Don’t let the darling small town vibes fool you – North Tassie is home to some of the world’s best sparkling wines and local produce that’ll blow your mind.
Tasmania's rise to the top of Australia's food and wine scene should come as no surprise. There's an abundance of sustainable local resources available, whether it's fresh produce, pristine water sources or high-quality grapes grown with tender, loving care. But it's that last point that gives that tingly feeling, especially when you consider just how talented the winemakers are here in Tasmania. In the north of this island state, you'll find them clustered north of Launceston, on the banks of the River Tamar, or a little further east in Pipers River. Here, in this cool pocket, sparkling wines reign supreme, alongside pinot noir and chardonnay. And while still a relatively young region, it’s home to a bevy of small-scale, family-run operations that are crafting some of the finest examples in the country, if not the world.
Alongside the superb cellar doors, there are plenty of other adventures to be had. For the foodies, there’s no shortage of incredible dining options that feature flavoursome local produce. And for the outdoor explorers, a plethora of exciting activities awaits, with truffle hunts, mountain-biking, world-class golfing and more. Just remember to clear some phone space – these fun-filled activities take place in some of the island’s most beautiful (and Insta-worthy) places.
Elevation – 190–210m
Total vine area – 976ha
Average annual yield (grapes crushed) – 5,600 tonnes
Soil – Deep, free-draining gravel over clay and limestone
Climate – Cool maritime climate
Mean temp (Jan) – 17.2°c
Average growing season rainfall – 477mm
White grapes – 48%
Red grapes – 52%
1. Pinot noir – 43%
2. Chardonnay – 28%
3. Sauvignon blanc – 11%
4. Pinot gris / pinot grigio – 8%
5. Riesling – 6%
- On average, more than 40% of Tasmania’s grapes are made into sparkling. This is because the varieties, climate and growing conditions are similar to those of Champagne – and so are the results.
- Despite its cool-climate classification, Tasmania’s environment – and each of its distinct areas – is quite diverse, with variations in climate, soil and wine styles. And the conditions are often not quite what you'd expect. The Tamar Valley, for example, is actually drier and warmer than southern Victoria.
- In recent decades, Tasmania has established itself as one of Australia’s premium producers of cool-climate pinot noir. In fact, the winemakers of Tassie have gone and spoiled us by producing more than 100 different brands of pinot. Now if that doesn’t get your mouth watering, we don’t know will.
A playful wine with serious depth. Delicate aromas of white blossom and citrus on the nose give way to white peach and buttered toast set against a creamy, energetic mousse.
