Best Wineries In Tasmania: 5 Hobart Wineries With Fabulous Cellar Doors

The Hubs and I recently spent four wonderful days in the Apple Isle. This was my third trip to Tasmania and we decided to make Hobart our base this time around. When I starting planning my itinerary, visiting some of the best wineries in Tasmania was at the very top of my list. There a bunch of wineries near Hobart and I focused on those that specialise in Tasmanian white wine, particularly Tasmanian sauvignon blanc. As I researched Tasmania’s best wineries, a few Hobart wineries were consistently mentioned. I added a few that were highly recommended by the experts and threw in a few wild cards of my own. Read on for all the details …

 

 

Searching For The Best Wineries In Tasmania

Tasmania is often heralded as Australia’s premier cool climate growing region and no trip down south would be complete without visiting a few cellar doors. On my last Tasmanian road trip I didn’t manage to visit any Hobart wineries, but I did manage two in Freycinet. I was sure to rectify that this time around. The Hubs is not a wine drinker, so he valiantly agreed to take the wheel as I sipped as many Tasmanian white wines as I could squeeze into a morning. I had limited time before The Hubs would grow bored so I chose wineries near Hobart to limit the driving time and maximise the drinking time. We booked our accommodation through Agoda and stayed right in the centre of town at the Best Western Hobart. I made sure my first and last Hobart wineries were within a 30 minute drive of our hotel.

 

 

Frogmore Creek: My Favourite Tasmanian Sauvignon Blanc

Frogmore Creek is located in the Coal Valley region which is just a 20 minute drive from the centre of Hobart through some of Tasmania’s prettiest countryside. It was right on opening when we arrived and we were the first ones there. Tasting’s are $5 per person, but that is refundable against a wine purchase or food in the restaurant. The cellar door offers wine tastings from two labels; Frogmore Creek and 42 Degrees South. I tasted the Tasmanian sparkling wine from each label and while I preferred the Frogmore Creek, they were both good. The Tasmanian sauvignon blanc from 42°S was delightful and I really enjoyed the 2018 iced riesling from Frogmore Creek. I am a sucker for a dessert wine and I purchased both the sauv and the riesling. It was early when we visited, but lunch in the restaurant with stunning views across the vines would be no hardship if you happen to stop in later.

Essential Information:

Address:            699 Richmond Rd Cambridge Tasmania 7170

Phone:              (03) 6274 5844

Email:               [email protected]

Website:           https://frogmorecreek.com.au

Cellar Door:      Open 10am – 5pm daily

 

 

Riversdale Estate Winery

Riversdale Estate was the logical choice for our second stop of the day as it is only a few minutes drive from Frogmore Creek. Riversdale Estate Winery is the largest privately owned vineyard in the Coal Valley and they produce wines in three ranges; the Estate range, the Stellar range and the Roaring 40’s range. Riversdale Estate wines are all single-vineyard and the varieties include Tasmanian sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay, sparkling, riesling, musca syrah, pinot grigio and pinot gris. But I didn’t get to taste any of them. Imagine my disappointment when we drove up the dirt path and arrived at the cellar door to find it was closed for a private function. While we couldn’t get inside, we did take the opportunity to explore the grounds before we continued on our way. The setting is superb and the Adirondack chairs on the lawn are perfect for gazing across the vines to the water. If your visit coincides with a grumbling tummy why not indulge in High Tea in the Orangery Conservatory at 10.30am or 2pm or enjoy a leisurely lunch at the French Bistro. If you have kids in tow, a visit to the Peter Rabbit Garden is a must. I’ll just have to wait until next time to try some of Riversdale’s award-winning Tasmanian white wine.

Essential Information:

Address:               222 Denholms Rd Cambridge Tasmania 7170

Phone:                  (03) 6248 5555

Email:                   [email protected]

Website:               https://riversdaleestate.com.au

Cellar Door:          Open daily 10am – 5pm

 

 

Pooley: Premium Tasmanian White Wine

The next stop on my list of Hobart Wineries was Pooley Premium Wines. Pooley’s was the furthest away and a two hour drive from Riversdale, but we broke the journey with a stop at the Wicked Cheese Factory. Make sure you do as well. Cheese and wine are a match made in heaven. Pooley’s Premium Tasmanian Wines is a third generation family run vineyard which was the first vineyard in Tasmania to be certified environmentally sustainable. Pooley’s run two vineyards in Tasmania, but because they bottle small batches few ever make is out of the apple isle. Pooley’s offer two tastings which cost $5 or $15. I chose the $5 option and both are redeemable against purchases. As I don’t drink red wine, Pooley’s was able to customise my tasting to only include their Tasmanian white wine. I surprised myself when I found myself leaning toward the pinot grigio and before I could over think it I purchased my third bottle of the day. If you are feeling a bit peckish after your tasting, head outside to the rustic courtyard and order one of Pooley’s specialty wood-fired pizzas.

Essential Information:

Address:             1431 Richmond Rd Richmond TAS 7025

Phone:                (03) 6260 2895

Email:                  [email protected]

Website:              http://www.pooleywines.com.au

Cellar Door:         Open daily 10am – 5pm. Closed some public holidays.

