The Tamar Valley and Pipers River sub-regions of Northern Tasmania boast a history of vineyards dating back to the 1820s. “The more information and detail we can give people about the wines from all these different sub-regions within Tasmania, the more they’ll engage with it,” explains winemaker Jim Chatto. This diversity of sub-regionality is a part of Chatto’s business model, as he only produces pinot noir wines from his estate vineyards in the southern Tasmanian region of the Huon Valley, and the northern regions of Tamar Valley and Pipers River. It keeps things simple: “If you’re buying Chatto, you’re buying pinot,” he jokes. However, this singular focus on pinot highlights the distinct regional differences in Tasmanian wines.
“Pipers is significantly cooler and wetter than a region like West Tamar, so we see wines with a racier and higher acidity alongside a red-fruited spectrum. Whereas the Tamar, where the bulk of the northern vineyards are, produces more muscular wines with a darker fruit spectrum.”
Launceston was the heart of the Stoney Creek peoples; the Therrernotepanner, Leterrermairrener and Panniher clans, who lived above the flood plains where the three rivers – Kunermurlukeker, Pleepertommeler and Lakekeller – meet. For generations, the clans lived along these river ways co-existing in harmony with the seasons. Today, they are remembered as the traditional owners of the northern parts of Tasmania surrounding Launceston.
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