North East – click to enlarge

North East – click to enlarge

The North East wine region is one of Tasmania’s seven unofficial wine regions. The Pipers River region is one of the most celebrated wine areas, known for its cool-climate wines, especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The region is about 30 km from Launceston and centred around the Pipers River. It is close to famous wine tourism destinations like The Tamar Valley, offering visitors easy access to both regions.

The region has a cool maritime climate, heavily influenced by proximity to the sea and Bass Strait. The growing season is marked by mild, long summer days and cool, crisp nights, ideal for cool-climate varieties. The region has moderate annual rainfall with drier, sunnier conditions than the West of Tasmania.

This cool climate slows down ripening, helping retain high acidity in the wines and fostering complex aromas. Coastal sea breezes moderate temperatures, reducing heat stress on vines during summer. The day-night temperature variation allows for slow and even ripening, especially for varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

While wine was first introduced to Tasmania in the early 19th century, the Pipers River area began to see modern wine production in the late 20th century. The region began to gain recognition in the 1980s, with wineries like Jansz Tasmania (founded in 1986) leading the charge for high-quality sparkling wines. Bay of Fires and Dalrymple Vineyards also emerged as key producers. Today, the region is a prominent part of Tasmania’s wine identity, especially for premium sparkling and cool-climate still wines.

The Pipers River wine region is renowned for its cool climate, and the top varietals grown here reflect this unique terroir, producing wines with elegance, complexity, and fresh acidity.

Pinot Noir thrives in the cool, maritime climate of Pipers River, producing aromatic, delicate, and nuanced wines. Flavours of fresh red berries like cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often with hints of spice, earth, and floral notes. Wines are generally medium-bodied with fine tannins and vibrant acidity, making them versatile wines that can age gracefully. The cool temperatures and long ripening season help develop the depth and complexity typical of this noble variety, producing elegant wines with subtlety and finesse.

Chardonnay from Pipers River is known for its balance between fresh fruit and acidity. The area produces wines that range from crisp and citrus-driven to richer, more complex styles. Flavours of citrus fruits (lemon, lime), green apple, and stone fruit (peach, nectarine), often with mineral notes and a touch of oak in more complex styles. Examples range from crisp, unoaked wines to richer, barrel-fermented expressions, both with excellent ageing potential.

Local Pinot Gris is typically fresh, aromatic, and lively, with a crisp texture and a gentle richness. Its flavours include pear, apple, and citrus zest, with floral notes like honeysuckle and sometimes a hint of spice or almond. It is medium-bodied, with a smooth texture and balanced acidity, sometimes with a slightly off-dry or rounded finish. The cool climate enhances its fresh acidity and allows the delicate fruit and floral aromas to shine, creating an appealing, refreshing, and food-friendly wine.

Riesling from Pipers River is known for its pure, bright fruit flavours and vibrant acidity, often with an intense aromatic profile. It has lime, lemon and green apple flavours, with floral notes like jasmine and a hint of minerality. Dry to off-dry styles are common and some Rieslings from the region can develop complex honeyed notes with age.

You can’t talk about Pipers River without talking about its high-quality Sparkling wines, particularly those made using the méthode traditionnelle and produced from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. With bready, yeasty notes from extended lees ageing, these wines also exhibit crisp apple, lemon, and subtle berry flavours. Styles range from fresh and lively to more complex, with fine bubbles and a creamy texture.

Source:  www.wineaustralia.com,