What makes a great cellar door?
Is it the views, the food , the wine , the people the design or architecture the history the sense of place, the fun experience, the company? Having spent ten weeks in Tasmania assisting during vintage at Tamar Ridge I was able to get to many of the Cellar Doors and Wineries in the Tamar, Pipers, East Coast, Huon Valley , Coal River Valley and the Derwent valley. Below are some of my favourites.
1/ East Coast Tasmania -
The east coast is a popular destination on the way to Freycinet National Park where the famous Wineglass Bay is on everyone's Instagram bucket list. From north to south a great spot for surfers when its working, a scenic drive with views across the water to Freycinet National Park and further north around St Helens lie some stunning bays, the wineries are an added bonus.
Off The Beaten Track
a/ Boomer Creek (views/wine/chilled ambience)-
With views looking out over south of Coles Bay across to Freycinet National Park , the wines are of good quality particularly the riesling and they have little outdoor day beds, food platters and chilled tunes to laze the day away. Off the beaten track being further south than many of the other wineries it is definitely worth the detour.
https://boomercreekvineyard.com.au/
BEST VIEWS
b/ Devils Corner (views/food/ many wine styles)
Spectacular views across Coles bay , Pizza for the kids coffee for the adults or some seafood to go with the fresh rieslings on offer. You can try varying tasting panels of wine from entry level wines through to the Mt Amos a seriously good Pinot Noir.
https://www.devilscorner.com.au/
BEST SMALL WINERY EXPERIENCE
c/ Springvale (Historic/ Family Run/ Wines/ Ambience) -
As you drive past the vineyards and the winery you come to the old historic stables built in 1842, that they have turned into a cellar door. Inside it has a warmth and cosy ambience with the wine quality being of an exceptional standard in all the styles particularly the Chardonnays.
https://www.springvalewines.com/
TOURIST SITE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
d/ Iron House (Views/Food/Beer/Whisky /Wine) –
This venue in the White sands resort is more about the views less about the wines. The restaurant was very busy when I was there. A tourist offering that has there own brewery / vineyard/ Cellar Door & Distillery. Sits on the southern point of McIntyres Beach with beautiful views across the water.
2/ Pipers Region-
This region is further north and east of the Tamar Valley proper. Its a tad cooler and later in ripening than the northern Tamar.
TOP CHOICE IN TASMANIA
a/ Clover Hill (views/wines/ambience/architecture) -
Built on top of a ridge with views north towards the Bass Strait you look over the vineyards that scamper down the steep ridge. The sparkling wines that they specialise in are of a very high quality particularly the late discourged vintage 2006. With some of the packaged deals definitely a more luxurious experience. The design and architecture of the building a modern gem. A must visit!!!
https://cloverhillwines.com.au/
Close second on best Small Winery Experience
b/ Sinapius (wines, cosy friendly, nice outlook) –
Sinapius has a great eclectic range of wines that are all worthy of a mention I particularly liked the Gruner and the Esme Gamay but they also do Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and some unusual white blends. Sit out on the deck of the cellar door to take in views of the vineyard and the stray rooster.
MOST INFORMATIVE
c/ Bay of Fires (wines/information/history)-
A big expansive cellar door when you are taken through all facets of the wine making process (be prepared). The wine quality is exceptional particularly the Arras sparklings, I found their Pinot Noir from Coal River Valley Fruit to be fleshy and a pleasure to drink. The fruit is sourced from all over Tasmania to make the many wine styles available.
https://www.bayoffireswines.com.au/
3/ Tamar Valley
The engine room of the Tasmanian wine industry where reliable high quality wines are made due to the influence of the Tamar River. The closer the vineyards to the water the milder the day and night temperatures and the more reliable and earlier the ripening. With some sub regions highly suited to grapevines (ie: Rosevears).
a/ Tamar Ridge (views,wines,food) -
I was working at the winery further north but the Cellar Door is on a ridge in the Rosevears sub region of Tamar just north of Launceston. This is a beautiful area with sloping vineyards leading down to the water. Probably one of the first places in Tasmania to ripen their fruit. The cellar door lies atop of the ridge with great views of the river. Wines available include Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sparklings and of course Pinot Noir. I really enjoyed the Pirie Vintage Sparkling Rose. Food is available a great spot to eat before exploring the other parts of the Tamar.
https://www.tamarridge.com.au/cellardoor/
Drop next door to Turners Stillhouse for their Distillers Release Three Cuts gin.
BEST NATURAL WINE
b/ Swinging Gate (food/natural wines/ homely feel) –
The whole family is out helping serve people as they serve up woodfired pizza and take you through their wines both natural (pet Nat, Orange) and regular wines. I was a fan of their fuller style Pinot Noir and the Red amarone made from Cabernet and Pinot that will appeal to people who want something richer.
https://swinginggatewines.com.au/
c/ Josef Chromy (gardens/restaurant/views/wines) –
Situated in the southern Tamar south of Launceston the whole experience is professionally done. You can wander the picturesque gardens around the dam(lake), taste through some wines or eat next door in the agfg rated restaurant. The wines were all of good quality but the Josef Chromy Chardonnay was truly exceptional. They also have a Zweigelt (red grape) originally from Austria that has a bit more flesh than the Pinot Noirs, definitely worth tasting.
