The Tamar Valley in northern Tasmania is one of the island's most historic and fertile agricultural regions. European exploration began here in 1804, when English naval officer William Collins charted the Kanamaluka/Tamar River and recommended the area for settlement. The valley became a centre of colonial agriculture, river trade and industry, its fertile soils supporting orchards, grazing, cropping and eventually cool climate viticulture from the latter half of the 20th century.
Today, it's home to Tasmania's most dynamic agricultural and tourism sectors.
Geologically, the valley itself is remarkably diverse. The upper reaches near Launceston are underlain by ancient dolerite and basalt, while the mid and lower sections of the valley feature Tertiary clays, gravels and alluvial deposits laid down by this substantial river system. In some locations, marine sediments and limestone occur, contributing to soil variability – from deep, well-drained loams to lighter sandy profiles on vineyard slopes.
This mix of soil types – along with the valley's favourable maritime climate – provide excellent growing conditions for stylish Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and aromatic whites including Pinot Gris and Riesling.
The Tamar Valley Wine Route takes visitors along a 170 kilometre journey of discovery, encompassing more than 30 vineyards and wineries.
"One of the top 10 wine routes in the world." Essential Travel Magazine (UK)
Often dubbed Australia's sparkling wine queen, South Australian-born Natalie Fryar put all of her winemaking chips on the table in 2015 to launch a solo career that has seen Bellebonne become one of the most admired and respected sparkling wine brands in the country.
When winemaker Cynthea Semmens returned to Marion's Vineyard after 15 years of study and work interstate and overseas, her homecoming brought with it the added joy of partner David Feldheim and young toddler Solomon. The 8ha Tamar Valley vineyard and winery established by Mark and Marion Semmens in 1980 was in need of a helping hand by 2010.
Chartley Estate at Rowella – 45km north of Launceston – sits on fertile river terraces that were once home to grazing and apple-growing before cool climate vineyards first appeared there 40 years ago. Sandy/gravelly loams over siltstone and mudstone offer good drainage for vines and impart a certain minerality and finesse to the resulting wines.
During the 1980s, Bob and Rita Richter spent three years travelling Europe's best-known vineyards in search of expressive, terroir-driven wines. Inspired by their experiences, they returned home to investigate potential cool climate vineyard sites.
When Sydney-siders Matt and Sarah Hurst first set eyes on their 140ha property outside Hillwood, it was 2016 and the former grazing land hadn't been worked for generations. Potential buyers had always knocked it back. There was no road, no water, no power. But the town planner and advertising executive bought it any way.
Holm Oak at Rowella – north of Launceston – blends 19th century heritage with 21st century winemaking flair. The Tamar Valley property was first settled in the late 1800s by architect and botanist Alexander North, who named it after the holm oaks he established there.
Marion's Vineyard – overlooking the Tamar River/kanamaluka near Deviot – was established by Mark and Marion Semmens in 1979 after they moved from California and purchased a neglected apple orchard to begin transforming it into one of Tasmania's earliest family-run vineyards.
When Bruce McCormack arrived in Tasmania on a working holiday in 1993, it wasn't long before he realised his time in the State was going to be more holiday than work without reliable employment. It was then that the 20-year-old decided to forego his Western Australian background in aquaculture for a future in Tasmanian viticulture.
When Rod and Karen Thorpe bought land on Moores Hill at Sidmouth in the 1980s, they couldn't wait to put their plans into action. Planting a vineyard wasn't among them. Indeed, they pulled out vines previous owners had established.
Everything old is new again at Peco Wines. Hannah Cox and Ben Pearson are the winemaking couple behind this small, natural 'zero-zero' wine project in the Tamar Valley. It sprang to life from what they describe as a shared love of 'wine without compromise.'