THE JOURNEY
On just one weekend a year....
On just one weekend of the year, makers of wine in the greater Tamar Valley, lift up their heads from the fruit fermenting in the winery. They stop sharpening their tools in readiness for pruning and look out over the russet leaves of the vines and think back. It’s been more than two hundred days since the first shoot appeared and Vintage 2020 began. They congratulate each other: VINTAGE: TAMAR 2020 has arrived.
At the end of May, winemakers and viticulturists get to boast about what they have achieved together. How they saw off Jack Frost in spring just like their counterparts in the Northern hemisphere who dare to grow grapes in the higher latitudes. How they protected the canopies so the sun’s rays could bring energy to ripen the tiny berries. They’ve forgotten the labour to pick the fruit ripened to perfection. Wine. It’s as romantic a tale that has ever been told. Centuries old in history, recreated in northern Tasmania.
Come join them and take A JOURNEY around twenty-two wine estates that have paused to welcome you to celebrate VINTAGE: TAMAR 2020. Find out what makes cool climate wine so special. 'Vitis Vinifera', that’s just the start. A long slow growing season is a clue. 'Do we till the soil or let it grow wild?' 'What is a field blend?' 'A muselet?' 'What combination of fruit makes a Sparkling wine?' 'Love to own your own vineyard? Build a trellis, plant and prune a vine, watch it grow.'
Learn from the experts while enjoying the stunning scenery of Northern Tasmania. We’ve found time to arrange a transport option to suit you. You will travel through a valley of diverse beauty. Natural hills and valleys, water vistas, lush farmland amidst orchards and vineyards. It will be a soothing experience with an itinerary prepared for you. No planning needed, just choose what interests you.
Featuring internationally recognised premium cool climate Tasmanian wines produced in the Tamar Valley just outside of Launceston and a program of activities from Friday night to Sunday night. Early Bird Festival pass $40 (both days). 
NORTH WEST TAMAR
Tasmania’s first solar powered winery. Family owned, all wines made on site.
Grapes & Grooves sensory wine tasting and music tour in the winery with the winemaker Julian Allport. 10.30 and 2.30 Sat & Sun 
Wine flight: vertical Riesling tasting at cellar door.
Music
Small plate/glass of wine
A boutique vineyard on the outskirts of Beaconsfield.
Food options include local produce cooked over the fire pit.
Live Music.
Small plate/glass of wine.
Join us for a great weekend of Pinot Noir and Pizza fun as our friends from Greenbean Woodfired Catering join us on-site at our cellar door at Kayena.
There will be a showcase of some museum release Pinot Noir for tasting and sale on this weekend.
The wood fired oven will be fired up to offer you a range of delicious pizza from 12 noon both days to enjoy with a glass of wine. Great local musicians on both days from 12-3.
Plenty of shelter from the elements with an onsite marquee and heating.
So pry yourself from the couch, rug up and join us for a great weekend of Pinot Noir, pizza, music and fire!
Cellar door in a convict built cottage on the vineyard.
‘Sip n See’: wine tastings and art by sculptor Anita Denholm, inspired by historic stone masonry.
Small plate/glass of wine.
Small-parcel wines, award winning cellar door and James Halliday 5 star winery rating.
Wine flight: 4 back vintage wines.
Food truck.
Local artist exhibition.
MASTERCLASS: the role of oak in Pinot Noir, noon Sat & Sun $30
Museum Wine at the Night at the Museum.
Waterton Hall and Chartley Estates
Historic homestead and estate. Walking and tasting tour of vineyard, boathouse and convict built barn. Noon and 3pm Sat & Sun, $30 per head
BREAKFAST: ABALONE & PETUNA SEAFOOD, matched with white wine from Waterton Hall and Chartley Estates. Historical tour of the estate included following breakfast.
From 9 Sat & Sun $90
WEST TAMAR
Small parcel vineyard owned by wine lovers who purchased it while on a wine tour.
Talk from the owner at cellar door: So you want to buy a vineyard? 11:30am and 2:00 pm Sat & Sun.
Small plate/glass of wine.
Vineyard with winery, cellar door and day spa on site.
Winery talk by the owner (30 mins). Noon and 3.30pm Sat & Sun.
Pinot barrel blending – make your own bottle to take home. 11 and 2, Sat & Sun. $55
Food/coffee truck available through the day.
Music.
Small plate/glass of wine.
Wines made in the vineyard and polished in the winery with minimal intervention. Family owned, growing both cool climate and rarer varietals.
Wine and escargot tasting, with tours of boutique snail farm ‘Tascargot’ throughout the day.
Small plate/glass of wine (limited servings each day)
One of the first vineyards planted in the Tamar, by pioneers in the valley’s wine industry. Still run by the same family on their block by the river’s western banks. 
