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| The last leaves of Autumn on the Wine Trail |
Tasmania is famous for its cool climate wines, so much
so that even French wine maker Moet et Chandon is beginning to use Tasmanian
grapes in its Australian product and Tasmanian wines have been winning prizes
since 1974.
In
2013 Tasmania had 230 vineyards and 1500 hectares planted to vines.
While most of it is grown in the north of the state
and there are other fine vineyards further south, in the Derwent Valley and in
the east, there is a particularly high concentration of them in the
Coal River Valley only about half an hour’s drive away, so I thought I would start there.
Of course if you are pressed for time, you can try
them all at once at Clemens Hill in Richmond, or at the Gasworks, in
Hobart without ever having to leave town.
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| Frogmore Vineyard |
It was a glorious day for a drive – crisp, clear and sunny,
with the last few leaves still clinging to the vines. Like the wines, each of the vineyards also has its own character and with the exception of one
of the originals – the small Craigow Vineyard, most of them also serve food. Frogmore's restaurant won the Regional Division of the Australian Restaurant of the Year Awards last year and was well patronised when I called. At least two of them also
cater for children. Riversdale Estate has its delightful Peter Rabbit Garden ($20 for adults, $10 for children), as well as a French bistro. Puddleduck has
an outdoor picnic area where children can also feed the ducks. Their parent’s survival
pack ($10) which includes juice, a frog biscuit, icy pole, colouring book and
pencils along with duck food, is noted for future reference. They also have an interesting take on BYO . Instead of bringing the wine, you can bring the food and they will supply the wine.Unfortunately,due to our strict drink and drive laws, I couldn't sample as much as I would have liked, nor am I the greatest wine buff - after a glass or two, they all taste good to me, but there are certainly worse ways to while away an afternoon.
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| Elegance - Frogmore |
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| Casual at Riversdale |
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| Intimate at Craigow |
There are no less than seven vineyards just on the short
stretch of road from Cambridge to Richmond, plus several more along the Tea Tree
Road on the other side and the Lark Distillery also has a presence here, so
there is no shortage of places to eat and
drink. Although I had planned to visit them
all on this trip, I only managed four before closing time, but I look forward
to reporting on the others in the near future. The best way would be to take the bus or one
of the many wine tours so there are no concerns about having to drive home afterwards. Maybe next time I'll take along a friend who doesn’t drink.
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| Family friendly Puddleduck -they also have reverse BYO where you can bring your food and buy the wine |
What I missed out on in wine tasting, I made up for in
cheeses – another area in which Tasmania shines. Both Coal River Farm and the
prizewinning Wicked Cheese Factory are on this route and were also doing a
roaring trade. At Coal River Farm you can pick your own berries when in season. They also have a great range of chocolate and
chocolate products and a restaurant too. At
Wicked you can enjoy a variety of Goat or Cow’s milk cheeses, including
excellent bries and camenberts as well as a range of cheddars and blues. I was especially taken by the yoghurt cheese today, though I also bought camenbert and fudge. They
also have a licensed café which serves local beers, ciders and wine.
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| Brie and Cambert gleam gold and silver in the fridges at Coal River Farm |
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| Tasting at the Wicked Cheese Factory where you can often see cheese being made too |
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| Afterglow -the sun is about to set as I head home |
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