Boutique Tasmanian producer Stargazer Wines has opened a cellar door in the heart of the Coal River Valley.
The project, which has been led by Stargazer Winemaker and Owner Samantha Connew, offers guests an intimate tasting experience that celebrates both the wines and the landscape defining Tasmania.
Connew, who recently won the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology Winemaker of the Year Award, says the new space represents a significant professional milestone.
“From the outset, I wanted to create a space that reflects what Stargazer is all about: considered, thoughtful, and grounded in this place,” says Connew.
Located 30 minutes from Hobart, the tasting room is part of Stargazer’s first dedicated vineyard, also known as the Palisander vineyard, which is the source of Stargazer’s small-batch wines.
Originally planted in 2004 by Norm and Jan Gangell, the vineyard began as a one-hectare block. When Connew took stewardship of the site, she began a gradual expansion and replanting process to increase both scale and diversity.
“The Palisander vineyard has grown alongside my winemaking journey, and this tasting room brings everything together. It’s a place where guests can see where their wine was grown, feel the story of the landscape, and taste the results in the glass,” says Connew.
Since 2017, the vineyard has grown to include four additional hectares and now supports a bigger range of varietals and clones. Alongside its signature pinot noir, chardonnay, and riesling, the site also produces gamay, pinot blanc, pinot gris, and gewürztraminer, reflecting Connew’s interest in exploring the limits of what Tasmania’s cool-climate soils can yield.
The new tasting room features a large bespoke communal table, allowing visitors to share the experience with just a handful of other guests.
Each session is hosted personally by Connew for the foreseeable future, and features a curation of current-release wines, with occasional surprises drawn from the cellar. It is limited to 12 people per session, and runs for 90 minutes.
“I can’t wait to share the beauty and character of the Coal River Valley with everyone who visits,” says Connew.
“Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning your journey, we hope you’ll enjoy discovering the wines and the place that inspired them.”
Tastings are available by advance booking through Stargazer Wines, with tastings priced at $35 per person. Wine Club members get complimentary access.
Photography by Adam Gibson.
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