Tasmania

The island state has fast made a name for itself as an Australian wine superstar, with many winemakers moving from the mainland to secure coveted vineyards or now sourcing its famously pristine fruit. From the Tamar Valley’s lush, winding landscapes to the postcard-perfect East Coast, quality abounds.

Tasmania’s sparkling wines are globally renowned, and its pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling are highly regarded by restaurants and retailers. The only catch is that these wines are in limited supply, and not all of them make it across the Tasman. This last point is an important one. The demand for Tasmania’s wines means a higher than average price, making it one of our most premium regions.

Add to that art, food and nature that people make the pilgrimage to experience, and Tasmania provides an inspiring backdrop to some of Australia’s most exciting wines.

NORTHERN TASMANIA

Northern Tasmania produces the most wine on the Apple Isle, accounting for more than half the state’s output. And according to James, it has “terroir and climate as diverse as southern Victoria, ripening every variety from chardonnay and pinot noir to shiraz and cabernet sauvignon”.

TAMAR VALLEY

This subregion is responsible for the largest part of Tasmania’s wine production, and it has a more temperate climate than other areas of the state. While it still produces Tassie classics such as sparkling and pinot noir, its combination of warmer weather and clay-limestone soils means intensely coloured and flavoured reds are also possible.

PIPERS RIVER

Not far from the Tamar Valley is the Pipers River subregion, an area described by James as “undulating, forested and green for much of the year”. It makes about half as much wine as the Tamar Valley, and its soils are different, too – red volcanic rather than gravelly material. Add to that a cool, Champagne-like climate, and this is a particularly good place for fine fizz.

NORTH-WEST TASMANIA

The smallest and newest winemaking area of the north, this pretty spot near the coast is home to a handful of producers making stellar cool climate styles. Pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay and riesling are just some of the varieties made here.

SOUTHERN TASMANIA

With the base of Tasmania pointing towards Antarctica, the south is home to the coldest winemaking territory in Australia, and its combined areas make up only around a fifth of the total wine production in the state. It’s a good place to investigate for ultra-limited releases.

DERWENT VALLEY

Home to one of Tasmania’s first vineyards, Moorilla Estate, which is on-site of one of its most famous attractions, MONA, the Derwent Valley offers a diverse range of experiences just north of Hobart. The soils are sandstone and schist, and you can expect elegant, mineral-flecked pinot noir, sparkling and riesling from its top producers.

COAL RIVER VALLEY

Right near the Hobart Airport, the Coal River Valley is an interesting one in that it’s much drier than other parts of the state. Add to that sandy soils, and it’s a great environment for aromatic varieties, particularly later ripening types. As well as the classics, cabernet sauvignon does well here.

HUON VALLEY AND THE CHANNEL

For stunning countryside and inviting farm gates, visit the Huon Valley and areas surrounding the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. This subregion is the southernmost in the south, and super-low yields of character-filled wines reflect the location.

EAST COAST TASMANIA

In terms of its wine production, the East Coast of Tasmania is similar in size to Northern Tasmania’s Pipers River. It has enticing white-sand beaches and picturesque coastal parklands alongside its cellar doors, and lovers of the outdoors will make a beeline for the Freycinet National Park and its much-photographed Wineglass Bay. The combination of the Tasman Sea and lush green country means some incredible produce, too, and you can wade in oyster farms, visit orchards, and enjoy some excellent dining.

Around three-quarters of Tasmania’s wine production is pinot noir and chardonnay, plus sparkling wine made from those varieties. Other cool climate styles that shine here are sauvignon blanc and riesling. That said, areas such as the Tamar and Coal River Valleys are increasingly being recognised for richer reds, producing cabernet sauvignon, merlot and even shiraz.

The main entry points to Tasmania are Hobart and Launceston, and each is a launch pad to different attractions and wine districts. For southern Tasmania’s Derwent, Huon and Coal River Valleys, head to Hobart and prepare to spend time wining, dining, wandering the waterfront, browsing the markets and cosying up in Battery Point’s pubs. For northern Tasmania’s scenic Tamar Valley and Pipers Brook regions, book your ticket to Launceston, an escape with plenty of peaceful landscapes. Launceston will also be your best jumping off point to East Coast adventures, where you can work up an appetite for fresh oysters and long lunches on kayaking excursions and hinterland hikes. It is, of course, easy enough to cover off the state by car starting at either end, depending on how much time you have. 

Art lovers: don’t miss MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art) in the south.
Adventurers: the Overland Track is a favourite Tasmanian hiking trail up north.
Foodies: visit these venues in Hobart and surrounds (including several in Launceston).

All quotes and facts in this guide are from James Halliday’s Wine Atlas of Australia.