Your chance to be a pinot noir master

Think you know the attributes of a cool-climate pinot noir?

You can prove your prowess as Tamar Ridge Wines launches new cellar door experience where wine lovers can step behind the scenes and try their hand at one of winemaking’s most creative processes. 

The Tamar Ridge Winemaker for a Day: Pinot Noir Blending Experience is a hands-on experience that invites guests to step into the role of winemaker, tasting individual pinot noir clones and parcels from Tamar Ridge vineyards before creating a blend of their own.

Guided by the Tamar Ridge cellar door team, guests will explore the distinctive characteristics of each parcel and discover how factors such as clonal variety, vineyard site and individual wine components can influence the aroma, flavour, structure and balance of a finished wine. 

Guests can take inspiration from the Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir, experimenting with different components to understand how the final wine comes together, or trust their own palate and create an entirely unique expression.

Katherine Brown, luxury portfolio manager for Brown Family Wine Group, said the experience offers wine lovers a rare opportunity to better understand the craft behind the bottle.

“It’s a great chance for a hands-on experience where guests really get to understand the influence each parcel can have on a finished wine,” she said.

“Pinot noir is particularly fascinating to explore in this way because each component brings something different to the blend. Guests can taste those differences for themselves and then see what happens when they begin bringing the parcels together.”

The experience costs $110 per person. 

For more info see Winemaker for a day: Pinot Noir Blending Experience - Tamar Ridge Reservations

Image: Natasha Mulhall 

Tamar Ridge/Pirie up the ante with new wine experiences

There is a new experience to welcome visitors to the Tamar Ridge/Pirie cellar door in Tasmania. 

The "elevated new visitor experience" celebrates a blend of cool-climate wines, thoughtful design and Tasmanian hospitality in the Tamar Valley.

Following a significant refurbishment, the revamped cellar door will offer a series of tailored tasting experiences overlooking one of the region's spectacular landscapes.

Completed in just eight weeks by local builder Zanetto, the transformation introduces a refined contemporary interior where bespoke Spiegelau crystal glassware, a striking double-sided fireplace and sweeping views across the Tamar River are combined. 

Guests can gather around a hand-crafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table, relax by the fireplace or enjoy one of the intimate lounge spaces overlooking the vineyard. 

Luxury Portfolio manager Katherine Brown said the new cellar door reflected the evolution of both brands, while remaining true to their Tasmanian roots.

"It's incredibly exciting to welcome guests to a true brand home for Tamar Ridge and Pirie that reflects the quality, prestige and character of our wines," said Brown.

"Set high above the Tamar River, the cellar door enjoys one of the region's most spectacular outlooks, creating an extraordinary setting in which to experience our fine wines. 

"Whether you're relaxing beside the fireplace with a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir or enjoying a flute of Pirie Vintage sparkling overlooking the valley, we want every visit to feel memorable, considered and unmistakably Tasmanian."

Guests can choose from tasting experiences that range from introductory wine flights through to "refined hosted experiences".

Highlights include the Pirie Supreme Indulgence Experience, pairing prestige Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines with premium Oscietra sturgeon caviar, alongside the Ultimate Expressions of Pinot Noir , showcasing five of Tamar Ridge's premium pinot noirs, including limited Single Block releases.

Seasonal Tasmanian cheese platters and locally sourced small plates round out the offering. 

All tasting experiences can be booked online via tamarridge.com.au and pirietasmania.com.au.

The updated experiences are at 1A Waldhorn Drive, Rosevears - 20 minutes north of Launceston - daily from 10am–5pm. 

Tasmanian stargazing, wine and the Winter Solstice

Two of Tasmania’s leading drinks producers: Tamar Ridge and Turner Stillhouse are joining forces to host a one-off Winter Solstice stargazing event: NOIR NOIR.

This one-night-only event will take place at the Tamar Ridge cellar door on Saturday, June 21, from 6:30pm.  

The collaborators are inviting wine lovers, whisky drinkers and budding astronomers to sip, savour and stargaze under Tasmania’s bright winter sky - and be among the first to taste some new releases, including Tamar Ridge's 2023 Reserve Pinot Noir and Turner Stillhouse's inaugural whiskies, which includes Tasmania’s first ever Bourbon-style whisky: Rosevears Three Grain Whiskey and Rosevears Single Malt Whisky, matured in old Tamar Ridge pinot noir oak barrels. 

Guests at Tamar Ridge cellar door will be guided through a stargazing session by local astronomy expert Chris Arkless.

