landscapes. The scenery found across the island range from steep and rugged mountain cliffs to ancient rainforests, roaring waterfalls, and long white sandy beaches.

Cradle Mountain- The Icon of Tasmania

Cradle Mountain is considered by many to be the natural icon of Tasmania. This towering peak can be found in the center of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which includes one and a half million hectares of national wonder. The landscapes of Cradle Mountain range from rainforests, gorges to snow-covered peaks, moorlands, and glacial lakes. There is something here to satisfy any visitor at any time of the year. The mountain is a treat for nature lovers, giving them the opportunity to see Tasmanian devils, platypus, quolls, wombats, echidna, and the black currawong. Visitors to the mountain can spend hours exploring the extensive network of walking paths and even embark on multi-day hikes through the alpine forests of Tasmania.

Wineglass Bay – Relax in the Magical Beauty

Wineglass Bay is made up of Coles Bay and Freycinet and is considered one of the most relaxing and beautiful places in all of Australia. Accommodation in the area is available to suit the needs of any visitor from camping to ultimate luxury. This region is famous for its breath-taking sunsets, perfect weather, and range of activities from cruising, walking and hiking, quad biking, hot air balloon trips, and dining out. The Freycinet precinct is a must-see for all visitors because of its pink granite cliffs which rise dramatically from the ocean to form one of the top ten beaches in the world.

Tessellated Pavement – An Extraordinary Geological Site 

The Tessellated Pavement is situated at Eaglehawk Neck along the Tasmanian peninsula. The pavement is made up of flat rocks that have broken into blocks resembling a Roman mosaic floor. This sort of geological formation is extremely rare and can be found only in a few places on earth. The Eaglehawk Neck Tessellated Pavement can be found at the northern end of Pirates Bay Beach.

What to Eat in Tasmania

In recent years, Tasmania has developed the reputation of being the leading culinary destination in the Southern Hemisphere. The incredible cuisine of the area is thanks to the rich soil, local farming traditions, and the abundance of high-quality seafood. Although excellent cuisine and restaurants can be found across Tasmania, Hobart has emerged as the food capital of the state and specialties to be enjoyed here are Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, rye whiskey gravlax, shredded pork, Dover Cherries, wild abalone, cheese, leatherwood honey, black truffles, saffron, and wasabi.

Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon

Salmon with a Unique Tasmanian Flavour

Australians eat more salmon than any other fish, particularly because of its health benefits including high levels of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin D. Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon has its beautiful pink color thanks to Astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with a range of health benefits. This antioxidant is found in algae, krill, crabs, and shrimp, which are eaten by the salmon. The most popular salmon in Tasmania is Huon Salmon which is 100% grown and harvested in salmon farms in the area.

Tasmanian Scallop Pie – A Taste of the History of Hobart  

During the 1800s the people of Hobart were searching for oysters in the Derwent River and instead came across a wealth of scallops. Meat pies were already a firm favorite amongst the people of Australia and so this traditional dish was adapted to include scallops. The scallops are mixed with curry powder and baked into savory pies which have become an iconic local food of Tasmania. Tasmanian scallops are only in season from the end of April to the end of July making it the best time to try this style of pie. Pies bought outside of this time of year are most likely made with frozen scallops.

Wild Abalone – The Best Quality Abalone in The World  

Australian Wild Abalone is the highest quality wild-caught abalone in the world. After being harvested, the wild abalone is transported to the state of the art processing facilities in temperature-controlled trucks and carefully unloaded.  This wild abalone is used by some of the world’s top chefs to create a range of amazing dishes. The Abalone is popular not only for its incredible and unique flavor but also for its health benefits as it is an excellent course of Omega 3, protein, iodine, iron, and is low in saturated fat. A lot of cultures across the world view Abalone as a strong aphrodisiac, which puts these sea species in danger.

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