The 5 Best Wineries in the Tamar Valley

The Tamar Valley stretches for fifty kilometres and is home to over thirty vineyards. It is Tasmania’s largest wine region and a spectacular place to explore.

You have two options to explore; you can drive it yourself or book a guided tour. Because alcohol is involved, it may be better to do a tour unless you can find yourself a designated driver.

Most vineyards have a cellar door, where you can sample their wine and enjoy a meal or some nibbles.

Updated: July 2, 2023

Taylor
Content creator for hospitality & tourism. I was born and raised in Tasmania.

Josef Chromy Wines

Relbia Road, Relbia

In 1950 at the age of 19, Josef Chromy fled his war-torn Czech village.

He escaped past minefields, dogs and soldiers until he could migrate to Australia. Over the next 40 years, he used his skills as a butcher to build his own business.

When he was 76, he opened Josef Chromy Wines.

The vineyard is in Relbia, just a 15-minute drive from Launceston, and stretches over 61 hectares.

Josef Chromy Wines produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. The cellar door is inside the original 1880s homestead.

Iron Pot Vinyard

West Bay Road, Rowella

This family-run vineyard grows eight different varieties spread over 5.25 hectares.

The winery takes its name from the nearby bay; in old sailing charts, it was referred to as Iron Pot Bay.

Their cellar door, or ‘the cottage’ as they call it, was built in 1907 by Alexander North, a master architect. North was responsible for designing many churches throughout Tasmania and owned an orchard in Rowella; he was passionate about botany and would grow English Ash to produce tennis racquets.

Tamar Ridge

Waldhorn Drive, Rosevears

Tamar Ridge proudly claim to be Pinot Noir makers first and winemakers second.

Their philosophy is that wine-making consists of 50% science and 50% art; something they have obsessed over for the past 25 years.

Tamar Ridge is a short 20-minute drive from Launceston (not far from Grindelwald), making it a popular local attraction, particularly on weekends.

The cellar door is perched on an outcrop overlooking the River Tamar.

Marion’s Vineyard

Deviot Road, Deviot

Sometime in the 1970’s Marion and Mark Semmens left San Francisco for a Tasmanian holiday: they quickly fell in love with the state.

Amateur winemakers at the time, they purchased land on the banks of the Tamar Valley and opened Marion’s Vineyard.

Marion’s Vineyard has a spectacular view of the Tamar, which you can enjoy from their cellar door.

Small Wonders

Auburn Road, Kayena

This vineyard was first planted in 1998 under the brand of Goaty Hill Wines.

In 2020 the vineyard was sold, and now operates under Small Wonder and specialises in pinot noir, chardonnay and aromatic whites.

Taylor

Taylor was born and raised in Tasmania. He moved to Melbourne to study Film & television, and went on to start a marketing agency for hospitality.

He has a love for rock ‘n’ roll bars & New York-style pizza. In 2020 he was amongst the top 1% of Frank Sinatra listeners on Spotify.

FAQs

How should I explore the Tamar Valley?

You can visit the Tamar Valley on a self-drive, or you can take a tour. If you would like to sample several wineries, it’s probably best to join a guided tour.

Is the Tamar Valley worth visiting?

Yes, if you’re a wine-lover. There are over thirty-two different wineries, and most of them have a cellar door to visit.

When is the best time to visit the Tamar Valley?

The Tamar Valley can be visited year-round, but the region’s cool-climate vineyards make it particularly popular during the harvest season, which usually takes place from February to April. This is when you can experience the vibrant colors of the vineyards and participate in wine-related events.

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