Tasmania

The entire state of Tasmania is a single wine region, though this is a technical point only as a great deal of diversity exists within this small but enchanting island. As you would expect, cool climate wines do best here.

Tasmania as a wine region is easily divided into three general districts. These are, the stunning east coast running from Bicheno right down to Hobart itself; the north coast around Launceston’s Tamar Valley, and including the Pipers River to the north east, and Devonport on the coast; and finally the areas surrounding Hobart, including the Derwent and Huon Valley’s.

Vines generally came to Tasmanian before the other Australian colonies, excepting of course NSW, and it was from Tasmania in fact that many settlers took their cuttings to Victoria and South Australia. As in South Australia, it was German immigrants who first established a successful wine industry and by 1848 Tasmania was winning medals at the Paris Exhibition. But as elsewhere in Australia, these vineyards did not survive the general decline in wine drinking, or the preference for heavy reds that Tasmania could not produce, and by the end of the 19th century Tasmanian’s vineyards had disappeared.

But tastes change and with the great wine boom of the 1970s in Australia, the re-establishment of a Tasmanian wine industry was an inevitable step. Nowadays there are 100’s of vineyards planted in a range of mainly cool-climate wines, such as Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir.

The Tasmania climate is preeminently a cool climate one and its dry, sunny autumns, create the ideal conditions for the maturing of such sparkling wine varieties as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Also, the many mountains of Tasmania create countless valleys for vineyards to establish themselves away from strong winds or too much rain. The regions around Hobart are coldest, with the banks of the Huon River especially cold, and the challenge here is to grow grapes out of the wind.

Sparkling wines dominate in Tasmania, particularly those wines produced from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but also much Riesling and Gewürztraminer, while there are some locations that even produce Cabernet and Shiraz. These wines are produced by over 140 licensed wine producers.

The wineries of Tasmania specialise in providing great views and exquisite surroundings, including accommodation, so as to provide you with an all round sense of luxury while you sample their great wines. One of these is the Herons Rise Vineyard, a family owned and operated vineyard with splendid views across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to Bruny Island. Herons Rise Vineyard has three beautiful self-contained cottages, though dinners (with wine of course!) are also served in the cottages, which are just above the tiny village of Kettering. Herons Rise Vineyard was first planted in 1984 and has views of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island that would be hard to beat anywhere in the world. Grape varieties are Riesling, Pinot Noir and Muller Thurgau. The Muller Thurgau is a German white wine variety that does best in a cool climate, recently receiving a bronze medal at the Tasmanian Wine Show.

If you are looking for a vineyard that strives hard to provide you with an all round cultural experience, then you cannot go past the Morilla Estate. Located on the Derwent River, just outside of Hobart, the Morilla Estate not only has great wines and a fabulous restaurant but also has a museum of antiquities and a contemporary art collection! These are all set in stunningly designed buildings that allow you not only to enjoy the great views but also to see the winemakers at work.

For yet another beautiful area of Tasmania, the Freycinet Coast is not to be missed and while there, Spring Vale Wines at Cranbrook, north of Swansea, is to be seen. Rodney and Lyn Lyne began their vineyard in 1986, planting Pinot Noir and then diversifying into Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Meunier. The site itself is full of history, with the cellar door actually a convict built stable dating back to 1842. Located in some of the driest districts of Tasmania, irrigation at Spring Vale is necessary, as is protection from frosts. Truly a family affair, daughter Kristen has studied winemaking, including a stint in France, and with husband Dave has been taking over the winemaking at Spring Vale.

To celebrate the wine and food culture of Tasmania the island hosts many great events throughout the year, including the Royal Hobart Wine Show. The Taste of Tasmania is a seven day festival of wine and food set on the Hobart harbour front that begins as the Sydney to Hobart finishes in December. And in February is Festivale, held in the City Park Launceston, and in Ranelagh (just south of Hobart) in March, there is the Taste of the Huon.

Tasmania has much to offer in the way of regional foods to go with its great wines. These include Cape Barren goose, quail, deer and other game, as well as superb lamb and veal. Mushroom farms produce champignons, oysters and shitakes. And, a truffle industry has recently been established.

Sparkling wines are produced around Tasmania, usually with the bottle-fermented method. The Chardonnay of Tasmania is of a more delicate type than in other parts of Australia, while Tasmanian Rieslings are some of the best in Australia. Also produced are Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noir styles made exclusively with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir grapes. Pinot Noir is Tasmania’s most widely planted red, producing excellent aromatic wines.