Discover a weekend showcase of some of the best of Tasmania

Calling all lovers of cool-climate wines from Tasmania.

Get set for Spring In The Vines, a three-day weekend event showcasing some of Tasmania's best wines from regions including the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley/Channel.

There is new new growth in the vineyards right now and to coincide with bud burst and blossoms over 40 wineries across traditional regions in southern Tasmania will be participating from October 31-November 2, along with their counterparts from the emerging Tasman Peninsula. 

Think a landscape where vineyards share the space with orchards, rivers, farms, forests, the coast and wild hilltops and mountains. And where pinot noir, chardonnay and other grape varieties thrive.

The line-up of producers involved include first timers in Caledon Estate, Bear and Bird Wines and  Chatto Wines, along with well-known brands like Frogmore Creek, Pooley Wines and Nocton Vineyard, Kate Hill Wines, Mewstone Vineyard, and Bangor Vineyard Shed and Bream Creek on the Peninsula. 

 
Among the vinous treats on offer will be new-release wines available for the first time, rare back vintages made available and other drinks, like Lost Pippin Cider and craft spirits at Charles Reuben Estate. 

Several of the producers do not have cellar doors and open only once or twice a year, and at most you will have the chance to talk to the people who grow the fruit and make the wines. 

Some spaces will be offering live music, art displays and seasonal food.

“This is a fabulous opportunity to enjoy the beauty of southern Tasmania winemaking 
in a most intimate and convivial way," says Mark McNamara of Merriworth Wines, the president of Wine South.. 

"Every winery in our expanding community is a destination worthy of the touring journey. As Spring In The Vines continues to grow we anticipate record numbers of wine lovers."

One winery getting into the spirit of the event is Charles Reuben in the Coal River Valley which will offers Rannoch Quail by Grazing Daisy & Co. on the Saturday and Sunday, Tasmanian charcuterie, cheese, and chocolate, paired with their wines, Tasmanian aged brandy, port and eaux de vie.

They also have music from CRUM (Coal River Ukulele Mob) on the Saturday and folk duo 

The Rusticators on the Sunday. 

For a full list of participating wineries and their offerings visit www.winesouth.com.au

Images: Dearna Bond

Tasmanian vineyards to throw open their gates

Been meaning to visit some cellar doors in Tasmania? 

Here's a date for your diary: the weekend of February 28-March 2. 

The Southern Open Vineyards weekend showcases Tasmania’s renowned southern wine regions with 37 wineries across the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley and d’Entrecasteaux Channel, and Hobart and the south east.

Unlike many traditional wine festivals, Southern Open Vineyards features famous producers alongside wineries that are completely unknown outside of Tasmania. 

Guests are invited to wander through vineyards, chat with winemakers, and taste wines just metres from where the grapes are grow. 

Several of the producers involved do not have cellar doors and only open for tastings a couple of times a year. 

Think behind-the-scenes tours, barrel tastings, and the chance to buy back vintages and exclusive cellar door releases.

The festival will see the launch of several  2024 vintage pinot noirs, alongside sparkling wines, chardonnays, rieslings and cool-climate shirazes. 

Among the participating vineyards are Pooley Wines, Puddleduck Vineyard, Brinktop (below) and Frogmore Creek in the Coal River Valley and Derwent Estate Wines, Invercarron  and Viridian Wines in the Derwent region.

The Huon Valley & d’Entrecasteaux Channel will feature Kate Hill Wines, Cathedral Rock Vineyard, Mewstone Wines and Yellow Point Vineyard, while the Tasman Peninsula will showcase Bangor Vineyard Shed, Bream Creek Vineyard and Small Island Wines.

Southern Open Vineyards is presented by Wine South Tasmania. See www.openvineyards.about/ |

Guided tours can be arranged through The Derwent Experience, Aging Barrel Tours, or Apple Isle Wine Tours.

There are also festival discounts at top hotels including The Tasman, Hadley’s Orient Hotel, and The Old Woolstore.

Tasting with some of Tasmania's best wine producers

Here is the perfect excuse for any interstate wine lovers who have been thinking about visiting Tasmania and popping by some cellar doors.

Wine South will host the annual Spring in the Vines Festival over the weekend of November 3-5.

Producers throughout the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley, Tasmania Peninsula and Huon Valley/d'Entrecasteaux Channel will be opening up for tastings of new releases, older vintages, food and fun.

Spring in the Vines began in 2020 to showcase Southern Tasmania’s cool-climate wines and scenic vineyards.Producers large and small - some who do not usually open to the public - will open up to visitors, allowing wine lovers to chat directly with producers.

With more than 5000 visitors anticipated for the 2023 event, the festival provides a significant economic boost to the southern wine region.

“Spring in the Vines is a unique and inclusive festival, bringing together vineyards, wineries, winemakers, and negociants, to showcase southern Tasmania as a premium wine destination,” says Nathalie Urbain from Wine South, the producer collective that organises the event.

Wine South president Mark McNamara says Spring in the Vines is “an event not to be missed by all Tasmanians and visitors to our beautiful state, showcasing the season’s newly released wines.”

Many wineries- over 40 are expected to participate -  will be partnering with local musicians and food producers.

“Spring in the Vines is the perfect chance to emerge from your winter hibernation with friends and family and experience everything that is unique about southern Tasmanian wine, our vineyards and producers, and take home some the best of the new season wines,” McNamara says.

Details at www.winesouth.com.au and further updates will be posted closer to the date.

Calling wine lovers in Tasmania

Tasmania's Spring in the Vines festival is coming back for a second year on the weekend of November 4-6. 

Close to 40 vineyards across key wine regions in southern Tasmania including the Coal River Valley,  Derwent Valley, Huon Valley and the south-east will be involved. 

the event sees grape growers and winemakers in Southern Tasmania are coming together to open their doors to the public for a behind-the-scenes look. 

The festival is about celebrating spring, a new vintage, a new wine cycle of life and is designed to showcase Tasmania’s growing global reputation for premium cool-climate wines. 

To help celebrate, there will be food, live music, art and other entertainment. It is also an opportunity for wine lovers to meet wine producers who don’t usually open their doors on a regular basis. 

Whether you've been meaning to taste wines from small producers like Cathedral Rock, Trial Bay, Off the Rails, Future Perfect or Sonnen Wines, or to visit more established wineries like Mewstone (above) Bangor, Kate Hill, Pooley and Derwent Estate, this is your chance. 

The event is organised by Wine South Tasmania. Wine South and for info on participating vineyards and their programs, visit https://www.winesouth.com.au/