The Icelandic connection to small-batch Tasmanian wines

Artisan Tasmanian winemakers Paul and Gilli Lipscombe no doubt expected some quizzical looks when they named their Sailor Seeks Horse "reserve" wines Huldufólk.

Huldufólk is Icelandic for "hidden people" and these creatures are supernatural elves in Icelandic and Faroese folklore, who look and live like humans but exist in a parallel, unseen dimension.

Residing inside rocks, hills, and cliffs, they are deeply respected, with many locals historically avoiding moving rocks or building on specific lands to protect their homes.

Huldufólk are traditionally believed to be indistinguishable from humans.

 

The name comes from Paul's family connections with Iceland.

His father Hugh owns fish and chip businesses in the UK, and in 1981 he jumped on a plane to Iceland on a mission to source the best quality cod and haddock.

It was then, 45 years ago, that the Lipscombe family developed a relationship with fishermen in Isafjordur that still stands.

Today, the Lipscombe family still sources fish from the trawler Julius Germundsson.

Back in the Huon Valley, in the far south of Tasmania, Sailor Seeks Horse's current Huldufólk releases are the 2024 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The chardonnay is a stunner: fiercely linear, pure and precise. It is simultaneously chalky, citrusy, crunchy and cohesive with lemon meringue pie notes. Sadly only 800 bottles were made. 

The cellar worthy pinot noir is similarly scarce, made from a single barrel of 115 clone pinot with an impressive melange of fruit and savoury notes. Each costs $120 and you may already be too late. 

See https://www.sailorseekshorse.com.au/ 

Women travellers opting for Arctic adventures

There is growing interest in women only holiday options and tours. 

And adventure is high on the agendas of many women keen on travelling in in small groups to exciting destinations. 

A new version of Iceland’s most iconic trekking route is launching for summer 2026 with Arctic Adventures announcing a four-day women-only guided trek along the Laugavegur Trail, one of the country’s best-known long-distance hikes through the central Highlands.

Stretching 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, the Laugavegur Trail crosses some of Iceland’s most dramatic terrain: from geothermal valleys and rhyolite mountains to black sand plains and birch forests. 

While the route has long attracted international hikers, the new departures are designed specifically for women seeking a smaller, more supportive group experience.

Running through July and August, the treks are led by an experienced female guide and limited to a small group size. Arctic Adventures says the focus is less on speed or performance and more on shared experience, connection, and spending time in Iceland’s remote interior.

“There’s a comfort that comes from exploring in a group of women," says Rebecca McCall, product manager at Arctic Adventures. 

"This trek is about enjoying the landscape, supporting one another in small ways, and letting those connections grow naturally along the trail.”

The launch reflects broader travel trends seen across Iceland in recent years, including a shift toward longer stays, guided trekking, and experiences that move beyond the country’s most visited routes. 

For many travellers, the Highlands - accessible only in summer and largely untouched by infrastructure - offer a slower, more immersive way to experience the island’s interior.

The trek designed for hikers with a basic level of fitness who are comfortable walking for four to nine  hours a day across varied terrain and changing weather conditions. 

So I'm out, due to both gender and fitness. 

Participants carry only their day packs, with logistics handled in advance, allowing the focus to remain on the trail and the shared experience. The tour is open to travellers aged 15 and up and includes transportation to and from the trail, with amenities such as onboard wifi available during transfers.

See https://adventures.is/ 

Another budget airline shuts down operations

Yet another budget airline has gone out of business, leaving unwitting passengers stranded.

Icelandic low-cost airline Play has abruptly shut down, travel news hub Travel Mole reports.

That has led to thousands of stranded passengers as its entire flight network was cancelled.

The airline issued a message to customers saying: “Fly PLAY has ceased operations, and all flights have been cancelled. We kindly advise you to check flights with other airlines. Some carriers may offer special ‘rescue fares’ considering the circumstances.”

Customers were advised to contact their credit card issuers and travel agents to file for refunds.

The airline has offered Europe-wide flights and transatlantic services.

Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik said the sudden news impacted about 1,750 passengers at the airport.

Play flights to Baltimore, Barcelona and Lisbon were cancelled, as well as inbound services from Paris, London and Copenhagen.

More than 500 employees are likely to be made redundant.

Play, launched in 2021, had a 10-plane fleet and carried about 1.6 million passengers in 2024.

Huldufólk thriving in the deep south of Tasmania

Huldufólk, meaning "hidden people" or "hidden folk," are supernatural beings in Icelandic and Faroese folklore.

They are believed to be relatives of elves or fairies, similar to humans in appearance and behaviour, but living in a parallel world within nature.

They are often associated with the natural world, particularly rocks and hills, and are seen as both protectors and potential tricksters. They are said to live in nature, engaging in activities like farming, fishing, and raising families.

