Here’s 7 Reasons To Take A Tasmanian Wine Trail Tour

Tucked below Mainland Australia is the island state of Tasmania (fondly referred to as “Tassie”), roughly the size of West Virginia. Tasmania is Australia’s coldest state because of its closer proximity to the Polar Zone.

For those worried about Australia’s heat, I can’t promise Tasmania is always freezer-chill. But even in summer, I’d pack a light jacket. Cooled by the westerly winds off the Southern Ocean, the moderate maritime climate is perfect for grape growing, and that’s just one of the reasons Tasmania a great place to take a wine tour.

1/ Tasmania’s Answer To Champagne

The Pipers River Region is Tasmania’s answer to Champagne. In the 1980s, winemakers from iconic champagne house Louis Roederer scoured the globe looking for the best place to make sparkling wine and chose Tasmania’s Tamar Valley.

Drum roll, please! Tasmania won best sparkling of the year in 2020 against French competitors, and Wine Enthusiast ranks Tasmania as one of the 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations, making this the place for people who love bubbly.

2/ More Than 30 Vineyards To Choose From

Hobart, Tasmania’s capital, is edged by wineries. Some are near the airport, where tourists can rent vehicles, including RVs, to lap Tassie. The Coal River Valley, with its 33 vineyards, is only 25 minutes outside Hobart. Another concentration of wineries is in the Tamar Valley near Launceston. The drive between Hobart and Launceston takes 3 hours.

Pro Tip: Hobart and Launceston both have major airports. Helicopters service several wineries. A car ferry, The Spirit of Tasmania, departs Geelong (near Melbourne, Victoria) and crosses Bass Strait to Tasmania.

3/ Gorgeous Scenery

Tasmania is reminiscent of England, with patchworks of green fields, deciduous trees, teahouses, and Georgian-style manors. Drive down country lanes. Winemakers’ dogs mosey out to greet you, and lines of green vines crisscross the view of blue hills. Tasmania’s slogan is “Come Down for Air,” and you’ll appreciate why during your wine tour.

4/ Nearby Tourist Attractions

Coal Valley Wineries are close to the much-photographed colonial village of Richmond. Moorilla Estate is next to MONA — a famous avant-garde museum. Combine a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic site with a stop at Bream Creek Vineyard. I particularly enjoyed viticulturist Fred Peacock’s award-winning 2018 Late Picked (Dessert) Schönburger.

Pro Tip: Bream Creek’s new cellar door is due for completion in mid-2023. Till then, tastings and sales are at The Dunalley Waterfront Cafe and Gallery, halfway between Hobart and Port Arthur.

5/ Not-To-Miss Food Pairings

A visit to Tasmania is a balancing act: a wine glass in one hand and nibbles in the other. Wrapped by rich oceans and blessed with ample rainfall and a moderate climate, Tasmania produces world-class food. Southern Rock Lobster, Pacific oyster abalone, and Atlantic salmon come from the waters.

The lush pastures raise some of Australia’s best beef. Tasmanian dairy products are legendary. Then there’s Leatherwood wild honey and black truffles (known as Périgord truffles in France).

Think Tassie Pinot Noir with slow pulled pork, sparkling with freshly shucked oysters, Chardonnay with Tassie’s juicy scallops, Cabernet Merlot with grass-fed spring lamb, and iced riesling with spiced pear pavlova. Josef Chromy Cellar Door and Frogmore Creek wineries are renowned for their restaurants.

Pro Tip: In Hobart, The Lounge by Frogmore Creek is an elegant bar and restaurant on Hobart’s waterfront.

6/ Sustainability Beyond Winemaking

Tasmania is green in more ways than one. The Australian Greens are a national political party that grew from environmental campaigns in Tasmania. Over 20 percent of the land is part of UNESCO’s Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, and 40 percent is a national park or reserve.

It’s easy to pick a Taswegian at an airport — the men often had flowing beards, and Tasmanians are known for being passionate about their wilderness hikes. Tasmanian winemakers tend toward permaculture, organics, amphora aging (the process of aging wines in clay), and carbon-neutral trends.

7/ Easy-To-Follow Wine Trails

Tasmania has four wine trails. The website Wine Tasmania supplies free online maps and tools. Create an itinerary focusing on sparkling or Pinot Noir. Pinpoint wineries offering restaurants or accommodation, and definitely make time for at least a few of the best wineries and vineyards introduced below.

-travelawaits

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