Hobart Wine tasting/Craft beer/Whiskey/Cider/Gin tour [Aug 18/19 2018]

[Steady]

Thanks for organising today’s event @Tassieoptom - I really enjoyed my day. Thanks to all attendees for the good company

 

[VPS]

Colour me jealous. Sorry I couldn't make it

 

[Tassieoptom]

Nick’s outstanding wine tasting.


The fantabulous Society Bar.


A uniquely Tasmanian gin flight


The motley crew at dinner


Pork Hock at Frogmore


Desert at Frogmore was a ToyChest.


My Favourites


the still use by Sullivan’s Cove

Colour me jealous. Sorry I couldn't make it

Always next year VPS.

The consensus was to do another one next year, with more advance warning.

Some of the venues were absolutely outstanding, more in keeping perhaps with a winery in France than Australia. Getting to speak to the actual winemaker, Nick Glaetzer, who was worked at such places as Leeuwin Estate, Wolf Blass, Lindeman’s, Rosemount, Evans & Tate, was a real treat. His current release certainly demonstrates what he learned in France at Domain de la Ferrrandière in the Languedoc and Domain Albert Morot in Burgundy, as well as Germany with Weingut Egon Müller. The standout wine was his überblanc riesling which was like nothing I have tasted, his Reveur Pinot Noir was also outstanding with great complexity, and the Mon Pere Shiraz 2016 will rival the 2010 that won the 50th Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy.

There was a sommelier par excellence at the Gasworks Cellar Door, with perhaps the largest collection of Tasmanian wines I have seen in one collection, there were 16 wines available for tasting, 8 white, 8 red and these continually rotate with new wines replacing any empty bottle.

The Sullivan’s Cove tour and tasting was interesting, informative, interactive and entertaining, but perhaps less enjoyable than Nick’s cellar. The view at Coal Valley Vineyard was stunning, however lunch was unfortunately not too outstanding, my sincere apologies for this, at least they did not charge for the 2 meals that were effectively inedible, and the wines were forgettable, so we will not be back again.

Pooley wines were a ‘must visit’ request from Steady, and he certainly got what he wanted. They are passionate and knowledgeable about their soil, wine and history, with generous tastings.

I think Society Bar was a fine way to end the tour, Rooflyer got his Gin tasting, as did many of us. Comfortable leather couches had been reserved and the drinks list was extensive, but not in the wine department, sorry Delectable Blue, so I think it will be a fine way to end the next tour too.

So I believe we can do the next tour with some modifications to make it even better. Thanks to all the attendees for coming, and their words of wisdom. Having a moderator travel down for dinner was also a lovely surprise, and I believe the Lounge by Frogmore Creek was an experience to remember. So dinner to end the day will definitely be on the agenda next year.

 

[Delectable Blue]

Thanks everybody for a great day. It was terrific to meet a few more AFF's and spread the joy of Tassie food and drink. Thanks Tassieoptom for your tireless organisation skills in bringing the day together. I'd definitely do it again.

I need the cauliflower story

Deep fry cauliflower. What could possibly go wrong?

What could possibly go wrong? Apparently everything. The cauliflower was poorly cooked and came out resembling a brown greasy mess. The flavours on the plate were totally unbalanced. When combined with the unrelenting grease this made the dish essentially inedible. It was probably the second worst restaurant meal I have ever been served. Not recommended.

 

[ALH]

Thanks everybody for a great day. It was terrific to meet a few more AFF's and spread the joy of Tassie food and drink. Thanks Tassieoptom for your tireless organisation skills in bringing the day together. I'd definitely do it again.

What could possibly go wrong? Apparently everything. The cauliflower was poorly cooked and came out resembling a brown greasy mess. The flavours on the plate were totally unbalanced. When combined with the unrelenting grease this made the dish essentially inedible. It was probably the second worst restaurant meal I have ever been served. Not recommended.

What a bummer. I love cauliflower.....as long as it’s next to a slab of rare steak!

We’re really looking forward to the next Tassie adventure. Had to say no this time, with family turning up from Overseas.

 

[Buzzard]

Sounds like you all had a great time.
Hopefully I can make it next time.
Some fabulous photos posted.

 

[Delectable Blue]

Hopefully I can make it next time.

Yes, we missed you Buzz. Hope to see you next time!

 

[straitman]

Thanks from me also for the dinner which was great.

Nice to also meet a few new people and put some old(er) faces to names.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks to Tassieoptom on an excellent tour of Hobart and surrounds of cellar doors, wineries and gin distilleries.
The weather held out which was good, it was cool but not wet. Each stop was different.
Thanks for going with the Frogmore Creek as our dinner choice, I thought was excellent, hopefully it didn't have any hit and miss meal choices like our lunch stop did.
Also good to meet new AFF members, the group was small but was a good chance to talk to everyone properly, a way to get to know everyone better. Delectable Blue would be the best person to write a trip report on just the wine tasting, and could probably write a book on a Buzz wine tour,
Virgin provided a good flight to Hobart, Jetstar was a different story, every time I fly with Jetstar its like they decrease the seat pitch another 5mm. Hobart Airport needs to put some serious investment into the terminal as the place seemed to be bursting.
The best wine of the tour was this: Glaetzer-Dixon überblanc Riesling now to find a few more bottles.

 

[RooFlyer]

. Hobart Airport needs to put some serious investment into the terminal as the place seemed to be bursting.

Arrgh. Don't get me started! The last major expansion was PRE Virgin and they are currently only taking about tinkering with one end, adding more gates.

 

[RooFlyer]

I told a white-loving friend about the uberblanc - they already knew about it (and love it). Seems i'm the only one not to have discovered it .

