New wine experiences headline a festival in southern Tasmania

Spring into the warmer months with a new wine festival in southern Tasmania. 

More than 35 vineyards in the south of the Apple Isle will open their doors to the public during the last weekend of October for a new wine festival celebrating the promise of a new vintage. 

Spring in the Vines aims to offer the chance to sample the very best the region's cool-climate producers have to offer. 

Kicking off with a launch party at The Lounge by Frogmore Creek on Thursday, October 28, Spring in the Vines heralds the beginning of a new vintage for Tasmanian wine producers. 

From Friday, October 29 to Sunday, October 31 wine producers will offer tastings, food and entertainment throughout the Coal River Valley, Huon Valley, d’Entrecasteaux Channel and Derwent Valley. 

Wine lovers from Tasmania and visitors from interstate will have an unparalleled opportunity to sample exceptional wines which can be hard to find or available only in limited quantities.

Many of the participating wineries will be offering attendees the first opportunity to sample fresh, aromatic white wines and rosès from the outstanding 2021 vintage and will be opening special bottles from their cellars.

New wineries, vineyards and cellar doors are also part of the attraction with brothers Jonny and Matt Hughes of Mewstone at Flowerpot (above) opening their architecturally designed cellar door to the public for the first time especially for the festival. 

“We’re excited to finally get the cellar door open and show people what we’ve created," says Jonny Hughes. "It’s been a long time in the making and we’re looking forward to getting lots of Tasmanians and other visitors along to enjoy what we’ve created for this fun weekend. 

"We’re offering free tastings just for Spring in the Vines, where normally our cellar door will operate as pre-booked paid premium tasting experience.” 

Hosted by Wine South Tasmania, Spring in the Vines festival is an inaugural annual event created by southern Tasmanian wine producers with a mission to connect winemakers and vignerons with lovers of fine wine. 

Wine South Tasmania president Keira O’Brien said: “Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year in our vineyards, as new green shoots emerge, and wine producers catch their breath before the busy growing season. 

"As Tasmanian wine continues to garner widespread critical acclaim, this is an exciting opportunity to meet the producers, some of whom only open their doors a few times a year. 

"The exceptional quality of the 2021 vintage means there are some amazing wines being released, many available for the first time during the festival.”

Full details of the festival are available at www.springinthevines.com.au.