I visited a few Tamar Valley vineyards on the weekend, these are my thoughts. (there are also some other photos in the "View from my office" thread)
'Holm Oak', very nice wines and setting. They do platters up from smallgoods available in their fridge. They had a range of free tastings (most of their offerings) or you can pay $15- for a flight of 4 Pinots including their premium one. ($130) It had a nice feel to it.
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'Goaty Hill', beautiful outlook and lots of awards for their Rieslings. They offer platters, they have a $4- tasting charge offset if you purchase. Overall it was nice but didn't grab me.
'Tamar Ridge' - big, flashy, modern. They have a broad range of offerings including a cheaper range (Tassie wines are generally more expensive than I see elsewhere) They carry Tamar Ridge, Pirie and Devils Corner ranges - I didn't see any Browns Brothers but there may have been some hiding somewhere. They have a function room and accommodation, they also serve meals. I have been a fan of Tamar Ridge Pinot for a long time and also love the Pirie Sparkling's. I had my first taste of their reserve and a single vintage that I thought to be a step above the range I already love. Free tastings.
'Moores Hill', a nice small vineyard with a café overlooking the vines. I liked the Pinot, sparkling and Riesling I tried and would lover to go back and enjoy some over lunch on the veranda. Good atmosphere, free tastings.
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'Wines For Joanie' is a relatively new place - they were busy landscaping with excavators when I called in but the tasting room was full of atmosphere (converted apple crate manufacturing shed) and a very genuine proprietor telling their story. They had a fruity vintage sparkling - very different than a dry toasty sparkling. They had a cheap fruit driven Pinot with a different label, but my favourite was their flagship Pinot - on the expensive side but stunning. Not sure if they charged for tasting, I purchased some wine so it didn't come up.
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'Swinging Gate Vineyard' is not marked on the wine route map and there was no sign on the main road - I went past it to visit Wines For Joanie so figured I may as well stop in. It has only just opened under that name and the previous owners had just been selling fruit. The wines were very fruity (intentionally) as he needed some sell now/drink now wines for cash flow. I like citrusy Rieslings - the fruity style is not to my taste at the moment. I was very surprised that the Pinot had the same fruit salad characters as the Riesling - it was ok but not for me. He had a dry Fiano that was interesting and as I was about to leave he offered some Amarone (made with Pinot and Shiraz as he does not have the traditional grapes) from the barrel out the back. It was my first try of this style and definitely unique. There was a small group their having a massive platter and he just fired up the BBQ to cook them lunch (Nigel's Sausages made from pork, pear, his Pinot and something else, a herb, but it escapes me) The CD was little more than an old shed but it had a definite charm. Free tastings.
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'Loira Vines' - I left with a bottle. I liked everything I tried - well the cold climate Shiraz was liked but not something I would buy (edit; this wine had a very distinct white pepper taste - I have never tasted pepper in a wine that was so clearly white pepper). The CD was tiny but the hospitality was huge. Cheese and crackers were brought out, I was treated like long lost family with genuine interest in where I was from and what I was up to etc. I left with a Pinot, but am kicking myself I didn't grab a half a case of Chardonnay - and I don't even like Chardonnay.... It has been mentioned elsewhere that I was put off by heavily wooded Chardonnays but this, like many others I am sure was not wooded and while fruity, a fruity I really liked. I will return, free tastings.
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'WinterBrook' I have nothing positive to say, so will leave it at tastings cost $4