Nestled in the heart of the Pipers River wine region is Sinapius Vineyard. Purchased by Linda and Vaughn Dell in 2005,  they put all their focus into the vineyard with a plan to craft exquisite wines with minimal intervention.  

Linda continues this today with a lineup of beautiful wines.  The Close Planted Pinot Noir has a nose full of red berries and  a slightly savoury note.  The palate is Burgundian in style with a strong forest floor/earthiness.  Make sure when you visit to ask about Vaughn’s Jardin Gamay; if you’re lucky they may have some open to try!  

Their tasting room offers a laid-back, friendly atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. Bookings are not required but highly recommended as this is a small, intimate tasting experience with the cellar door set right in the heart of the vineyard.

House of Arras/Bay of Fires is one of the state's most iconic vineyards and without doubt a competitor for best wine in Tasmania. Offering an immersive experience to its visitors with its elegant tasting room, striking vista, and collection of sparkling wines and still wines. 

They are well-known for their premium methode traditionelle sparkling wines.  Winemaker Ed Carr began his journey to craft the finest sparkling wine in Tasmania in 1988, and by 1995 House of Arras was founded and Ed quickly garnered acclaim and awards. The Grand Vintage line is a bargain when compared to chapagne prices and better than most.  Be sure not to miss the  E.J. Carr late disgorged line, these wines are delicious!  

Bay of Fires, the sister brand, focuses on the still wine portfolio primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Winemaker and Tassie native Stewart Byrne runs this side of the winery, and is producing Tassie wines that truly reflect the class and elegance of Tasmanian wines.  The Bay of Fires Pinot Gris was a standout wine to us.  We had consistently been impressed with Pinot Gris in Tasmania, and the rosewater amd pear characters on this one really found a great middle ground between lighter and crisper Italian Grigio styles vs the heavier French Gris style.  

Bookings at the cellar door are required, as this isn’t your normal tasting but a seated exploration into the story and wines of both houses.  Not one to be missed!

Delamere Vineyards has something really special going on.  Shane Holloway and Fran Austin share the duties of ownership and winemaking here, and are producing sparkling wines that, for us, rival the top champagnes available in Australia.  

A part of the “second” generation  of winemakers to migrate to Tasmania, they’ve brought international experience and a strong focus on premium production to their site.  Producing both still and sparkling wines, the bubbles really stood out to us.  

Look out for the  vintage cuvee and vintage rose, and if you can find it, the late disgorged Blanc de Blanc with blow your mind!  

The rugged landscape of Rolling Hills and grand eucalyptus trees, makes Delamere Vineyard a beautiful cellar door experience.  Walk ins will be accommodated if possible, but bookings are strongly recommended and required for groups of 4 or more.

Pipers Brook Vineyard produces exceptional wines with a focus on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling varietals. They offer wine tasting experiences in their cellar door courtesy of  Nadine’s, the bistro that shares space and manages the food and wine for Pipers Brook.  

Sip some luscious Pinot Gris, enjoy the stunning views and indulge in Tasmania's finest charcuterie, cheese and fresh oysters.

We’ll jump over to the west side of the Tamar River to continue our tour of Northern Tasmania.  Moores Hill Estate is an award-winning vineyard located in the heart of the Tamar Valley. Holding the distinction of being the first 100% solar powered winery in Tassie, the winery produces a range of premium wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Pinot Gris, and  Riesling.  

The wines here were excellent, however we’re really looking forward to seeing what new owners James and Constance can produce from this site.

Enjoy a wine tasting experience in their cozy cellar door and gaze at the stunning vineyard view over the Tamar River.

Make a journey to the Northern end of the Tamar Valley and witness the exceptional ambiance and wines of Swinging Gate Vineyard. Their wooden barn-style cellar door delightfully sits on top of a hillside, overlooking the vineyard and surrounding scenery. 

Appreciate the rustic charm and savor their excellent wine, which includes Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.  

If you’re lucky enough, you may have the opportunity to taste some side projects of the winemakers, including some amphora-aged wines!

Holm Oak Winery is not only known for its elegant range of wines but also for its luxurious wine tasting room featuring a stunning view over the vineyards. The winery specializes in Pinot Noir, and is producing some of our favourite Pinots coming out of Tasmania.  

They produce 3 different Pinot Expressions: The base Holm Oak Pinot Noir is a delicious cool climate style showing bright berry and lovely acidity, yet style holds some weight and earthy characters to balance out the wine.  The Wizard and Hot Shot Reserve styles only build these characters into larger and cellar worthy wines.  

Be sure to wander down and toss an apple to the pigs in the sty below the cellar door and have a wander of the sensory garden.  Each section is planted to the most common character for the grape varieties planted in Holm Oak’s vineyards. 

Located just a few kilometers north of Smithton, Hursey Seafoods in Stanley sits right on the harbour.  With over 100 years of operation, Hursey Seafoods is where freshness meets scrumptious seafood. 

Be sure to order their scallops as an entree and the crayfish as a main.  We enjoyed both with native saltbush butter and  found ourselves fighting over the last bites.

There was one constant we found across Tasmania: the food and produce from this small isle were always exquisite.  The produce was always full of flavour, the hams were smoked to perfection and held such different textures and taste depending on the different farms they came from.  The seafood always tasted straight out of the ocean, the cheeses blew our minds, and the breads just seemed both lighter and denser at the same time.

Hill Street Grocers became our go to market to shop with, as they held a strong focus on not only carrying only the best ingredients, but also made Tasmanian grown or produced groceries a primary focus. From the freshest Tasmanian produce to the tastiest artisan cheeses and chocolates, Hill Street Grocers has got everything under one roof. 

In Launceston you can find their northern flagship store, which sells everything from freshly baked bread to phyllo pastry to locally sourced seasonal fruit and vegetables. Take a break from wine tasting and indulge in Tasmania's finest gourmet products.  And make sure to stock up before heading home!

Northern Tasmania is a wonderful destination for both wine and travel lovers. With some of the finest vineyards on offer and the opportunity to indulge in fresh Tasmanian seafood or locally sourced artisanal produce, Northern Tasmania is a foodie's paradise. 

Northern Tasmania will always leave you with unforgettable memories of complex wines, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering Tasmanian produce.