Talk/class on crafting field blends. 11, 1 and 3 Sat & Sun
Fun competition - ‘The Great Expectorate Challenge’ throughout the day.
Small plate/glass of wine.
Museum Wine at the Night at the Museum
Pinot Noir dominant vineyard in an elevated position on the western banks of the Tamar, producing time-honoured Tasmanian wines.
Pinot Noir and chocolate tasting combined with Contemporary Dance installation. 11 Sat & 2 Sun
DINNER: NOIR: FEAST OF THE TAMAR
A presentation by Chief Winemaker Tom Wallace along with guest speakers Rebecca Duffy, owner and winemaker at Holm Oak Vineyards, and third generation vigneron Anthony DeAmicis of Tamar Ridge. MC for the evening will be wine educator Andrew Harris.
In this Pinot-centric presentation you will hear about pinot clones, the role of oak, the conditions making the Tamar and Tasmania particularly suited to the growing of this special grape and the unique handling it requires in the winery. Following the one-hour presentation, guests will enjoy a wonderful Pinot-centric dinner with matched wines.
A chance to frock-up in Art Deco style for a feast by in-house chefs Hubert+Dan with matched wines from the Tamar Valley Wine List. $195
Small plate/glass of wine.
Museum Wine at the Night at the Museum.
Hand crafted, cool climate, boutique wines from this long-established vineyard in the heart of the West Tamar Valley.
Ten minute talks on grapevine pruning on the half hour throughout the day, with viticulturist Rod Thorpe.
DINNER: ‘Dark and Broody’, onsite at Timbre Kitchen, with ‘welcome to country’ outback themed entertainments, and three trophied winemaker guest speakers. $180
Small plate/glass of wine.
EAST TAMAR
Premium Australian sparkling wines produced in the traditional method, and an award winning architect-designed cellar door.
MASTERCLASS: in sparkling dosage, at 11.30 and 2 Sat & 11.30 and 3 Sun. $30
Small plate/glass of wine.
DINNER: ‘Glittering’ dinner with seasonal menu, a showcase of sparkling wines with speakers including four prominent Tamar Valley Sparkling winemakers. $195
Museum Wine at the Night at the Museum.
A small family estate producing refined single varietal wines as well as Late Disgorged Sparkling. Aged wines a specialty.
Pruning display (10min.) on 30 yr old vines on the hour both days with the owner.
Wine flights: guided tasting of Pinot Noir V13, 14, 15, 16,17.
ForkIt Farm pulled pork Tacos with Asian slaw and Kim Chi and Summer Lea beef mini burgers served throughout the day.
Small plate/glass of wine.
Museum Wine at the Night at the Museum.
Home of Tasmania’s first sparkling wine, made using the traditional method –known as Methode Tasmanoise. Experience the full sparkling range.
Morning and afternoon tea also available.
Nestled in the heart of Tasmanian wine country, Pipers Brook Vineyard is one of the oldest estates in the Valley, first planted in 1984.
Wine tasting combined with live harp recital in the cosy cellar door courtyard. Luke Whittle, winemaker, presiding. Emily Sanzaro Harpist. 11.30 Sat & 2.30 Sun. $55
Nadine’s Cafe
Small plate/glass of wine.
One of the first vineyards planted in Pipers River.
Wine and barrel room tastings of Pinot Noir with the vigneron. 11,1 and 3 Sat & Sun.
A family owned estate specialising in small yield and maximum intensity.
Vineyard walk and talk on terroir with the vigneron. 2:00pm Sat & 10:30am Sun.
Talk and tastings of alternative varieties with vigneron 10.30 Sat & 2:00pm Sun.
Museum Wine at the Night at the Museum.
Family owned winery at Pipers River. Traditional method sparkling a specialty with wines grown, made and bottled on the estate.
MASTERCLASS: traditional method sparkling wine, and tour of the winery with the owners (1 hour). 10.30 & 3 Sat & 10.30 and 2 Sun. $30
Tasting of the Delamere range post-tour (1 hour)
Museum Wine at the Night at the Museum.
Vineyard and Sparkling Wine Tour. In-depth look at Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier blending within the Traditional Sparkling Wine Method. Tours 11.30, 1.30, 3.30 Sat & Sun. Followed by tastings in the cellar door.
For those not attending the tour there will be 'Artists in Residence' working on landscapes of the vineyard and around the cellar door. Opportunity to watch the work-in-progress and talk with the artists.
Note: the cellar door will not be open during tour times
Home of House of Arras, Bay of Fires and Eddystone Point range of wines
RELBIA
Oldest existing vineyard in Relbia producing luxurious, award-winning wines.
Wine flight: Cabernet Merlot long back vintages V13, V14, V15, V16, V16, V17 V18. 11am and 3pm Sat & Sun.
Music.
FULL TWO-DAY JOURNEY PROGRAM BELOW: To save or print double click on image. It will open as a .pdf file.