 

[Tassieoptom]

I told a white-loving friend about the uberblanc - they already knew about it (and love it). Seems i'm the only one not to have discovered it .

Well I must admit, I had not heard or tried it either. But also believe it was absolutely the best wine I tasted on the day.

 

[Tassieoptom]

About last night...

THA & TasTAFE awards for excellence were awarded to both Frogmore Creek Cambridge and The Lounge by Frogmore Creek.

Frogmore Creek
• Best Stand Alone Restaurant

The Lounge By Frogmore Creek
• Best Specialty Restaurant
• Best Fine Dining
• Restaurant of the Year (Metro)

#THAawards

 

[RooFlyer]

I've been recommending it to friends. Still a pity that the fancy one got 'unpopped', I doubt it will resurface if the ' Lounge'keeps full.

 

[Bundy Bear]

About last night...

THA & TasTAFE awards for excellence were awarded to both Frogmore Creek Cambridge and The Lounge by Frogmore Creek.

Frogmore Creek
• Best Stand Alone Restaurant

The Lounge By Frogmore Creek
• Best Specialty Restaurant
• Best Fine Dining
• Restaurant of the Year (Metro)

#THAawards

Now when you suggested a craft brewery that did burgers or something upmarket you really excelled yourself in the planning.

 

[ellen10]

Rereading this thread. Unfortunately we were unable to make your Tassie tour but we are heading to Hobart later this week.
So I have taken notes and will be visiting most of your visited locations to do some sampling.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Rereading this thread. Unfortunately we were unable to make your Tassie tour but we are heading to Hobart later this week.
So I have taken notes and will be visiting most of your visited locations to do some sampling.

I would have even offered to be a tour guide in a case like this @ellen10 . Unfortunately though I am currently in Paris and will be travelling through France, Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium this week. If you have any questions I will be happy to answer them, allowing for sporadic wifi connections after tonight.

 

[ellen10]

I would have even offered to be a tour guide in a case like this @ellen10 . Unfortunately though I am currently in Paris and will be travelling through France, Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium this week. If you have any questions I will be happy to answer them, allowing for sporadic wifi connections after tonight.

Thanks for your kind offer. Now that is a nice place to be! Some of my favourite places! Sounds like a great trip. I followed your Tassie thread and enjoyed the photos and reports.

We will be based in Hobart for a week and have a few things on our list, including a visit to Glaetzer-Dixon family winemakers, Gasworks tasting room (can anyone just go in?)
My husband is a very keen whiskey drinker and we hope to visit Sullivans Cove Distillery, maybe by taxi or Uber? Also looking at maybe a winetasting tour down to Richmond area or hiring a car and driving ourselves.
And a tour to Bruny Island, someone on this forum recommended Pennicott tours. And of course Frogmore lounge is on the list!

 

[Tassieoptom]

Thanks for your kind offer. Now that is a nice place to be! Some of my favourite places! Sounds like a great trip. I followed your Tassie thread and enjoyed the photos and reports.

We will be based in Hobart for a week and have a few things on our list, including a visit to Glaetzer-Dixon family winemakers, Gasworks tasting room (can anyone just go in?)
My husband is a very keen whiskey drinker and we hope to visit Sullivans Cove Distillery, maybe by taxi or Uber? Also looking at maybe a winetasting tour down to Richmond area or hiring a car and driving ourselves.
And a tour to Bruny Island, someone on this forum recommended Pennicott tours. And of course Frogmore lounge is on the list!

Yes gasworks tasting room is a must the sommelier is top notch.
Sullivan’s cove tour was interesting but price is top top dollar aimed at Asian tourists I feel. Do a tasting at Larks IMHO.
Pennicotts are world class and win award after award.
Definitely book Frogmore, my favourite restaurant in the world so far.
If you get a driver expect to pay 370 for 5 hours. David Jones is the guy I used. Will look up his details if I remember, is just before midnight, I have been at a bar drinking with a Dutchman so a little tipsy.
Cheers

 

[ellen10]

Well we are back from our week in Tassie, we had a great time and great weather.
We did the Pennicott gourmet tour of Bruny Island and it was fantastic, cheeses, oysters, lunch and wine tastings at the most southerly winery in Australia, fudge and chocolate tastings and then finishing with gin and whiskey tastings at The House of Whiskey. I highly recommend the tour.
Visited MONA, The Female Factory, Cascade Brewery, Salamanca markets, Whiskey bars, tastings at Lark Distillery, the Gasworks tasting room and several restaurants.

We did an Ageing Barrel Wine Tasting tour with a good group of 8. Enjoyed tastings at: Puddleduck, Pooley, Graigow (our favourite where we were treated to a special tasting with the owner Barry (a retired Doctor) in his garden, he was very generous with his pours and joined us in sampling the wines!) We lunched at Coal Valley Wines and finished off our tastings at Glaetzer-Dixon, Nick was away overseas so we had Sally to show us the tastings. Picked up the Riesling but the Mon Pere Shiraz was out of stock.

Our final night in Hobart we had a delicious dinner at Frogmore Lounge, (thanks to the recommendation). The food was amazing! Presented beautifully and tantalising our tastebuds. For starters: snapper ceviche, warm ham hock, mains: tea smoked duck breast, chargrilled porterhouse, dessert: forest floor, the Frogmore cigar. We had a glass each of rose' bubbles to start followed by a 2015 Pinot. Service was excellent, we enjoyed our banter with our waitress and she even gave us complimentary dessert wines. It was the perfect final dinner for our stay in Hobart and by far the best! Thank you for the recommendation.

Now waiting for our wine purchases to be delivered home.