Tasmania, Australia Wine Tasting & Australia Vineyards
Farther afield, where the Pacific Ocean rips a notch into the northern coast of Tasmania, blue and yellow signs guide travelers along the 105-mile circular Tamar Valley Wine Route.
âThere were two vineyards planted in the 1960s, which are still in full swing today,â says Mary Wilson, owner with husband Micheal of Velo Wines. âThe first was named La Provence, now Providence Vineyard at Lillydale (this is Tasmaniaâs oldest vineyard), and Chateaux Legana, now Velo Wines.â (Velo gets its name from Micheal Wilson, Tasmaniaâs only Tour de France cyclist.) The regionâs wineriesânow up to 21âare noted for Pinot Noir and sparkling wines, though they also produce Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.