Experience a taste of Tassie terroir under the tutelage of acclaimed winemaker Samantha Connew.

It’s not everyday you can sip small-batch wines while overlooking the undulating hills of Tassie’s Coal River Valley. Rarer still is the chance to do it from a glass-walled, intimate space set on the very site where those wines were made. Rarer again to experience it all under the guidance of Australia’s official Winemaker of the Year.  

Acclaimed small-batch winery Stargazer Wines – owned and run by pioneering wine professional Samantha Connew – has opened a new tasting room in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley. Located just 30 minutes’ drive from Hobart, the winery is known for its experimental drops that showcase the remarkable diversity of Tasmania’s cool-climate viticulture.  

The tasting room frames the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines at the Palisander vineyard, celebrating the landscapes that shape this distinctive Tasmanian terroir. Inside the refined shed-like construction, up to 12 guests at a time can enjoy a selection of current release wines during guided sessions that, for the foreseeable future, will be guided by Samantha Connew herself.  

Winemaker of the Year 2025

In November, Connew was named the 2025 Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology Winemaker of the Year for 2025 at the ASVO Awards for Excellence. The award, judged by industry peers including winemakers, viticulturists and scientists, recognises Connew’s outstanding contribution to the culture and innovation of Australian wines.  

Connew was the youngest judge and first woman to serve as Chair of Judges at the Sydney Royal Wine Show and is the current Chair of Judges at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. She tutors and sits on the Board of the Len Evans Tutorial, and has previously served on the board of Wine Tasmania and the advisory board of the Australian Women in Wine Awards. 

The evolution of Stargazer Wines

The Palisander site itself started modestly in 2004 as a single hectare planted by Norm and Jan Gangell. Since taking stewardship of the site in 2012, Connew has expanded and re-imagined the vineyard, coaxing it to its current 11 hectares and broadening its palette of varietals. She was driven by a strong conviction that Tasmania’s Coal River Valley had the potential to produce world-class wines, owing to its unique soils and cool climate. 

Alongside the estate’s hallmark Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, plantings now include Gamay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer, which reflects Connew’s interest in testing the limits of what Tassie’s soils can produce. Now, the winemaker is iniviting visitors into the belly of the beast.  

The Stargazer Tasting Room

Dreamt up by Maguire + Devine Architects and realised by J & M Construction of Hobart, the Stargazer Tasting Room is simple yet striking – all macrocarpa timber, stone and glass. It was designed to emulate the atmosphere of a friend’s home or refined shed embraced by a rural landscape. 

“From the outset, I wanted to create a space that reflects what Stargazer is all about: considered, thoughtful and grounded in this place," Connew says. 

The room centres around a large communal table with 12 seats, each offering sweeping views of the surrounding vines thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that replace three of the four walls. A wood fire provides warmth at the head of the table and, overhead, a sculptural light reminiscent of the valley’s rolling contours hangs from a stunning timber panelled ceiling.  

The Stargazer Tasting experience

At the table, visitors share a bespoke guided tasting experience with just a handful of other guests. The 90-minute tasting costs $35 per person, while Wine Club members enjoy complimentary access. 

For the foreseeable future, the tutored session will be hosted personally by Connew, allowing guests to engage meaningfully with her winemaking philosophy and expertise. Expect a curated selection of current-release wines, with occasional surprises drawn from the cellar.  

“The Palisander vineyard has grown alongside my winemaking journey, and this tasting room brings everything together. It’s a place where guests can see where their wine was grown, feel the story of the landscape and taste the results in the glass," she says. 

The small-group format, limited to 12 per session, encourages discovery in a quiet and tranquil atmosphere. At the end of their tasting journey, guests have access to a generous porch overlooking the beautiful valley to complete the experience. 

“What began as a dream back in 2020 has finally become reality," Samantha Connew explains. “I can’t wait to share the beauty and character of the Coal River Valley with everyone who visits. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning your journey, we hope you’ll enjoy discovering the wines and the place that inspired them." 

The details

Experience: Stargazer Tasting Room  

Location: 37 Rosewood Lane, Tea Tree, Tasmania 

Booking times: 10:00am, 12:30pm or 3:00pm, Friday through Monday 

Length: roughly 90 minutes 

Price: $35 per person, complimentary for Wine Club members 

Guests: Up to 12 

Accessible: Yes, but recommended to notify venue in advance 

Book: Stargazer Wines (by advance only)