Sipping Splendor: Tasmanian Wines in November

November in Tasmania marks the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere’s spring, a season of renewal, vibrancy and the start of a season full of adventure for the team at Unique Charters! 

But as the island blooms with colourful flora, it’s also an excellent time to explore the delicious world of Tasmanian wines. In this blog post, the Unique Charters team will delve into the charm of Tasmanian wines and why November is the perfect month to indulge in a wine tour (or two!) as well as some recommendations from the team on their Tassie favourite drop.

Sparkling Wine Season

Tasmania’s Clover Hill has gained a reputation for producing exceptional sparkling wines, particularly made from the Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grape varieties. November is an excellent time to explore this picturesque vineyard that specialises in sparkling wines crafted in the traditional, French manner known as method traditionelle. In December the neighbouring Lavender Farm at Bridestowe comes alive with colour, bringing with it a flock of tourists to the area so it’s also the month to visit before the crowds get too intense. 

If you’re finding it hard to choose just one bottle our CEO Peter Barron Recommends - Clover Hill Vintage Riche’ as the pick of the bunch. 

“This is the perfect Tasmanian sparkling for the festive season. Our family cherishes moments at Bicheno by the beach, and with three lively daughters, my wife and love savouring a bottle of this after a full day in the summer sun! haha. It's best enjoyed alongside some delicious seafood from our East Coast favourites, The Lobster Shack."

Image credit: Supplied courtesy of Clover Hill Wines

Bud Break and Growing Season

November is a crucial time in the grape-growing season. It's when the grapevines experience bud break, which is a stage where tiny buds emerge from the vine, marking the start of a new growth cycle. This period is essential for the development of the grape clusters that will eventually be harvested. The anticipation of a promising harvest adds an extra layer of excitement when visiting the North East’s Sinapius Vineyard. Bud Break represents a sense of new life in this unique high-density vineyard, this period of spring will excite wine lovers and those that just enjoy a good drop as it showcases the vineyard's Poussard techniques amongst a rolling green landscape of new life.

Jaime Taylor (Unique Charter Operations Manager) Recommends – Sinapius 2022 Vaughn’s Jardin Gamay

“This is a great go-to versatile red that’ll please even the non-red drinkers. It's totally chill-able if you like a colder red in the summer, or it can be served as is. This one works wonderfully with all the Christmas trimmings like my famous roast turkey or the delicious cheese platter my wife Christine puts together!”

Image credit: Adam Gibson

Fresh and Seasonal Food Pairings:

November brings a heightened level of fresh, flavoursome and seasonal produce to Tasmania. The availability of locally sourced ingredients enhances the culinary experience when paired with Tasmanian wines. Josef Chromys Head Chef Nick Raitt hones in on great local produce, cared for and cooked with heart and honesty. A lunch experience at Chromy’s as the locals fondly call the vineyard (maybe in our neatly packaged Unique Charters tour!) is the perfect idea for those hard to buy for loved ones. 

Caleb Fellows (Unique Charter Pilot) Recommends – Josef Chromy 2021 Pepik Pinot Noir

“This is the wine I'd choose as a gift for my mum, Kellie. She loves picking seasonal berries during the warmer months and this bottle has the perfect amount of sweet berry notes while still being a classic Pinot that can be enjoyed with a great steak. Hopefully she’ll share a glass with me or I might just have to buy two! haha.”

Image credit: Osborne Images

Spring into life Festivals and Events

Several wine-related events, festivals, and tastings take place in Tasmania during the month of November. The picturesque Ghost Rock Vinyard hosts special events such as the Concert in the Vines, to give visitors the opportunity to engage with their winemakers and learn more about the art of winemaking all the while listening to local artists play some tunes! These events contribute to a lively atmosphere amongst the vines, all you have to do is kick back, sip wine and take in the spectacular view of Bass Strait.

Brady Glover (Unique Charters Head of Maintenance) Recommends – Ghost Rock 2023 Supernatural Pet Nat

“Pet Nat is what all the cool kids are drinking and Ghost Rock makes an incredible one. It’s like a refreshing alcoholic Kombucha with a twist! Claudia (my partner) and I will quickly make our way through a bottle of this with friends. Often we pair it with a cheeky takeaway meal as it goes down a treat with any type of street food like fried chicken, noodles or even your classic local fish and chips!”

Image credit: Kelly Slater