There’s a new duo running tours at one of Tasmania’s most scenic cellar doors this winter, and neither of them can actually open a gate.
Meet Sasha and Biscuit, the resident “wine doggos" of Caledon Estate, the family-owned vineyard perched high in the Coal River Valley near Hobart. This off-season, the pair are headlining an entirely new kind of vineyard experience – one that swaps the usual clipboard-and-lanyard tour guide for a dog with excellent instincts and, apparently, zero thumbs.
So what exactly is a “Wine Doggo Tour"?
Meet Tasmania's cutest cellar door guides. Sasha and Biscuit are swapping leashes for vineyard tours, leading guests through behind-the-scenes corners of a stunning Tasmanian winery before a cosy fireside wine tasting.
It’s a private tour for two, led (loosely) by Sasha and her enthusiastic apprentice Biscuit, through parts of the 11-hectare vineyard that are usually off-limits to visitors. Since neither dog can open a gate, their “hooman" tags along too, filling in the gaps with insider knowledge on Caledon’s growing varieties and a few of the estate’s closely guarded cabernet sauvignon secrets.
The tour then winds down exactly the way a winter afternoon in the Coal River Valley should: with a cosy, fireside wine tasting, paired with canapés designed to round out the full Tasmanian experience – all inside Caledon’s architecturally designed, sandstone cellar door with sweeping views toward Mount Wellington/kunanyi.
Why this, why now
Sasha heads the wine tour. (Credit: Caledon Estate)
Experience the panoramic views. (Credit: Supplied/Caledon Estate)
Caledon Estate sits on an elevated, dolerite-rich site overlooking the village of Richmond – the kind of dramatic, gum-tree-dotted landscape that looks even better when the crowds thin out over winter. The off-season slot means smaller groups, quieter grounds, and a fireplace that actually gets used. Add two friendly vineyard dogs into the mix, and it’s less “wine tour," more “excuse to spend an afternoon doing exactly nothing stressful."
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The bigger picture
A seasonal range of wines are available for tasting. (Credit: Caledon Estate)
Caledon only planted its first vines in 2019, but it’s quickly built a reputation for cool-climate wines with real sense of place – pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling, pinot gris and sauvignon blanc, grown around the estate’s original gum trees and lightly grazed by sheep to keep things sustainable. The Wine Doggo Tour is very on brand: a low-key, characterful way to experience a vineyard that’s clearly more interested in charm than pretension.
If you’re planning a Coal Valley trip this winter, this might just be the most photogenic version of “I went for a wine tasting" you’ll get all year.
Details
The family-owned Caledon is a vineyard lover’s gem in Tasmania. (Credit: Caledon Estate)
Format: Private tour, designed for two people
When: Available 10.30am or 1pm, Thursday to Monday, until 31 August 2026
Cost: $115 per person
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
Overlooking the winding Tamar River, the Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is where two of Tasmania’s most acclaimed wine labels come together. Sip award-winning cool-climate wines and world-class sparkling while soaking up the vineyard views in one spectacular setting.
The fire crackles softly as you settle into a comfortable armchair, a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir warming your hands. Outside, rows of vines stretch across the Tamar Valley, their gentle contours framed by rolling hills and ever-changing skies. Or perhaps it’s a sunlit afternoon, and you’re on the terrace with a flute of PIRIE Vintage sparkling in hand, watching the valley shimmer beneath you as each crisp sip captures the freshness of Tasmania. At the Tamar Ridge and PIRIE Cellar Door, the setting in one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions is every bit as special as the wines.
The two brands now share a beautifully refurbished cellar door, giving visitors the opportunity to sample both still and sparkling wines from the Brown Family Wine Group’s luxury portfolio in a single stop. Alongside the shared tasting space, they’ve also introduced a range of premium experiences tailored to each brand.
