 Wine Television's first visit to Tasmania, Australia visits Pipers Brook Vineyard where the advantages of the Southern climates for yielding high
quality grapes are discussed. Next stop: the Stillwater Restaurant to stand ocean-side as Chef Don Cameron prepares a lime and cane sugar cured salmon with mango salsa and walnut coulis! While the southern sun still shines, take full advantage with a stop by Barilla Bay Oysters where David Forrest explores the processes involved in harvesting live oysters.
The visit to this amazing island would simply not be complete without a trek along the scenic hiking trails of Wineglass bay, which is actually shaped like a giant wineglass!
Wine Televisions fourth season airs at 10 p.m. on Prime TV on Saturdays.
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SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL:
Wine in Tasmania
Tasmaniašs wine industry covers three distinct regions, reflecting the contrasting landscapes. About 150 vineyards produce long lasting whites and Pinot Noirs, acclaimed sparkling wines and full-bodied reds in locations that are lakeside, overlooking rivers, wide bays and in garden settings. In the north, the Tamar Valley Wine Route threads through the Tamar Valley and Pipers Brook regions, while the Southern Tasmanian Wine Regions include the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley and Huon Valley and encompass family operations, historic locations and Moorilla Estate, which in the 1950s was a founding vineyard for the Statešs modern wine industry. The east coastšs valley and seaside vineyards produce some of the richest Pinot Noirs in the world and prize-winning chardonnays. Four varieties of grapes account for
the majority of all production - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling although more exotic varieties such as schonburger, siegerrbe and ehrenfelzer are winning wine show medals. A number of Tasmanian vineyards host regular concerts on-site.
TOURING TASMANIAšS WINE REGION
A Honeymoon Bay sunset gleaming in your glass of East Coast chardonnay; crayfish and oysters on the Stanley foreshore; luscious blueberries, freshly picked at Huon Valley farm; creamy and delicious King Island brie; salmon from clean seas and vegetables from rich soil and pure water take your taste buds on a journey through the pleasures and relaxations that make a Tasmanian experience so memorable.
Along the North West Coast, rolling fields of red soil produce wonderful vegetables and full-flavoured cheeses. In the east and the south, superb seafood crayfish, oysters, blue eye, salmon are harvested from clear, cold waters.
In the north, the Tasmanian Wine Route uncovers delicious secrets on the banks of the Tamar River and hidden hollows in the nearby hills the
regionšs superb sauvignon blancs and chardonnays taste best when you sip them in the shade of the vines themselves.
The East Coast is sunshine and seafood, walks and wildlife. In costal and valley vineyards, bunches of riesling, pinot and cabernet grapes ripen in the mellow warmth of autumn afternoons. On a rewarding half-day walk across the Freycinet Peninsula, youšll discover Wineglass Bay, one of the worldšs best beaches. Further south, the site of Maria Islandšs colonial settlement is the perfect place to enjoy a gourmet lunch hamper. Experience all this and more on the East Coast Gourmet Trail.
Your encounter with some of the finest coolclimate wines on Earth continues as you explore the Southern Tasmanian Wine Route while you taste, smell and savour the fruits of their labours, the winemakers can explain what makes the valleys of the Coal River and the River Derwent the right place to create wonderful wines.
South of Hobart, the Huon Trail loops into the rich, rolling landscapes of the Huon and Channel districts, leading to orchards and dairy lands, berry farms and vineyards, snug DšEntrecasteaux Channel anchorages in hidden coves, remote Bruny Island lighthouses and mighty forests. In autumn each year, celebrate the diversity of wine and food available in the Huon, Channel and Bruny Island region at the Taste of the Huon
Click Here .
All along the Food & Wine Journey, youšll experience the delights of sampling superb produce, grown in Tasmaniašs pristine environment, presented with skill and passion by growers, makers and chefs.
Pipers Brook Vineyard
Pipers Brook Vineyard is an award winning, cool-climate vineyard situated on the North coast of Tasmania. The Pirie Family established the vineyard in 1974, and their uncompromising search for great vineyard sites has resulted in a range of wines featuring the unique taste of Tasmania.
1216 Pipers Brook Road (Highway C818)
Pipers Brook TAS 7254
Tel: (03) 6382 7527
Fax: (03) 6382 7226
Email: cellardoor@pbv.com.au
Web: www.pbv.com.au
Contact: Andrew Pirie Winemaker.
Meadowbank Vineyard
Nestled on the banks of the Derwent River, Meadowbankšs fine varietal wines and spectacular scenery epitomise Tasmaniašs elegant lifestyle.
699 Richmond Road
Cambridge Tasmania
PO Box 180
Richmond TAS 7025
Tel: (03) 6248 4484
Fax: (03) 6248 4485
Email: bookings@meadowbankwines.com.au
Web: www.meadowbankwines.com.au
Contact: Gerald Ellis
Domaine A / Stoney Vineyard
Domaine A / Stoney Vineyard is a 20ha property in the Coal River Valley of southern Tasmania, owned by Peter and Ruth Althaus. Just half an hour's drive from the city of Hobart, it was originally planted with 0.5ha of noble grape varieties in 1973 by its former owners, Priscilla and George Park Inspired by the quality and potential of the site's early wines, Peter and Ruth purchased Stoney Vineyard in 1989 - the culmination of a long and exhaustive world-wide search for a site ideally suited to cool climate viticulture. Excellent wines for current consumption, or mid-term cellaring, are marketed under the Stoney Vineyard label. Those released under the Domaine A label are the very best the property can produce.
105 Tea Tree Road
P O Box 137
Campania TAS 7026
Tel: (03) 6260 4174
Fax: (03) 6260 4390
Email: althaus@domaine-a.com.au
Web: www.domaine-a.com.au
Contact: Peter Althaus - Winemaker
Coal River Valley Wine Tours is Tasmaniašs Premier wine tour operator. During a typical tour, guests meet and talk with vineyard owners
and winemakers, while sampling some winning wines. This journey through fertile valleys and rolling hillsides, enables guests to digest gorgeous landscape, and offers the freedom to stroll through historic Richmond, renowned for its convict heritage, its arts and crafts and fine foods and beverage. Richmond also boasts the oldest bridge and Catholic Church in Australia!
Coal River Valley Wine Tours will also customize a longer wine/food tour upon request.
Operates daily from March December.
Half Day Tours Operate: 09:45 - 14:30 13:30 - 17:00
Full Day Tours Operate: 10:00 - 16:30
Evening Tours Operate: 17:30 - 20:30
Fares:
Prices from AU $49.50 including GST
Group rates and private charters are available.
Customized tours to other Tasmanian wine regions are available on request.
The Australian Travel Headquarters is the best in full-service, customized travel arrangements to Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia and
the South Pacific based on YOUR interests, style, preferences and budget.
Australian Travel Headquarters
355 Bristol St. Suite H
Costa Mesa, CA
92626
Phone: (800) 546-2155
Email: info@australian-travelhq.com
Website: www.australian-travelhq.com
* At the bottom of the following website section, there is a pdf available. - 'Tasmania: Cool Wine & Food, Cool Wilderness', lists packaged,
regional wine and food experiences in the State, including very good interpretation of the experiences.
Click Here |