Arkless says the event will provide insights into Tasmania’s unique location in the Southern Hemisphere and the stellar beauty of Tasmania's night sky on the longest night of the year.

“Stargazing is a powerful way to connect with the natural world and ignite a sense of wonder. As we gather to celebrate the Winter Solstice with exquisite, locally made pinot noir and whisky, we will embark on a celestial journey, discovering the stars that have guided humanity for millennia.”

NOIR NOIR is being promoted as a “rare opportunity to connect the earthly pleasures of our Tasmanian landscape with the vastness of the universe”. 

Huddled around outdoor fire pits, guests will get a tasting of all new releases and can add the option of a cheese and charcuterie platter.

"NOIR NOIRis a chance to celebrate not only these two exciting new releases, but also theincredible natural beauty of Tasmania," said Tamar Ridge winemaker Tom Wallace.

"We're thrilled to partner with Turner Stillhouse to create a truly memorable night that showcases thebest of our cool-climate pinot noir and their exceptional new whisky, and to share the magic of a Tasmanian winter with our guests. 

Tickets for NOIR NOIR are $45 per person including a tasting of new releases, meeting Tamar Ridge winemakers, live music and stargazing session. Guests can add a cheese and charcuterie platter for $35 (for two people).

Tickets at tamarridge.rezdy.com/709946/noir-noir-winter-solstice.

A barrel of fun: discover a new Tasmanian beverage experience

 

Tasmania is renowned for its cool-climate wines and artisan spirits. 

What could be more Tasmanian, then, than two local producers joining forces for an indulgent tasting experience?  

Tasmanian winery Tamar Ridge and neighbouring distillery Turner Stillhouse have partnered to create an exclusive Wine and Spirit Tour. 

The new immersive experience invites guests to delve into the worlds of both premium Tasmanian wine and spirits, with a special focus on the art of barrel-aging.

The three-hour experience begins with a guided tour of the Turner Stillhouse distillery, where participants learn about the production of Three Cuts Gins and whiskies, including the unique process of resting the gin in former Tamar Ridge wine barrels.

The tasting showcases the influence of Tamar Ridge's pinot noir and chardonnay barrels on the final gin product. 

The pinot barrel-rested gin is aged in ex-Tasmanian French oak pinot noir barrels to provide an intense colour and rich pinot influence. The chardonnay barrel-rested gin, meanwhile, provides subtle colour, but its palate is citrus heavy with a long, smoky finish.

Guests then transition next door to the Tamar Ridge cellar door where they embark on a seated wine tasting, savouring four signature wines (a mix of pinot noir and sparkling) while enjoying panoramic views of the Tamar River. 

The experience is rounded out with a gourmet platter featuring local Tasmanian produce to complement the drinks.

"This collaboration with Turner Stillhouse allows us to offer a truly unique and comprehensive Tasmanian experience," says Tamar Ridge senior winemaker Tom Wallace.

"Guests will discover the craftsmanship behind our wines and the fascinating way those flavours translate into Turner Stillhouse's exceptional barrel-rested gins."

The Wine and Spirit Tour is available seven days a week, from 11am to 2pm, priced at $60 per person. Bookings are essential and can be made at tamarridge.rezdy.com/596770/wine-spirit-cheese-tour.

Tamar Ridge releases new super-premium pinot

Leading Tasmanian wine producer Tamar Ridge has launched a new super-premium flagship pinot noir in time for the festive season. 

The 2022 Grand Assemblage is described as the best red wine Tamar Ridge has made and is a blend of seven parcels selected from over 100 barrels by winemaker Tom Wallace. 

"With Grand Assemblage, we wanted to create a pinot noir that truly showcases the pinnacle of what we can achieve at Tamar Ridge," Wallace says. 

"It's a wine that reflects our deep understanding of this variety, our commitment to meticulous vineyard management and winemaking techniques, and the unique character of our Tasmanian environment.” 

Wallace talks of "alluring aromas of wild strawberries, bright red fruits and subtle spice". 

"This wine is an absolute joy to experience," he says. "The aromatics are captivating, and the palate is a beautiful dance of fruit, spice and earthy complexity. It's a wine that will reward those who take the time to savour it, revealing new layers of flavour and nuance with every sip.” 

The 2022 Grand Assemblage Pinot Noir is available now for $180 per bottle exclusively from the Tamar Ridge cellar door or online at tamarridge.com.au.

It is one of the most expensive still wines made in Tasmania, a list that is headed by Glaetzer-Dixon's limited-release La Judith wines at $220 a bottle.