Tamar Ridge’s story began in 1994, when vines were planted at Kayena in Tasmania’s Upper Tamar Valley. Guided by renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart – the “Flying Vine Doctor” – the vineyard quickly gained a reputation for quality, with a new winery established in 1998 and the Tamar Ridge label born.
Sit outside to soak in the sun as you enjoy Tamar Valley views. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Today, New Zealand-born head winemaker Tom Wallace leads the cellar, brings his passion for cool-climate winemaking to help shape Tamar Ridge’s reputation for elegant, expressive wines.
Founded by Dr Andrew Pirie in 1995, PIRIE helped prove the island’s potential for world-class cool-climate sparkling.
Crafted in the traditional method from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Valley, PIRIE Tasmania sparkling wines are celebrated for their fine beads, depth and elegance. With a collection of trophies, gold medals and top honours behind them, these rare vintages showcase the very best of the state’s sparkling wine.
Brown Brothers – now known as the Brown Family Wine Group – acquired Tamar Ridge, PIRIE and Devil’s Corner on the island’s east coast in 2010, extending the legacy of a family wine company founded in 1889 at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. The company has continued its pursuit of exceptional cool-climate vineyards, recognising Tasmania’s unique potential in a changing climate.
Location
Get cosy by the roaring fireplace. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is set on the west bank of the Tamar River, just 20 minutes north of Launceston and around two and a half hours’ drive from Hobart near the riverside village of Rosevears in northern Tasmania. Stretching more than 60 kilometres along the river, from the mouth near Launceston north towards Bass Strait, the Valley is a vast patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farmland and historic townships.
Style & decor
Come for a regular tasting, or book an experience. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic views, while outdoor decks make the most of the surrounding scenery. Inside, the refined contemporary interiors strike a balance between modern luxury and the natural surrounds, with a double-sided fireplace to linger by. A Tamar River view creates a warm focal point. Natural wood accents add a sense of place, including a handcrafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table that anchors the space with understated elegance.
Wine experiences
The cellar door’s curated wine experiences pair award-winning wines with local produce and the stories behind them. For those who prefer a leisurely visit without a set itinerary, the cellar door also offers cheese platters and small plates, best enjoyed with a glass in hand while taking in those Tamar River views.
Come for a taste, stay for an experience.
PIRIE & Oyster Experience
Taste the best of PIRIE matched with oysters. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
A true taste of Tasmania comes to life in the PIRIE & Oyster Experience, created in partnership with Tasmanian Oyster Co. Exploring the connection between merroir and terroir – the influence of the sea and soil on flavour – this guided tasting pairs three premium oysters from different Tasmanian growing regions with three expressions of PIRIE sparkling wine: the NV, 2021 Vintage and Blanc de Blanc.
As each oyster and wine pairing is revealed, guests discover how Tasmania’s unique landscapes shape flavour, from the mineral freshness of the ocean to the elegance and precision of cool-climate sparkling wine.
Pinot Noir Blending Experience
Try your own hand at mixing. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
For those who want to step behind the winemaker’s bench, the Pinot Noir Blending Experience offers a hands-on journey into the art of creating great wine.
Guests taste through three to four individual Pinot Noir clones from the previous vintage, each revealing its own personality through aroma, structure and character. Guided by the cellar door team, visitors explore how these individual components come together to create balance and complexity – before attempting their own blend.
Will you recreate the house style, or create something entirely original? This immersive experience offers a fascinating insight into the craft, creativity and precision that goes into every bottle.
Supreme Indulgence
Settle in for true indulgene. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
The most elevated experience at the cellar door, the Supreme Indulgence (PIRIE Sparkling with Caviar tasting) is a celebration of luxury, refinement and Tasmania’s exceptional produce.
Priced at $99 per person, the tasting pairs PIRIE Tasmania’s most distinguished sparkling wines with carefully selected sturgeon caviar, chosen to enhance the elegance, texture and finesse of each cuvée. Hosted by an expert member of the team, the experience unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of fine bubbles, delicate flavours and the craftsmanship behind every bottle.
