Twenty minutes north of Launceston, on a bend of the Tamar River that’s been spotlighting God-tier sunsets for tourists for years, something’s changed. Tamar Ridge and Pirie – two of Tasmania’s most decorated cool-climate wine names – have just thrown open the doors to a completely reimagined cellar door. And this one is not messing around.
Think: double-sided fireplace, a 12-seat handcrafted Tasmanian oak table you’ll want to steal for your own dining room, Spiegelau crystal glassware that makes even a $20 tasting flight feel like an occasion, and views across the Tamar Valley that will absolutely end up as your next profile picture. Local builder Zanetto, pulled the whole thing together in just eight weeks, which honestly feels like a too-many-wines-sort-of spinout given how cool every inch of the space is.
The Vibe
This isn’t a “grab a tasting paddle and shuffle along” kind of cellar door. It’s the sit-down, slow-down, let-the-afternoon-disappear situation. The design tucks lounge spaces into corners overlooking the vines, pairs them with a fireplace worth lingering beside even in the height of summer, and draws on a distinctly Tasmanian language of timber, light and water views without tipping into cliche.
What’s Actually in the Glass
Between the two labels, there are 15 wines on the tasting list, spanning everything from easy, approachable pours to the kind of bottles you save for a very good Tuesday. A few things worth knowing before you book:
The everyday-elevated option: Guided tasting experiences kick off from $20pp – genuinely one of the more accessible ways to properly get across a cool-climate Tasmanian range in one sitting.
The one for Pinot obsessives: The Ultimate Expressions of Pinot Noir ($49pp) lines up five of Tamar Ridge’s most distinguished Pinots side by side, including pours from its ultra-limited Single Block releases. If you’ve ever wanted to actually taste the difference site makes, this is the flight to do it in.
The one you screenshot and send to the group chat: The Pirie Supreme Indulgence Experience ($99pp) pairs prestige Methode Traditionnelle sparkling with Oscietra sturgeon caviar. It’s the kind of pairing that sounds like it belongs in Provence, not a 20-minute drive from Launceston. But, here we are.
Round it all out with a seasonal Tasmanian cheese platter or a few locally sourced small plates, and you’ve got a genuinely full afternoon rather than a quick pit stop on the way somewhere else.
Why It’s Worth the Drive
Tasmania’s cool-climate wine region has been having a moment for a while now, and this cellar door feels like proof the industry knows it. It’s not just about what’s poured – it’s a full sensory pitch for why the Tamar Valley deserves a proper stop on your itinerary, not just a drive-by on the way to Beaconsfield or Beauty Point.
There’s also something refreshing about a space that’s clearly been designed for people to actually stay in. No rush, no queue for the next tasting slot – just a fireplace, a river view, and a glass of something very good. Whether that’s a Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir by the fire or a flute of Pirie Vintage sparkling looking out over the valley, the whole thing is built around the idea of slowing right down.
The Ripe in Town Verdict
If your idea of a good regional day trip involves excellent wine, a fireplace worth photographing, and views that make you reconsider your life choices in the best way – this one’s going straight on the list. Pair it with a night in Launceston, or make a full loop of the Tamar Valley’s cellar doors, but don’t skip this stop. It’s not just a place to taste wine; it’s a place to actually sit with it for a while.
Book ahead for the Supreme Indulgence Experience especially. Caviar and Tasmanian bubbles by a river don’t stay a secret for long.
The Details
Where: 1A Waldhorn Drive, Rosevears TAS 7277 – about 20 minutes north of Launceston
When: Open daily, 10am–5pm
Tastings: From $20pp, with premium experiences up to $99pp
Bookings: Via www.tamarridge.com.au and www.pirie.com.au
