Drink Derwent Valley - such a delicious little squeeze

The Derwent Valley in Tasmania officially starts at the Granton roundabout, by the kidney’s of the Derwent River, and before you know it a trio of vineyards and cellar doors welcome the connoisseur of craft drinks to an Australian workhorse of natural beauty and human endeavor.

Derwent Estate Winery and Stefano Lubiana Wines have gorgeous cellar doors overlooking the River, ready to welcome you in any season and showcase their award wining cool climate wines. An hour spent at either of these is charming wineries is very relaxing and so rewarding. Broadview Vineyards is snuggled into the hills in this area as well, with no cellar door, tastings by appointment only or a pitch perfect on the Open Vineyards Weekend in March and October each year.

New Norfolk is the heartbeat of The Valley of Love, and in the 2020’s it is gaining a reputation for hand crafted works from local ingredients and bringing heritage alive. It even won Bronze in the Australian Top Tourism Town 2021 category after being voted as Tasmania’s top town for the year - a brilliant achievement.

Lunch at The Bush Inn, New Norfolk

From the old to the new: The Bush Inn, is one of Australia’s oldest Pubs and is believed to be the countries oldest continuously licensed pub (1825). New Norfolk Distillery is a contemporary Distillery with a vision to reinvigorate and nurture Australia’s rich history with and love of Rum - it does pre-date beer! They are also the energetic crew behind the Fresh Hop Beer Festival held in New Norfolk in April each year, just after the Hops have been harvested up the road at Bushy Park (producing 70% of Australia’s Hops,) dried and infused into new beer for the freshest of fresh. The 11th Order Brewery and Welcome Swallow Brewery are both producing brilliant beer and ales from their micro-breweries in town, very popular with the locals. Tastings at these three super cool “fun-labs”, meeting the Makers, and a beer on the deck are all a premier way to enjoy local talent and tasty, smooth, “damn that is good” drink that can match it with the best of them.

Plenty Cidery in Plenty, just near the Salmon Ponds and opened in late 2021, is the next step for Alex and Grace who have been producing their cider for market for a couple of years now. Fruit from the orchard travels less than 500 m to the Cidery where you can taste apple mixed with local berries and grapes for delicious ciders that are being discovered further and further afield.

Not easy to get to, but for true Wino’s, one of Australia’s finest cool climate winemakers - taste here right at the source

Meadowbank Winery is high in the Derwent Valley, hidden at the end of a winding dirt road and produces Wines from vines that have consistently produced quality grapes for over 30 years now, true “homegrown greatness.” A private cellar door in the shed by the tractor, if you value your wine above all else then a visit and tasting can be arranged through us.

world class “paddock to bottle” whisky made right here in the Derwent Valley

In the upper reaches of the Derwent Valley, just before it gives way to the Western Wilds and on the downside of the Central Highlands Plateau, Lawrenny Distillery has just bottled its first release of Estate Whisky , and sold out of Ascension already. The Bond store has barrels of varying sizes with releases planned over the next 18 years. Vodka and Gin using likewise Estate sourced ingredients - a globally very rare Paddock to Bottle process that is a delight to experience first hand and taste in the barn by the Stills, whilst admiring the beautiful gardens and maybe even feeding the ducks.

Ashley and Jane are doing something quite special down the dirt road and by the holding yard - let’s go and pay them a visit.

Heading back down the other side of the Derwent River there is a true Farm Bar, the wild and funky Two Metre Tall Farmhouse Ale and Cider, situated at the end of another dirt road, set back a little ways from the river. Locals love this place and what comes out of the shed magicked up by Ashley and Jane is sold to connoisseurs all around the world. Meet the Makers in the shed that pours delicious and arresting tastings with frothy tales of trial and error. A wood fire BBQ under the gum trees is also where we stop for some tucker, included in your ticket.

Robbie and Emma have some stories to share and some damn fine whisky as well

Past New Norfolk, looking back across the river and the golden hills towards Hobart is the newest of the Valleys treasure’s, The Derwent Distilling Co’s brand new distilling site with tasting deck to drink in the million dollar views along with the labour of love. Robbie and Emma have taken the name from one of the first legalised Distilleries in Tasmania, and focus on both the old and new, true to plan and vision they have been laying down a rare and unique selection of one off casks since 2016.

Our Drink Derwent Valley Tours are an ideal way to experience a diverse range of craft drinks all made by hard working families and locals, passionate about the whole process from soil and energy to science and story. We connect you as close as is possible to the ingredients, to the source, and it all unfolds in a gentle and delicious meander along the Derwent River in Hobart’s backyard.

Private tours are our specialty and only require a minimum of 4 people. We can then tailor the visits according to your preferences (and opening times/availability.) We do cover up to a good 170 km, it is a beautiful country drive fit for a King and Queen, not too long, nor too short, surrounded by peace and green, charm and calm.

Generally we are looking at a 10 am start and return by 5 pm, with custom pick up and drop offs.

Call Sam on 041 2227111 to book your group’s special day together.

Enjoying our Drink Derwent Valley Tour and the beautiful Lawrenny Distillery