Tasmania
Tasmania, the southernmost state of Australia, has earned global attention among sommeliers for its precision-driven, cool-climate sparkling wines.
Its pristine environment, maritime influence, and ancient, mineral-rich soils create ideal conditions for crafting wines that balance natural acidity, fine texture, and aromatic purity. While the state’s first commercial vineyards date back to 1865, it is only in the past few decades that Tasmania has experienced a true renaissance in winemaking — revealing a region that is only now beginning to show the full depth of its potential.
REGION; PIPERS RIVER
Located in the northeastern corner of Tasmania, Pipers River is colloquially known as “Sparkling Tasmania.” It is renowned for its unique style of sparkling wine — the Méthode Tasmanoise — produced using traditional French methods.
The region’s red, free-draining basalt soils and cool ocean breezes create an ideal environment for growing high-quality fruit that becomes some of Australia’s finest sparkling wines.
Méthode Tasmanoise
Home to the Jansz Wine Room & Vineyard, Pipers River is where the Hill-Smith Family’s love affair with Tasmania began. The region’s pure basalt soils provide the perfect foundation for vine development, resulting in intensely flavored and aromatic wines that remain delicate, refined, and balanced.
The proximity to the Bass Strait brings steady ocean winds that keep winter temperatures slightly higher — minimizing frost risk — while cooling the vines in summer. This balance allows grapes to ripen slowly, preserving natural acidity and elegance.
COAL RIVER VALLEY — INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Further south, in Tasmania’s southeastern region, lies the Coal River Valley, home to the Pontos Hills Winery. Nestled between the Meehan Range, Pitt Water, and Pontos Hills, the area is just a 30-minute drive from Hobart, making it one of Tasmania’s most accessible wine regions.
The winery has been consciously designed and engineered to craft world-class sparkling wines with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Although not yet open to the public, the team is committed to developing the local wine and tourism industries, with future plans for a visitor experience.
TASMANIA’S SPARKLING FUTURE
Both Pipers River and Coal River Valley produce sparkling wines with intense flavor, aromatic precision, and terroir expression. Their balance of cool climate, mineral-rich soils, and ocean influence defines the emerging signature of Tasmanian sparkling.
As these regions gain global recognition, it’s clear that Tasmania’s sparkling wine industry has a bright and prosperous future ahead — a perfect reflection of craftsmanship meeting climate.
MÉTHODE TASMANOISE — THE TASMANIAN WAY
Méthode Tasmanoise is more than just a practice of making luxury Tasmanian sparkling wine.
For Jansz Tasmania, it embodies every aspect of its unique place — reflecting the Tasmanian way of life, and a deep respect for the environment, the natural wilderness, and the untamed oceans that shape the island’s character.
This philosophy celebrates the synergy between craft and landscape, between people and place. Méthode Tasmanoise expresses not only terroir and technique but also the entrepreneurial spirit and joy of creation that define those who make it — people driven by the pursuit of excellence, not perfection.
Beyond Terroir
Méthode Tasmanoise isn’t merely a winemaking process; it is the essence of Tasmania itself. It reflects the region’s pristine waters, fertile soils, and pure air, all of which contribute to the island’s distinctive sparkling wines.
By working with nature rather than against it, and maintaining minimal intervention, Jansz Tasmania allows the island’s energy to flow through every bottle — honest, expressive, and alive.
A Way of Life
At Jansz Tasmania, Méthode Tasmanoise represents a way of life — one that honors natural beauty, handcrafted excellence, and the people who make it all possible.
It’s not simply a label on a bottle; it’s the Tasmanian signature — vibrant, wild, and unmistakably its own.Summary
Tasmania is the premier sparkling wine region in Australia.
The island's pristine environment, cool climate, and rich soils provide ideal conditions for naturally elegant and aromatic wines, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being the most famous varieties.
Pipers River, located in the northeast corner of Tasmania, is colloquially known as 'Sparkling Tasmania' and is renowned for its unique style of sparkling wine, the Méthode Tasmanoise, produced using traditional French methods.
Coal River Valley, located in southeastern Tasmania, is home to the Pontos Hills Winery and Vineyard, which has been consciously designed and engineered to craft world-class sparkling wines emphasizing innovation and sustainability.
Méthode Tasmanoise is more than just a practice of making luxury Tasmanian sparkling wine; it embodies every aspect of Tasmania, including the region's respect for the environment, unique crafts, and people who call Tasmania their home.
Méthode Tasmanoise is the Tasmanian Méthode that defines Jansz Tasmania. It reflects the region's pristine waters, fertile soils, and clean air, with minimal intervention and working with nature rather than trying to subdue it.
Questions
What makes Tasmania the premier sparkling wine region in Australia?
Which grape varieties are most renowned in Tasmania's winemaking industry?
What is Méthode Tasmanoise, and where is it produced?
Where is the Pontos Hills Winery and Vineyard located, and what is its approach to winemaking?
What is the significance of Méthode Tasmanoise to Jansz Tasmania, and how does it reflect the region's unique features?
How does Tasmania's winemaking industry celebrate the people who call the island state their home, and what are some of the characteristics of these people?
