Boozy Tours & Tastings To Make The Most Of Your Dark Mofo Itinerary
Dark Mofo draws people south for its unique provocations - immersive art, cathartic rituals, and decadent edible delights. But Hobart and its surrounds hold their own (year-round) provocation: some of the most interesting beverage producers in the country within striking distance of the CBD, and a growing roster of guided experiences that go well beyond the tasting paddle. While you build your Dark Mofo itinerary, we’ve done the legwork on how to drink your way around it.
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LARK Distillery, Pontville (image: LARK Distilling Co.)
LARK DISTILLERY, PONTVILLE
Tasmania’s own Godfather of Whisky, Bill Lark and his wife Lyn successfully overturned the island’s more than 150-years long ban on distilling, establishing LARK Distillery as Tassie’s first single malt distillery in 1992. Today, the Pontville distillery is the most immersive way to engage with that legacy, serving as centre stage for LARK’s production process, just 30 minutes north of Hobart. Take the daily 45-minute Production and Site Tour (12pm and 2pm, $69pp) to follow the path of LARK whisky from grain to glass, and - of course - sample three drams along the way.
If you’d rather stay central, LARK operates two city touch points. The recently refurbished Cellar Door on Davey Street is the site of the original distillery and bond store, and offers the complete LARK whisky range through a daily guided tasting (1pm, $149pp), as well as a blending experience (3pm, $599pp) that sends you home with a bespoke bottle of your own whisky. Meanwhile, just around the corner, GOTHAM at The Still is LARK’s flagship cocktail bar, and the ticket to distilling your own spirit - the daily masterclass (2pm, $119pp) culminates in a bottle of tailored-to-you gin.
Gin Blending Experience at GOTHAM at The Still (image: LARK Distilling Co.)
GLAETZER-DIXON FAMILY WINEMAKERS
The Glaetzer name has long been synonymous with South Australian shiraz, and - since Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy winner Nick Glaetzer moved to the little island in 2005 - it’s doing a fine job of associating itself with Tasmanian riesling, pinot noir and shiraz, too. Though Glaetzer-Dixon Family Winemakers sources its grapes from the Coal River, Upper Derwent and Tamar Valleys, city slickers are the lucky beneficiaries of Nick and wife Sally’s decision to turn an old Hobart ice factory into the label’s urban winery and tasting room.
A 45-minute guided wine tasting (daily by appointment, various times, $25pp) gets award-winning wine in front of you, and you in front of Nick himself. Named one of the world’s top 50 wine and spirit professionals by London’s International Wine & Spirits Competition and the WSET Trust, this is as close as you’ll get to wine royalty without leaving the big smoke.
CASCADE BREWERY
Founded in 1832 against the backdrop of Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, Cascade Brewery is worth the short cab ride from the waterfront for that dramatic view alone. Better still, though, take the daily 1-hour Brewery Tour (various times, $38pp) to get behind the vats of Australia’s oldest continually operating brewery, following the longstanding ‘Cassie’ recipe from start to finish, and washing all of your newfound knowledge down with a four-beer tasting paddle in the lush Brewery Bar.
Side note: Hobart’s contemporary craft beer scene has grown considerably around and alongside its more mature counterparts. Within a walkable radius of the CBD, you’ll find Hobart Brewing Co., Manky Sally’s, Shambles Brewery, and T-Bone Brewing Co., just to name a handful. Often with pub menus and live music to boot, a beer-drinking walkabout is as doable as it is responsible.
Cascade Brewery (image: Luke O'Brien Photography)
CALLINGTON MILL DISTILLERY WHISKY LOUNGE & DINING ROOM
If your Dark Mofo itinerary allows it, take the drive out to the charming town of Oatlands (just over an hour north of Hobart), where - amongst antiques stores, galleries, and epic scones - you’ll find Callington Mill’s distillery and cellar door. If, however, your itinerary is packed too full with city-based Mofo moments, you can still do the Callington Mill thing at its whisky lounge and dining room in MACq 01 Hotel’s waterfront complex.
For total immersion, book The Serendipity Experience (Wednesday-Sunday, various times, $295pp). Guided by a tasting expert, you’ll explore five premium cask strength whiskies to discover your preferred notes - and head home with a 700ml bottle tailored to your signature taste.
COAL RIVER VALLEY CELLAR DOORS
Southern Tassie’s Coal River Valley wine region produces some of the state’s most consistently delicious cool climate wines, and its plethora of cellar door experiences represents an open invitation to make a day of it. Amongst other operators, Ageing Barrel Tours’ full-day tour (Fridays and Sundays, 9:30am, $225pp) is a local favourite for its boujee ride via Mercedes mini-bus, lively commentary, and rotating selection of four vineyard visits from a list of greatest hits.
If someone in your party is prepared to drink wise, a self-guided trip should aim not to miss the total plate artistry of Frogmore Creek’s lunch menu, wood-fired pizzas at Pooley Wines, the Bordeaux Tasting & Pantry Experience at Domaine A, and arguably Tasmania’s most iconic riesling at Pressing Matters.
The Coal River Valley’s cellar doors all share a certain spirit - exceptional wines, stunning settings, and Tasmanian people pouring the stuff they love - so, cross our picks off your bingo card or just follow your nose. The valley will do the rest.
