The Complete Huon Valley Wine Region Guide

How to get to the Huon Valley wine region

The Huon Valley wine region is just a short drive southwest of Hobart. From Hobart CBD or Waterfront, it’s only a 35-minute drive to Huonville along the A6, following the Southern Outlet south out of town, then turning right onto the Huon Highway just before Kingston. Several of the wineries listed below are in the area immediately around Huonville, while the farthest away are only a 10-15 minute drive further south, towards Franklin and Castle Forbes Bay.

Huon Valley Wine Varietals

The Huon Valley has traditionally been the hub of apple production in Tasmania – that’s no small claim for an island that is known as ‘The Apple Isle’, either – and the region’s particular terroir and climate, have proved well suited to a transition towards traditional cool-climate wine growing.

Like most of Tasmanian, Chardonnay, Riesling and, especially, Pinot Noir varietals do very well. There is also plenty of Rosé and Sparkling wine production. As the Huon Valley is further south than any other major wine region in Australia, there are a few additional varietals that tend to pop up here, that are not common elsewhere in Tasmania: perhaps best known of these is Sylvander, typically a German or Alsatian variety not often seen alongside more classic Bordeaux-style wines around the state.

There are also a few pockets of quality Shiraz production, on a smaller scale, as well as Pinot Gris.

The Best Huon Valley Wineries and Cellar Doors to visit 

Home Hill Winery 38 Nairn Road, Ranelagh

Cellar Door: 10am-5pm, 7 days; Restaurant: 10am-5pm, Thu-Mon

There’s no doubt that Home Hill is best known in the Huon Valley, and far beyond, for its superb wines – Pinot Noir above all. Still, the award-winning, fine-dining restaurant on site attracts serious food lovers as much as the picturesque vineyard, overlooking the mountains and situated among six hectares of vines, attracts serious wine lovers. The Kelly’s Reserve Pinot Noir has, over the years, won about as many national wine awards as any single wine in Australia, and it goes without saying that Pinot lovers will want to make a beeline for Home Hill if they’re anywhere near the area. Still, it’s not only about the reds, with a strong selection of whites including a well-rounded, unwooded Chardonnay, the distinctive Home Hill Sylvaner, and a surprisingly complex, late-season Kelly’s Reserve Dessert wine. 

Kate Hill Wines 21 Dowlings Road, Huonville

Cellar Door: 11am-4pm, Wed-Sun

Formerly a winery that sourced grapes from other vineyards around southern Tasmania, since 2020 Kate Hill Wines have been able to harvest and produce vintages from their own vines. And the early returns have been impressive. Shiraz, in particular, has done surprisingly well (by Tasmanian standards), having been planted on a shallower, warmer section of the vineyard. It’s a good go-to for any red wine lovers visiting Tasmania, especially in winter. You can also taste Kate Hill’s Riesling, Chardonnay, Sparkling, Rosé and Pinot Noir releases at their intimate, cottage Cellar Door (a stylish 1880s heritage-listed building). There’s plenty of room for kids to run around (or even fly a kite!), and great views towards the Hartz Mountains National Park.

Heriots Point Vineyard 3883 Huon Highway, Castle Forbes Bay

Cellar Door: Open vineyard weekends, or by appointment

Nestled into the foothills of the Wellington Ranges on the western banks of the Huon River, Heriots Point excel at producing fully flavoured, dark-fruit forward, deep ruby-red Pinot Noir. Since 2020, they have also put out a delicious Pinot Noir Sparkling, in addition to a number of both typical and less typical white wines (including an impressive low-alcohol wine, from  Chardonnay-Sylvaner blend). The setting is gorgeous, with sweeping views up and down the valley from Heriots Point’s prime waterfront location. There’s even a regular ferry service and river cruise that departs right from the Heriots Point dock, which you can combine with a pre-departure wine tasting at the Boat Shed Cellar Door (by appointment). 

Elsewhere Vineyard 584 Silver Hill Road, Glaziers Bay

Cellar Door: 10am-5pm, Fri-Sun (appointment or drop-in possible at other times)

Thankfully, this once-renowned winery was given new life in 2015 after declining steadily over the previous decade. The old, deep-rooted, established vines have been joined by younger plantings and integrated into a broader, sustainability-minded farm system that includes animals, trees, and other plantings. There’s a lot of energy and enthusiasm about Elsewhere now, and the predominantly Pinot Noir vintages are being supplemented by more experimental pressings of new varieties and older plantings, like Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and a few unknown Muscat varieties. The Cellar Door, an old farmshed with sweeping views over the farmland and mountains, is a lovely spot, and it has a casual atmosphere where you can often chat directly with the winemakers. 

Where to stay when visiting the Huon Valley wine region

• Huonville: Perched on the banks of the river, the Huon Valley’s biggest town is a hub of activity surrounded by apple orchards, farmlands, and inspiring mountain views – none more so than the iconic “Sleeping Beauty”, drooped over the town. Stroll the town’s pretty Esplanade, take a river cruise, or drop into one of many riverside cafes and bars.
   
• Ranelagh: An otherwise sleepy town in the heart of the Huon, Ranelagh has become a destination for visiting foodies in recent years thanks to the renovation of its old General Store into an outstanding gourmet takeaway food outlet. It also hosts two major Huon Valley annual events: the Huon Show and Taste of Huon.
   
• Franklin: Huon’s oldest town, Franklin developed as a timber-milling centre in the 19th century and has many living relics to the period. These include St John’s Church (Australia’s southernmost Anglican church), the fabulous Palais Theatre, Ye Olde (1850s) Franklin Tavern, and the traditional Wooden Boat Centre.
   
• At the Winery: Why not combine wine tasting and accommodation in one package (and avoid having to select a dedicated sober driver) by staying on site at one of the Huon Valley wineries that offer overnight accommodation? Two wineries listed above have fabulous accommodation options: Heriots Point Vineyard has a fabulous riverside timber cabin, while Home Hill Winery offers accommodation in a beautifully restored 1920s cottage.   

What else is there to see and do in the Huon Valley wine region?

Cider 

Before wine, the Huon Valley was much, much better known for cider – and the region still produces over 80% of Tasmania’s total apple crop! Visit Pagan Cider Cellar Door or Willie Smith’s Apple Shed to get a taste of what all the fuss is about, straight from the barrel.

Tahune Air Walk

According to Huon Valley locals, this part of Tasmania has “the tallest trees in the world”. By far the best way to get a view over them – and to test any fear of heights – is by visiting this fantastic raised steel walkway, which gets you up close and personal to giant eucalyptus and other native trees. It peaks at a viewpoint 50 m above the forest floor! 

Hike to South Cape Bay

Venture to Australia’s southernmost accessible point for breathtaking views over the Southern Ocean from the clifftop. The South Cape Bay track is a 4-hour (10-mile) return walk through bush and woodland from the Cockle Creek car park, which marks the furthest point south to which you can drive in Australia. The “End of the Road”, some might say.

Hastings Caves Reserve

Enjoy natural thermal hot springs and a fascinating maze of dolomite caves in this wonderful nature reserve. Among these is Australia’s largest accessible dolomite cave – the cathedral-like Newdegate Cave – which you can visit by tour through a labyrinth of well-lit underground tunnels and chambers. There are also great walking trails and picnic spots above ground.

Ready to start planning your trip to Tasmania?

For any other information about visiting Tasmania, or planning your Huon Valley wine tour, visit First Light Travel’s Tasmania blog for a wide range of posts covering everything you need to know before you go. Or, reach out to FLT’s travel-planning team for any advice, help, inquiries or tips you may have about planning your perfect Tasmanian itinerary.