ACTIVITIES GARDNERS BAY

True to name, this hillside vineyard looks across the Huon River to the Hartz mountains. In the chapel-like tasting room you can sample not only owners Robert and Anthea Pattersons wines but those from 10 other Tasmanian vineyards. Bearing the Hartzview label are wines made from riesling, chardonnay (wooded and unwooded), sauvignon blanc, semillon, pinot gris, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon grapes, including a sparkling pinot noir made methode champenoise. There also are fruit ports, liqueurs and mead. Tastings, door sales and cheese platters are available. The 3 hectare vineyard was established in 1988 on the site of an old gooseberry farm. If you cant get enough of the panoramic view, accommodation is available in a colonial-style homestead.

The Hartzview Vineyard Heritage listed Pickers Hut Village is at Gardners Bay, in Tasmania’s South.

Take a stroll into history as you enjoy a self-guided discovery walk of the seven different restored small fruit pickers huts that families lived in during the picking season. Les and Lillian Polley established the fruit farm in the 1920’s. During World War two, some of these huts were home to Italian prisoners of war, who replaced agricultural workers serving overseas.

You can also visit the cellar door which is open every day and taste from the estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Chardonnays and the large range of preservative free fruit Ports, Liqueurs (Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Cherry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Tasmanian Cassis) and Mead.

The Vineyard Cafe is also open every day from 1000 to 1700 and serves all day lunches specialising in vineyard and cheese platters. Treat yourself to a delicious Hartzview dessert made especially with one of their fruit Ports or Liqueurs.

At the end of the day, unwind and stay a while to experience true luxury in Hartzview Vineyard’s self-contained spa homestead, relaxing in front of the log fire with a platter and glass of Hartzview Pinot Noir.

Gardner’s bay is a 45 minute drive (46 kilometres / 28 miles) South of Hobart.