 

 

Stefano Lubiana Wines: Tasmanian Sparkling Wine Specialist

My last stop of the day was at Stefano Lubiana Wines which was just 25 minutes from Pooley’s. The car park at Stefano Lubiana Wines made an underwhelming first impression, but that changed when I stepped inside. The huge open fireplace in the Osteria (a simple Italian restaurant) is the first thing you notice and despite visiting in the height of summer, I could imagine how cozy it would be in winter. Outside, the terrace overlooks an expansive lawn scattered with bean bags with views over the water to Hobart. I could have lost hours here lazing with a good book and a fine wine, but time was not on my side so I reluctantly headed back inside for my tasting. Stefano (Steve) Lubiana is a fifth generation wine make who grows his grapes in the old-fashioned way using bio-dynamic methods. Tastings at Stefano Lubiana are $5, but unlike the other Hobart wineries I visited, this is not refunded when you purchase which I found odd. Most of Stefano Lubiana’s estate is dedicated to pinot noir and chardonnay, but his two Tasmanian sparkling wines are considered the cream of the crop. I enjoyed the 2017 Tasmanian sauvignon blanc enough to make a purchase.  Stefano Lubiana is one of the closest wineries near Hobart at just 20 minutes away. Despite the short trip we decided to make a quick stop at the Shambles Brewery in North Hobart for a quick lunch on the way back to our hotel. After all, it was only fair that The Hubs should also get a tasting of his own.

Essential Information:

Address:           60 Rowbottons Rd Granton TAS 7030

Phone:              (03) 62637457

Email:                [email protected]

Website:            https://www.slw.com.au

Cellar Door:       Open Wednesday to Sunday 11am – 4pm. Closed in July and most Public Holidays

 

 

Bruny Island Premium Wines

I thought my day of visiting Hobart wineries was the end of my wine tastings down south, but little did I know that Bruny Island also has a vineyard. We had a whole day planned exploring the stunning isle to the south of Hobart and it was just a bonus to squeeze another tasting in. Bruny Island Premium Wines is about 1½ hours drive from Hobart including the ferry. When we first arrived we made a beeline for the furthest point, the lighthouse, and happened to pass by Bruny Island Premium Wines. I screeched ‘stop the car’ so loud The Hubs jumped out of his skin and though we were in dire danger. He was less than amused when I told him to pull into the dirt driveway so I could take a look. On closer inspection I realised the cellar door was not yet open and we vowed to stop by on the way back. Our second stop to Asutralia’s southernmost vineyard was more successful and I signed up for the tasting on the spot. Once again I only sampled the Tasmanian white wine which included 2 varieties of Tasmanian sauvignon blanc, a fume blanc, a riesling and a chardonnay. Sadly the 2013 gewurztraminer was sold out. I’m not normally a riesling fan, but the 2016 Sweet Jane won me over enough to make my fifth purchase. Given it was after midday, we decided Bruny Island Premium Wines was as good a place as any for lunch and we grabbed a table overlooking the vines. Neither of us are oyster fans, but as Bruny Island is famed as having the best oysters in the country, The Hubs decided to give them a try. He ordered them kilpatrick style which are normally drizzled in Worcestershire sauce, but these were doused in BBQ sauce for a unique twist. He did eat them all, but I’m not convinced he was completely won over. I gave him half my burger which was much more to his liking.

Essential Information:

Address:            4391 Main Rd Lunawanna, Bruny Island TAS 7150

Phone:               0409973033

Email:                 [email protected]

Website:             http://www.brunyislandwine.com

Cellar Door:        Open daily 11am – 4pm

 

 

The Final Word On Wineries Near Hobart

There are few things that I enjoy more than tasting a bunch of different wines. When I duck into the local bottle-o to buy wine I generally choose a Kiwi sauvignon blanc, usually from the Marlborough region because they are so consistently drinkable at all price ranges. Every Tasmanian sauvignon blanc that I tried rose to the occasion admirably and rivaled the Kiwi bottles I usually favour. The wineries near Hobart I visited were outstanding. So much so that I may have gone a little overboard with my purchases. I travelled to Tasmanian carry on (7kgs in my High Sierra wheeled backpack) and my 5 bottles of Tasmanian white wine put me way over. Like 6kgs over! I did think about posting them home, but decided to risk it. I put on all virtually all my clothes, threw some of my toiletries out, stashed two bottles in The Hub’s bag and thankfully boarded my Jetstar domestic flight without incident. I make no secret of the fact that I am a sauv blanc fan and while I did purchase two Tasmanian sauvignon blancs, I surprised myself by purchasing a couple of other varieties of Tasmanian white wine. They do say a change is as good as a holiday.

 

 

Do you have a favourite Hobart winery? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

 

 

Until Next Time …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Disclosure Statement: This post is not sponsored. I paid for my tastings and bottles of wine in full. The information in this article is based on my own personal experiences and has not been influenced in any way by the brand(s) featured. This post may contain affiliate links which if clicked may earn me a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.