Take The East Coast Tasmanian Wine Trail
By Josie Rozenberg-Clarke
The best cellar doors on Lutruwita/Tasmania’s beautiful east coast combine world-class wine with (arguably) even better views. Tour historic properties, sip award-winning drops, and pat vineyard dogs as you make your way up the Tasman Highway from Little Swanport to Apslawn on this iconically scenic wine route.
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SPRING VALE VINEYARD
Rodney and Lyn Lyne first planted Spring Vale’s grapes in 1986, but the sprawling Cranbrook property has been in the Lyne family since 1875 – with the cellar door housed in the original convict-built stables. Visit to try the vineyard’s well-loved wines (we vote for the Chardonnay!), pat the vineyard dog Maggie, and grab a bite at a visiting food van.
Monday-Sunday, 11am-4pm
130 Spring Vale Road, Cranbrook
MAYFIELD ESTATE
With stunning panoramic views north to Dolphin Sands and south to Maria Island, Mayfield’s cellar door is already a tempting spot to check out – but when you add woodfired pizzas to the equation, it becomes a must-visit. On weekends, the pizza oven gets going for hungry visitors, and if you’re thirsty, the vineyard’s renowned cool climate wines should keep you satisfied.
Friday-Monday, 11am-5pm
Mayfield Jetty Road, Little Swanport
Mayfield Estate (image: Tourism Australia)
CRAIGIE KNOWE VINEYARD
Wine lovers with a sweet tooth should make a beeline for Craigie Knowe, with the family-run vineyard offering a unique wine and chocolate pairing experience that matches Craigie Knowe drops with locally-produced Lakker chocolates. If you’re after a more substantial bit of tucker, on-site restaurant Flora’s is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch.
Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm
80 Glen Gala Road, Cranbrook
Craigie Knowe Vineyard (image: Tourism Australia)
DEVIL’S CORNER CELLAR DOOR
One of Tasmania’s best-known vineyards - particularly on the mainland where its wines are widely available in bottleshops - this cellar door is a popular stop near Freycinet National Park. You can’t miss Devil’s Corner’s towering edifice on approach, and the vineyard boasts views across the Freycinet Peninsula that are equally as dramatic. If it’s too blustery to perch outside, get cosy in the Devil’s Den with a glass of Pinot and a woodfired pizza.
Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm
1 Sherbourne Road, Apslawn
Devil’s Corner Cellar Door (image: Lusy Productions)
GALA ESATE VINEYARD
The second-oldest family owned business in Australia, Gala Estate began as a farm run by Scottish brothers John and Adam Amos in the early 19th century. The property was still running sheep in 2007 when drought forced the seventh generation of the family to diversify and plant grapevines. Now, the estate is home to a small but mighty, award-winning, Halliday five-star winery. If you want to visit, bookings are essential but completely worth it to try the vineyard’s wine, including its much-lauded Constable Amos Pinot Noir.
Monday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
14891 Tasman Highway, Cranbrook
FREYCINET VINEYARD
Freycinet Vineyard has been in operation since 1979, making it the elder statesman of East Coast wineries. Clearly, these winemakers know what they’re doing, with the vineyard receiving five stars from Halliday’s Wine Companion for 10 years running. The cellar door has views over the vines, guided tastings and local cheese boards to nibble on. Make sure you try one of the award-winning drops, like the 2023 Riesling.
Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm
15919 Tasman Highway, Apslawn
MILTON VINEYARD
Milton Vineyard’s cellar door is perched on a small lake on the property, and is almost ridiculously peaceful and picturesque. Sip on some of the vineyard’s renowned Pinot Noir or Syrah, and bring an appetite – the winery’s cellar door restaurant (open Friday to Monday) makes the most of the garden and nearby producers for its tempting menu full of local seafood, meats and cheeses.
Monday-Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm
14635 Tasman Highway, Swansea
Milton Vineyard (image: Tourism Australia)
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