Tasmania's wine industry didn't really reach take off until 1974 when Dr Andrew Pirie established Pipers Brook Vineyard. By producing excellent wines and marketing them effectively, Pipers Brook vineyard brought Tasmanian wine to prominence in the minds of wine drinkers. Since then, their reputation has grown both domestically and internationally, gaining outstanding acclaim for their premium quality table and sparkling wines.

In many ways, the whole island of Tasmania is a wine zone. However, there is a broad division between Northern and Southern Tasmania, and within this division distinct viticultural areas exist, with a wide range of microclimates and soil types. Tasmania's complex geography has helped produce wines of extensive diversity and character.

Central to the vineyard areas of Northern Tasmania is the city of Launceston, located on the banks of the Tamar River. The Tamar Valley lies to the north west of the city, and to the north east is Pipers Brook and Pipers River. These combined areas are commonly referred to as the Tamar Valley Wine Route. The area is a mix of players from large companies such as BRL Hardy's Bay of Fires, and Yalumba's Jansz Wine Company, to smaller wineries producing much sought after premium wines.

The outstanding grape varieties are Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir, with a special note being made towards Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. Alongside its contribution to the high quality table wine market, this area also produces what are possibly Australia's best sparkling wines.

Southern Tasmania incorporates wine areas within easy reach of the state capital, Hobart. Top quality vineyards and wineries grace the Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, Huon Valley and D'Entrecasteaux Channel. As you might expect with Tasmania's distinctly seasonal, cool climate, vineyards need to be carefully located for maximum exposure to the sun, and protection from the cold southerly winds. Tending to reside around rivers and bays, the grapes experience the tempering effects of large bodies of water. Very much like the North, key grape varieties are Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir with small patches of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Pinot Noir is of particular high quality providing complex and rich refined wines.