Derwent Valley
Derwent Valley is located northwest of Hobart, Tasmania, easily accessible for visitors. This picturesque region features stunning landscapes, charming towns, and outdoor activities along the Derwent River, perfect for escaping the city and enjoying nature.
Photo Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy
The Derwent Valley—running along the River Derwent north-west from Hobart—is a cool, maritime-influenced Tasmanian corridor with long, slow ripening seasons. That cool, river-moderated climate is the main reason the region favours delicate, high-acidity styles and sparkling production.
Main Grape Varieties
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Pinot Noir — the region’s flagship red: cool-climate Pinot with bright red fruit, savoury/earthy notes and fine tannin.
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Chardonnay — a partner to Pinot Noir for both still and traditional-method sparkling wines; shows citrus/stonefruit, tight acidity and texture.
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Riesling — planted in select sites; produces high-acid, ageworthy whites where exposed to the coolest meso-sites.
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Smaller/secondary varieties — you’ll also encounter Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and some experimental plantings.
Major wineries
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Moorilla — one of Tasmania’s oldest and most high-profile sites (on a Derwent River peninsula). Moorilla makes small-batch, cool-climate wines and is closely tied to the Mona visitor experience. It’s a good stop if you want wine plus a major cultural attraction.
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Stefano Lubiana (Granton) — a prominent Derwent Valley estate practising biodynamic/low-intervention viticulture; highly regarded for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and noted for single-site bottlings.
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Derwent Estate — produces traditional-method sparkling alongside aromatic whites and cool-climate stills; has an on-site restaurant and visitor focus.