Hartz views a must

Gone are the days when a winery visit meant hours of dirt-track driving and a glass of plonk poured at the back of a tin shed. With around 4.5 million tourists visiting Australian wineries each year – generating more than $1 billion in income – wine tourism is a key part of the business of licensed vineyard operators.

Tasmania has close to 60 cellar doors. And while it's good to see them providing visitors with enjoyable and memorable experiences that include Tasmanian lifestyle attributes like food, art, music, history and landscape, the best strive to match the high level of service and amenity that is afforded by larger and more professional winery operations.

With that in mind, last week's opening of Hartzview Vineyard's new $250,000 cellar door and winery developments at Gardners Bay is a welcome addition to Huon Valley tourism. It now provides visitors with some additional reasons for lingering longer at the region's growing number of small, family-owned vineyard cellar doors.

Officially opened by Minister for Economic Development Lara Giddings, the developments include a larger and more welcoming tasting area, with glassed-in seating to allow prospective customers to experience stunning views of the property's vineyard slopes and nearby Hartz Mountains.

What was once a small, hands-on winery with pumps, hoses and stainless steel tanks has become an attractively appointed wine gallery and retail area, offering locally grown produce and craft items for sale.

For owners Bob and Anthea Patterson - who first began Hartzview in 1988 and opened cellar door operations there just over a decade ago - the business has grown to become a real family affair. The couple's three daughters, Sandra, Edwina and Sally now form part of its sales and marketing team.

Their combined involvement has not only helped the business to expand its commercial vineyard and fruit wine operations. The personal and familial nature of its cellar door sales team allows visitors to fully understand and appreciate the property's rich history and unique wines. 

The site was formerly home to small scale berry fruit production, mainly blackcurrants and raspberries. Historic pickers huts - dating back to the 1930s - still stand on the property and are heritage listed.

"Hartzview Vineyard is a very special place and we're really proud of our produce," says Bob Patterson, who these days is both grower and winemaker.

"It's a great pleasure to share a property which is so rich in history and character. We've certainly worked to make it more than just a place to visit. It's a Tasmanian experience of gourmet food, wines, crafts and captivating beauty." 

Hartzview Vineyard is located on Dillons Road, and is within easy driving distance of Birchs Bay and Grandvewe Cheeses and Vineyard, owned by award-winning producers Diane Rae and Alan Irish.

And with Home Hill, Panorama, Elsewhere and No Regrets also located nearby, the Huon Valley/Channel district is the ideal place to celebrate today's final instalment in the annual Southern Vineyards Open Weekend. 

Take your camera. The views are spectacular.

First published 4 March 2006: The Examiner