Tasmania – or lutruwita in the state’s official Aboriginal language palawa kani – is not only one of Australia’s most respected wine regions, but it is fast earning international acclaim for its Champagne-quality sparkling wines, pinot noir and chardonnay.
With the majority of vineyards concentrated on the island’s northeast, east and south coasts, this cool-climate region is also prime road trip territory. Whether you’re based in Hobart or Launceston, you've got to make room in your itinerary for a visit to these excellent cellar doors – home to fine wine, great food and spectacular views.
Clover Hill, Pipers River
Nestled on the outskirts of Lebrina, northeastern Tasmania, Clover Hill’s unique 66-hectare property overlooking Bass Strait has a reputation for crafting wines of exceptional pedigree. Ancient volcanic soils, a sheltered north-facing amphitheatre, cool maritime climate and mild autumn temperatures have – for the last 40 years – provided Clover Hill with the perfect environmental conditions for the production of premium méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines.
With a multi-vintage philosophy, the winemaking team bring bold creativity and meticulous craftsmanship in the creation of sparkling wines of consistency and complexity, with a unique vibrancy and freshness. These wines can be tasted at Clover Hill's award-winning cellar door, where you can immerse yourself in guided tastings from the expert team. For those wishing to delve deeper and ‘Journey Beyond the Bench’ to understand the craft of making exceptional sparkling from grape to glass, Clover Hill offer a range of bespoke experiences from vineyard tours to hands on viticultural and winemaking masterclasses.
For those after premium food as well as wine, chef Tanya White offers a multi-course dining experience designed to match sparkling wines. In the tradition of the Japanese dining style omakase (meaning 'I trust you chef'), the experience asks you to relinquish control of the ordering process, letting the talented chef choose your menu. This memorable experience is available on Saturday and Sunday only, from 12–2pm.
Find out more: cloverhillwines.com.au | Open Wednesday to Sunday 11am–4:30pm | 60 Clover Hill Road, Lebrina TAS 7254 | (03) 6395 6114
Holm Oak, Tamar Valley
Holm Oak's cellar door, which is located at the top of the Tamar Valley in picturesque Rowella, is just a 40-minute drive from Launceston. Run by dynamic duo Bec and Tim Duffy, this family-owned winery crafts a wide range of wines with a particular focus on pinot noir. Bec and Tim's complementary skills as winemaker and viticulturist respectively drive their vision to produce distinctive, world-class wines, and all wines are handcrafted on site.
Holm Oak offers a range of unique experiences at its cellar door, too. You can meander through the wine-inspired sensory garden, or book a garden tour and tasting tour during the spring and summer – letting an expert take you through a tutored tasting in the sensory garden to understand the different aroma and flavour compounds in your wine. For those into local history (and tennis), Holm Oak has an interactive tasting exploring the Estate's connection with world-class tennis racquets. Moreover, for the pinot noir aficionados, there is a comprehensive pinot noir wine flight of the five estate-grown pinot noirs, allowing you to see what makes each one so distinctive.
In addition to this, you can settle in by the fire, or get local produce from the cellar door providore to enjoy with your tasting or picnic on the lawn. Don’t forget to feed the resident pet pigs – they love it when you throw them an apple – and pat the friendly wine dogs.
Find out more: holmoakvineyards.com.au | Open Monday to Thursday 10am–4pm | 11 W Bay Road, Rowella TAS 7270 | (03) 6394 7577
Pressing Matters, Coal River Valley
Tucked away in the pristine beauty of the Coal River Valley, just 30 minutes from Hobart, Pressing Matters offers a cellar door experience that wine lovers dream of. This boutique, family-owned winery is a must-visit for anyone serious about exceptional cool-climate wines – especially riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir – crafted with a meticulous focus on balance and purity.
Step inside the contemporary cellar door, where sweeping views of the vineyard set the tone for an unforgettable tasting. The team will guide you through a curated flight of wines that highlight the elegance and structure that Pressing Matters is known for, including five distinct rieslings – each defined by its residual sugar level. There's also a range of pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling wines available for those spending a long leisurely day at the Tasmanian vineyard.
Seasonal grazing boards, thoughtfully designed to pair beautifully with the wines on offer are also on he cards for visitors. Local cheeses, charcuterie and fresh Tasmanian produce complete a relaxed, wine-drenched afternoon among the vines. With limited production and a strong focus on quality over quantity, Pressing Matters is a genuine invitation to slow down, sip and savour some of the finest wines the island has to offer.
Find out more: pressingmatters.com.au | Open seven days 10am–5pm | 711 Middle Tea Tree Road, Tea Tree TAS 7017 | 0474 380 109
Become a member to access all Halliday's wine and spirit reviews
Sign up to become a Halliday member and unlock a wealth of benefits, including:
- Brand new wine and spirit tasting notes delivered to your inbox weekly
- Digital access to our library of over 185,000 tasting notes from over 4000 wineries and distilleries
- Four issues of Halliday magazine delivered to your door per year
- Member-only articles and stories written by Australia's best wine writers
- Early access to Halliday events across Australia
- Discounted Halliday Wine Club subscriptions
- Free shipping on Halliday wine packs
- Member-exclusive offers from our winery, distillery and retail partners
And much, much more. Become a Halliday member today.
