The Auswine Forum

Hi all,

I was hoping you would be able to offer me suggestions about your favourite cellar doors and restaurants in the tamar valley and launceston.

My partner and I will be there for 2 days and are hoping to go to a restaurant with a focus on local produce (truffles, cheese etc) as well as a couple of wineries in the valley.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! Cheers,

Tim

Fee & Me and Stillwater are the standout dining options, with MUD an acceptable bistro alternative.
I like Holm Oak in the west Tamar. In the east, the Bay of Fires wines are good. There are also some respected makers there whom I've not visited yet: Delamere, Providence. Pipers Brook has a big and competant range, but are expensive.
I boycott Gunns-associated wineries, of which there are a fair number, for moral, environmental, political, well, lots of reasons...

You might search the site here for other recent posts - this Tamar question pops up quite a bit.
cheers,
Graeme

I've only ever heard people rave about Fee and me so I expect it is very good.

I had a lovely lunch at Iron Pot Bay.

You'll need to contactthem via email to book it it though.

Cheers
sarah

Stillwater restaurant is very good. If you are after a pub meal during the touring try the Pier Hotel in George Town. Kinda out of Launceston the other way, pass Deloraine towards Devonport is Elizabeth Town Bakery Cafe. Its brilliant.

Standout wineries were Bay of Fires (big guy) and Brook Eden (little guy).

Definitely try Stillwater for good local produce.
Wineries in the Tamar Valley that are must sees, in my opinion are:
Eastern Tamar:
Brook Eden (they also make good Olive Oil)
Jansz ( for their LD and vintage rose)
Bay of Fires (Arras and Chardonnay)
Delamere (BdB and Pinot)

on the western Tamar:
Stoney Rise (Chardonnay)
and if you have not yet jumped on the anti Gunns bandwagon yet, check out Pirie and Tamar Ridge. Andrew Pirie's Sigma and Estate Pinots I reckon are amazing. Also Tamar Ridge has some cool little research wines that are also very good. (Viognier and Albarino)

When in Launceston go to the Pinot Shop down by the Mill and chat with the female proprieter there who knows a fair bit about the Tamar.

thanks all,

we had a fantastic weekend stuffed full of great local food and wine... perfect!

ciao
tim