
Wine of Tasmania
Tasmania has a fast-growing reputation for producing some of the best cool-climate wines in the world. Historically, Tasmania was considered too cold to grow wine grapes. Despite this, the first records of a vineyard in Tasmania date to 1823, and Australia’s first sparkling wine was made in Tasmania in 1826. Wine-growing in Tasmania took a backstep until the 1950s when entrepreneurs from Europe recognised the similarities in Tasmania’s soil and climate to growing conditions in their homelands. They decided to challenge the status quo and began planting vineyards across the island. Cheers to that!
Follow four well-defined wine trails across the island and enjoy some of the finest pinot noir, best sparkling, crisp chardonnays and riesling as you explore Tasmania.
East Coast Wine Trail
Devil's Corner Cellar Door / Lusy Productions
A road trip on the East Coast Wine Trail passes long deserted beaches and picturesque seaside towns, and winds through countryside dotted with award-winning family-owned vineyards. Expect cellar doors in quirky homesteads and convict-built stables. Enjoy a view with your wine – visit Devil’s Corner Cellar Door & Lookout and Kelvedon Estate for tastings overlooking the Hazards Mountains and spectacular coastline.
Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail
Ghost Rock / Kelly Slater
With cellar doors scattered along the Tasting Trail, the Cradle Coast Wine Trail is the ultimate paddock-to-plate experience. Pick up fresh fruit and vegies, grab some cheese and crusty bread and call into a cellar door to choose your matching wine. Have a picnic at Leven Valley Vineyard overlooking the spectacular Gunns Plains, or settle in at Ghost Rock Vineyard with views over the vines to the ocean.
Tamar Valley Wine Trail
Josef Chromy / Lauren Bath
The Tamar Valley Wine Trail winds through Tasmania’s oldest wine-growing area with more than 30 vineyards to explore. Discover premium cool-climate wines and award-winning restaurants at intimate boutique wineries as well as larger vineyards. This is world-class sparkling wine territory – call in to Pipers Brook and Clover Hill, and take a wine tour at Josef Chromy. Or try a unique pétillant naturel (pet nat) at the rustic cellar door at Swinging Gate.
Southern Wine Trail
Pooley Wines / Nick Osborne
With vineyards closer to Hobart than any other capital in Australia, it’s easy to access an amazing variety of wines on the Southern Wine Trail. The Coal River Valley and the Derwent Valley host exceptional vineyards. Enjoy wood-fired pizza on the lawns at Pooley Wines or warm up with a tasting by the fire at Stefano Lubiana Wines. Relish a long lunch at Frogmore Estate or at Tasmania’s most awarded boutique winery – Home Hill in Ranelagh.
Tasman Wine and Spirit Trail
Bangor Vineyard Shed / Rob Burnett
What better way to wrap up a walk along the stunning coastline of the Tasman Peninsula than with a wine tasting or two? The Tasman Wine Spirit Trail includes a few small vineyards. Cape Bernier, a small family-owned vineyard, showcases boutique wines such as a pinot noir fermented in clay amphora, a technique dating back 6000 years. Just-shucked oysters and a crisp sparkling or pinot gris are the perfect combo at Bangor Vineyard Shed.
*Opening days and hours vary and some vineyards on the trails are only open via appointment. Phone ahead to confirm opening days and times to avoid disappointment.