The 5 Best Pipers River Wineries to Visit Now
What once was an extension of the Tamar Valley, the Pipers River wine region, and by extension, the Pipers River wineries in Tasmania are making a name for themselves. With a cool climate and coastal breeze from the Bass Strait, this wine region in Tasmania is most recognized for producing some of Australia’s most awarded and regarded sparkling wine.
Easily one of the best things to do in north east Tasmania is to visit a few of the wineries for which the area is known. Wineries such as the Bay of Fires where you can sample Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine label and other small batch vineyards where you have the chance to meet the winemakers themselves.
But deciding on which Pipers River wineries to go to isn’t easy. Even though the number of wineries may be small, each winery offers its own unique flavor and take on the wines from the region. That is where we come in. We have sat in the seats, drank the wine, and put in a bit of the leg work to help you decide which Pipers River wineries are right for you.
So, without further adieu, here are the top five wineries in the Pipers River wine region that we recommend visiting on your holiday to Tasmania.
The Best Pipers River Wineries
Tasmania is home to some of Australia’s most awarded wineries, and the Pipers River wine region is no exception. Here are what we think are the best wineries in the area.
Delamare Vineyards
Delamare Vineyards is one of the best Pipers River wineries and our first foray into the delicious sparkling wines from Tasmania. Keeping in theme with the wines found throughout Tasmania, Delamere Vineyards plants only chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. It won’t take you long, really after your first sip, to realize that despite planting only two types of grapes, Delamare Vineyards have perfected their craft.
With a wide array of both sparkling and table wines, you are sure to find one that you love. At their cellar door, you can choose from four different types of flights, sparkling, white, red, and prestige flight. Each flight showcases its best products allowing you to taste some of its high-end ranges such as its vintage cuvee and its single “block” vintages for both its red and white varietals.
Bookings are encouraged to ensure you can sit outside on their lovely veranda. The tastings range between $10 – $20 and are not waived with purchase.
Sinapius Wines
Located on the adjacent property to Delamere Vineyards is the lovely Sinapius Wines. Unlike other wineries in the area, Sinapius Wines focuses more on still wines over the sparkling wines for which the region is renowned. Sinapius Wines is also unique in that its vineyard is a high-density vineyard meaning they plant between 7,700 and 10,250 vines per hectare!
While visiting the Pipers River wineries, a stop at Sinapius is encouraged. Their range of wines rivals any of their nearby competitors and their staff at the cellar door were more than inviting.
The range of wines at Sinapius includes roses, a blanc de blanc, a chardonnay, a Gruner Veltliner, a Gamay, and a range of pinot noirs. The Gamay was a particular highlight as there are few Gamay wine producers located in Tasmania and perhaps my first taste of Gamay as a standalone wine.
Reservations are not required for a tasting at Sinapius and the price of the tasting is waived with the purchase of a bottle of wine.
Clover Hill Wines
We might be a little bit biased with personal ties to Clover Hill Wines, but hands down Clover Hill Wines is one of the best Pipers River wineries to visit. Previously holding the award as the best Tasmanian vineyard, Clover Hill Wines exudes excellence, elegance, and quality.
Clover Hill Wines produces its sparkling wine in the traditional champagne method and produces the three traditional varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Enjoy a delectable tasting of six wines sparkling in their state-of-the-art cellar door overlooking their beautiful Pipers River vineyard in Pipers Brook, Tasmania. While not required, bookings are encouraged to ensure you do not miss this opportunity!
Clover Hill Wines also has a range of still wines under the label Idiom. This range includes a rose, pinot gris, chardonnay, and of course pinot noir. These wines are not included as part of the tasting but are available at the winery.
Apogee Tasmania
Apogee Tasmania is a small boutique winery in the Pipers River wine region that should be a must on anyone’s Pipers River wineries bucket list. While Apogee may be unknown to many, you may have heard of the man behind the operations, Andrew Pirie.
Andrew Pirie is one of Australia’s most recognized winemakers over the last 40 years and the pioneer of winemaking in the Pipers River wine region. Influential in the Pipers Brook Vineyard (just 15km north of Apogee) as well as Ninth Island, you may have already tasted some of his craft. And with his most recent accomplishments as producing one of the top 3 sparkling wines in Australia, you aren’t going to want to miss this one!
