Top five sustainable cellar doors
Lutruwita/Tasmania’s cool climate wines are world-class, but some go beyond great vintages. From biodynamic vines to off-grid estates, here are five exceptional cellar doors that champion eco-conscious practices, writes Nola James.
Stefano Lubiana
Derwent Valley-based Stefano Lubiana is Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic vineyard, meaning it follows traditional farming practices based on the lunar cycle and wines are made without synthetic treatments, additives or pesticides. Sadly, the on-site restaurant closed last year, but you can still sample fifth-generation winemaker Steve Lubiana’s refined, expressive pinot noirs at the Tuscan inspired cellar door.
Utzinger Wines
Swiss-born winemaker Matthias Utzinger met his Tasmanian-raised wife, Lauren, while backpacking in Iran. They planted certified-organic vines overlooking the Tamar River in 2016, with a lo-fi, appointment-only cellar door opening Utzinger Wines in 2024. You’re in expert hands here – Matthias and Lauren run their own tastings – with the option to add Swiss cheese pairings (naturally) to fumé blanc, chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir and the “Roter Satz” field blend, which has earned a cult following.
Small Wonder Wines
Small Wonder is nestled in 20ha of native bushland on the western ridge of the Tamar. The brand is overseen by winemaker Ockie Myburgh (also chief winemaker at Josef Chromy), with Singapore-based parent company investing heavily in the 1998-planted site, including organic conversion, lighter-weight packing and a switch to 100 per cent green energy. The cellar door offers wine tastings, cheese and charcuterie plates, plus twice-daily tours of the winemaking facilities.
Pooley Wines
Multi-generational Coal River producer Pooley Wines has won Wine Tasmania’s VinØ Program Champion award for sustainable practices three times, and was the first Tasmanian vineyard to achieve independent environmental certification through Entwine Australia (the industry’s original voluntary environmental assurance scheme). A heritage-listed sandstone barn houses the tasting room, with a casual woodfired pizza and wine offering on the lawns.
Moores Hill
This off-grid operation became Tasmania’s first 100 per cent solar powered winery in 2017. Specialising in dry and sweet rieslings, with pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay in the mix, its wines are small batch and minimal intervention. The small cellar door, which was built from upcycled timber, offers wine flights and tasting platters best enjoyed on the deck, with a view of vines and hills.
