To follow on from our previous article last month highlighting the Cradle Coast Tasting Trail produce, this month we want to focus on celebrating the wonderful variety of wines, ciders and whisky that are developing a great reputation on this little island of ours.

North West Tasmania’s cool climate allows producers of fine food and wine to develop their products unique to each one’s aim, method and style. Discover for yourself what gems lie scattered about this small section of the island.

Hellyers Road Distellery

Hellyers Road Distillery
Hellyers Road Distillery    Credit: Tourism Australia and Graham Freeman

Hellyers Road Distillery is the largest distiller of single malt whisky in Australia. That alone may give you an idea of what can be discovered upon a visit here to this well established business. The Visitor Centre welcomes guests everyday of the week, with fully guided tours running for 30 – 40 minutes each session. Entry fee is $17.50 per person however children under 16 may accompany adults for free. Opening hours are 10am till 4:30pm. Contact (03) 64330439 for more information or visit the website below.

Where: 153 Old Surrey Road, Burnie, Tasmania
From Beauty Point Tourist Park: Approximately 1 hour drive
More Information: Hellyers Road Distillery website

100 Acres at Ghost Rock Tasmania

Ghost Rock Tasmania
Ghost Rock Tasmania    Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Heidi Sze

Less than one hour’s drive from Beauty Point Tourist Park, Ghost Rock vineyard and cellar door are open 7 days, 11am – 5pm and include a retail space, art exhibitors, plenty of parking space for the car or van AND can seat up to 70 plus people in one sitting. Perhaps the ideal location for that special event you would like to book? The spacious lawns also have a children’s playground and several designated picnic areas. The sweeping views across North of the Bass Strait make this an ideal location to visit and enjoy any time of year.

Where: 1055 Port Sorell Road, Northdown, Tasmania
From Beauty Point Tourist Park: 50 minutes drive
More Information: Ghost Rock website

Spreyton Cider Co.

Spreyton Cider Co.
Spreyton Cider Co.

Hand crafted cider using 100% Tasmanian pears and apples and all natural ingredients. Spreyton Cider Co have based their recipes off traditional methods from France and England, and by drawing on family held recipes dating back to the 1800’s. Spreyton Cider Co have created a variety of ciders, utilizing a variety of apples to create the mix of flavours and dryness to suit different palates. They have also released a popular ginger beer that is light on sweetness, but strong on punch!

Cider tasting and sales are available along with cherry and juice sales 7 days per week, 12pm to 5pm all year round.

Where: 6 Melrose Road, Spreyton, Tasmania.
From Beauty Point Tourist Park: Approximately 1 hour drive
More Information: Spreyton Cider Co. Website

Prickly Mo

This is the new wine label kid on the block, open since November, 2015 and growing strong every since; including the recent renovation of a bigger cellar door to help fit all the eager patrons who just keep growing! Although Prickly Mo may not have a website, they do have a Facebook page that boasts 128 reviews, all of which are five stars. Reputation says it all. It may be the small selection of boutique wines on offer as well as the laid back vibe of his cool spot to hang. Either way, they are doing something right. Open from Thursday till Sunday 12pm – 5pm, with the exception of Fridays, opening at 12pm and closing at 10pm.

Where: 62 Lakeside Road, Eugenana, Tasmania
From Beauty Point Tourist Park: 1 hour drive
More Information: Prickly Mo Facebook Page

Blustery Banks Vineyard

Overlooking the Bass Strait to the North, this cellar door offers visitors taste testing of their small, but award winning selection of boutique wines – 2015 Pinot Noir, 2013 Chardonnay, 2013 Rose and 2012 Blanc De Blancs. We think their website describes it best when they say: “This light to medium bodied Pinot Noir has a luscious soft texture, raspberry, spiced rhubarb and cherry fruit characters continue to linger on the palate. Secondary flavours from excellent oak use of mushroom, mint and whisky spice peaty-ness”.

The cellar door and shop are open Mon – Fri, 10am – 5pm and Sat’s 10am – 4pm. Also available to purchase are gift hampers pre-made or custom made, apples from the orchard and freshly sourced produce and Tasmanian gourmet products.

Where: 26 Sheffield Road, Spreyton, Tasmania
From Beauty Point Tourist Park: 45 minutes – 1 hour drive
More Information: Blustery Banks website