Down in the Huon Valley in the deep south of Tasmania, winemakers Paul and Gilli Lipscombe from Sailor Seeks Horse pay tribute to Huldufólk with their small-batch chardonnay and pinot noir named after the creatures.

And there is a real link: Paul's father, who runs seafood shops in the UK, has had many business dealings with Iceland, where he sources cod and haddock, and Paul frequently visited Iceland as as a child.

Last night we re-tasted the 2023 Huldufólk Pinot Noir ($120), estate grown, and made, and it was looking superb.

Their notes say "textural, plush, so much calmness, effortless", and that is spot on. 

There is a lot going on on the palate, but the wine's complexity is matched by its composure and serenity."

A glass or two might well take your stress away.

The couple worked in the Languedoc and Margaret River - and made wine for Home Hill - deciding the cool Huon might be the best place in Australia to make top-notch chardonnay and pinot.

They took over an overgrown old vineyard at Cradoc, remediated it by hand, planted some more vines and paid attention to clonal selection. .

"Neither too dry nor too wet, too warm nor too cold and with two of the most awarded vineyards in Tasmania (Elsewhere and Home Hill), the industry had barely scratched the surface of the myriad of microclimates within the valley," they say on their website.

" Within a few weeks of arriving, we stumbled upon a dilapidated 6.5ha vineyard, planted in 2005 and then walked away from. Opportunity beckoned. North-east-facing slope, sheltered from the prevailing cold south-westerly and planted to six different clones of Pinot; perfect.

"Half the vines were dead, blackberry above our heads and about one hundred trees littered the vineyard; not-so-perfect.

"But it wouldn’t be satisfying if it wasn’t challenging. That was one of the reasons we decided to change our lives. If you love what you do and have a plan, then it doesn’t matter what the challenges are, they are surmountable and all-the-more rewarding."

The Sailor Seeks Horse wines frequently sell out within months of release - and are much sought after by key restaurants and wine bars on the mainland.

Better move quickly before the Huldufólk drink the lot.

See https://www.sailorseekshorse.com.au/

Remote walking holidays make huge strides

Remote walking tours are booming as more travellers seek off-the-beaten-path experiences, one leading travel company is reporting. 

More Australians embracing active travel in Europe than ever before, UTracks has said, saying demand for immersive experiences in remote destinations is among their fastest-growing segments.

These journeys take travellers deep into some of Europe’s most remote landscapes, from Romania's dramatic peaks in Romania to Iceland's Nordic wilderness.

Albania is a trending destination, gaining attention for its rugged terrains and rich cultural history. 

The remote village of Theth, nestled in a stunning valley, provides access to some of the country’s most spectacular trails, including the renowned Peaks of the Balkans Trail. 

This multi-country guided hike weaves through Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo at elevations of up to 2,300 metres. 

“Travellers are increasingly drawn to destinations that offer a sense of discovery,” says Kate Baker, general manager of UTracks (www.utracks.com.au). 

“Places like Albania deliver that in spades, offering pristine nature, deep history, and warm local hospitality.

"With more people seeking out destinations that feel personal and unspoiled, our walks offer the perfect balance of exploration and cultural immersion.” 

UTracks offers a range of hiking experiences in wild and remote destinations, including: 

# Iceland: Footsteps of Thor https://www.utracks.com/Iceland/Guided-Walking/Iceland-Footsteps-of-Thor

# Poland Pieniny and Tatra Mountains Hike https://www.utracks.com/Poland/Alpine-Hiking/Poland-Pieniny-and-Tatra-Mountains-Hike

and 

# Transylvania Castles amd Mountains https://www.utracks.com/Romania/Self-Guided-Walking/Transylvania-Castles-Mountains 

Image: Walking in Albania 

So you want to Play? Hard.

Anyone travelling in Europe and wanting to get to the US on a budget might like to make note of Icelandic low-cost airline Play, which could be on the way to becoming a major player.

Play will launch flight between Glasgow and Keflavik in Iceland in May, adding to a fast-growing list of destinations.

The route between Glasgow International and Keflavik marks the airline’s first Scottish route and ticket sales are now open at www.flyplay.com.

Glasgow flights launch on May 26, 2023, and offer US connections.

Play will soon offer four US destinations: Newburgh in New York State, Boston, Baltimore/Washington and Washington Dulles. It will also fly to Hamilton, Canada, from June.

Flights between Glasgow and Keflavik start from £69 ($AU125) one-way, with US flights starting at £169.

Play will operate four flights per week over the northern summer months, Travel Mole reports.

CEO Birgir Jónsson said: “In January 2023, Brits made up the largest percentage of tourists to Iceland.”

Play's routes to and from Paris and London had an impressive load factor of over 90% in February. 

The airline was founded in 2019 and has been flying for around 20 months. It serves several European destinations from Keflavik.