Visiting Apogee Tasmania is by appointment only, so make sure you plan ahead if you want to taste these delectable wines! The visit includes a tour of the facilities and wine tasting.
Update: Apogee Tasmania was recently announced as being one of the best new wineries in Australia in the 2021 Halliday Wine Companion!
Bay of Fires
No list of the best Pipers River wineries is complete without including the Bay of Fires. At the Bay of Fires winery, you can have the chance to taste wines under three separate labels, each with its own distinct flavor of northeast Tasmania wines.
The highlight of visiting the Bay of Fires winery is the chance to taste Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine brand, House of Arras. The complexity of the sparkling wines from House of Arras rivals those found in some of the oldest sparkling wine regions throughout the world. In fact, Ed Carr recently was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. So, if these facts alone don’t entice you to stop by the Bay of Fires, I am not quite sure what will.
In addition to the House of Arras label, you have the Bay of Fires label and Eddystone Point label.
The Bay of Fires range includes sparkling wines, white wines, and a single pinot noir. Their wines bring out the complexity of the terrain found in northeast Tasmania and are remarkable, to say the least. The Eddystone Point collection is the most affordable range available at the Bay of Fires winery.
The only drawback of visiting Bay of Fires is the cost with the premium wine tastings costing $75 AUD, but hey, you get to try Australia’s most lauded sparkline wine, so it is probably worth it.
Bonus Tip: Fork It Farm
Looking for something else to do in the Pipers River wine region? Consider visiting Fork It Farm for a delicious picnic in the paddock! Fork It Farm is open Wednesday – Sunday (Sat./Sun. dependent on market days) for a picnic and farm tour. Trust us, you are going to be hungry so what better way to support the area than grabbing a delicious charcuterie meal straight from the farmers!
Where to Stay in Pipers River Tasmania
The best place to stay when visiting the Pipers River wine region is in Launceston. Only a thirty-minute drive, Launceston offers the best accommodation, great dining options, and plenty of other things to do in the area. Launceston is also a great base for exploring the Tamar Valley wineries which can be explored on a single trip.
Murdoch Tasmania
Located in Pipers Brook, the Murdoch Tasmania is easily one of the best places to stay in Pipers River Tasmania. This boutique accommodation set on an Arabian stud farm is truly a farm stay unlike any other!
The Murdoch aims to provide a luxury boutique experience, and they are nailing it. A beautifully designed and curated two-story home with floor-to-ceiling windows taking in the beauty of the surrounding nature. A stay at the Murdoch includes breakfast, snacks, and, of course, wine and gin from nearby producers to be enjoyed while on the property. Those who are on a romantic getaway can even arrange a private in-house chef for an evening to cook a delicious 5-course gourmet meal.
If you are looking for luxury and tranquility during your trip to Pipers River Tasmania then the Murdoch is perfect for you!
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The Dragonfly Inn
A charming bed and breakfast located within walking distance to the city center, The Dragonfly Inn is perfect for couples looking for a getaway. Spacious, styled rooms complete with private bathrooms and comfortable beds await you in this beautiful inn. The Dragonfly Inn uses a self-check-in system and includes a self-serve breakfast each morning. We highly recommend staying at the Dragonfly Inn when visiting Launceston and the surrounding area.
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Change Overnight
Change Overnight offers stylish, comfortable one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Launceston. Each apartment comes equipped with everything you need for an enjoyable stay.
But the best thing of all about Change Overnight is their commitment to sustainable travel. Change Overnight has taken steps to reduce its impact on the world and make for a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment through the removal of single-use plastics, water-efficient toilets and showers, renewable energy, and the investment of a percentage of each stay back into the community.
With all of these great sustainable efforts by Change Overnight, it is hard not to say no to these guys.
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It is no secret that Tasmania is producing some of Australia’s best wines and any sparkling wine lover will no doubt enjoy their time visiting the Pipers River wineries! If you are interested in visiting more wineries in the area, the Tamar Valley is known for its beautiful wineries along the banks of the Tamar River and also has some of the best wineries in Tasmania!
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