4/ Coal River Valley
This tends to be one of the dryer parts of the Tasmanian Isle with varying exposures and soils. Closer to the estuary the vineyards can touch the water but as you go further north the vineyards start to climb to the slopes to no doubt avoid the frost risk and increase the sun exposure in the early morning facing generally easterly.
No.2 Choice in Tasmania
a/ POOLEYS -
Pooley’s has their Winery in the built up area of Cambridge on your way to the airport. But the cellar door is a world away in the Richmond area where one of their vineyards is situated. Here an old Georgian built homestead creates a grand entrance where out the back in the Coach House you are treated to a selection of wines and pizza or other appetizers on the menu.
This is definitely in the top two or three must visit cellar doors in Tasmania.
https://www.pooleywines.com.au/
No.3 Choice
b/ GLAETZER-DIXON -
Not Strictly in the Coal River Valley but in Hobart itself Glaetzer-Dixon gets a lot of their fruit from the Coal River and parts of the Upper Derwent & Tamar.
This is an immersive experience from a winemaker making his own path. More structural the wines are truly interesting coming from his bomb shelter like winery. His long ferment Pinot Noirs and Rieslings set him apart from many other wineries in the region. A must visit for wine interested types not really for tourist types. https://www.gdfwinemakers.com/
c/ On the southern end there are several little family operations that are worth a visit.
From the historical Craigow ( https://www.craigow.com.au/) to the steep views from Coal Valley Vineyard (https://www.coalvalley.com.au/) even further north are the more relaxed expansive views of Nocton ( https://www.noctonwine.com.au/) with their riper chardonnay style . But the more unique of these was at Riversdale. What I can only describe as a time warp into the seventies the views towards the estuary where some oyster farms can be seen is beautiful as well as the nicely kept gardens and their Chardonnay and the Shiraz wines. The cellar door furnishings reminded me of some hybrid of Italian meets French meets timber complete with a cardboard cut out of Elvis. Most unusual.
https://riversdaleestate.com.au/
4/The Derwent Valley
Only two Cellar Doors in the lower Derwent Stefano Lubiana & Derwent Estate. If you don’t include Moorilla Estate. With Meadowbank having only a vineyard in the upper Derwent. As much as I liked the wines in Stefanos I much preferred the low key approach of Derwent Estate in the old Rathbone Cottage playing nice tunes and relaxed views. To be fair Stefano was setting up for a wedding when I visited.
https://www.derwentestate.com.au/
The Upper Derwent is truly magnificent passing through hop country to the expansive vineyards a shame that Meadowbank doesn’t have a cellar door and Kinvarra was also very picturesque but not open for a tasting.
https://www.kinvarraestate.com/
https://www.meadowbank.com.au/
5/The Huon Valley
Travelling further south the wines and winding roads of the Huon Valley along with the apples and ciders at Willie Smiths (https://www.williesmiths.com.au/apple-shed/) some great wines in a challenging evironment and beautiful views around every corner to the fun little village of Cygnet. I was lucky enough to visit a few small boutique producers (will cover elsewhere) but only several cellar doors were open to the public at the time
A/ Kate Hill wines-
Kate Hill was a nice quaint little celler door on top of the hill surrounded by vineyards. They have had a few tough years with frost and fires but I still tried some nice wines. The cellar door host was Windsor Dobbin a local wine writer. A mate I worked with in California is now helping out in the winery. https://www.katehillwines.com.au/
2nd Best Views
B/ Mewstone Vineyards-
Mewstone has one of the most picturesque cellar door sitting on the ridge looking out at the water towards Bruny Island. The exposure must be challanging for ripening grapes but they also source fruit from other parts of Tasmania. Here they are trying many different styles and experiments with the wines. A beautiful spot.
https://www.mewstonewines.com.au/about-us
c/ Tinderbox Vineyards
Not Strictly in the Huon more in the d’Entrecasteaux Channel but a beautiful little spot nestle between two ridges right by the water just above the northern tip of Bruny Island. Open by appointment but truly off the radar of most travellers.
6/The North West
a/ Ghost Rock
A very professional setup with views out to the north. Wines from different techniques and good quality. Exposed to the cooler breezes it is very different to La Villa in style.
b/ La Villa Wines
A beautifully Regal Building on the flats near the a large estuary from the Mersey River. The wines are surprisingly ripe considering Tasmanias climate but due no doubt from the protection from the ocean breezes and close proximity to a large body of warmer water and the lighter soils of their vineyards. A delightful décor welcoming owner and well made wines topped off with the offer to take some fresh apples off the tree out front. When you arrive the bell tower sounds. Great Experience.
https://www.lavillawines.com.au/
c/ Lake Barrington Wines :
A great selection of wines I was able to try at the Tasmanian Wine Festival. Did not get to visit but looks delightful. The owner was very knowledgable. Had wonderful Chardonnay and a tasty Dornfelder a red variety more resistant to the wet weather that can stifle the NW region in some years.
https://www.lakebarringtonestate.com.au/
With so many microclimates , great seafood/cheese/whiskey/wine and burgeoning regions. Their really is something for everyone.