From Tradition to Innovation: The Best Wineries for Sparkling Wine in Tasmania

Tasmania is known for cool-climate wines like pinot noir, chardonnay and sav blanc, but did you know it also produces some excellent sparkling wines? Tassie sparkling wines are well-established, with a mix of old-world influence and new-world up-and-comers and innovators on par with some of the best on the mainland and overseas.

Not sure where to start? These four producers make typically Tasmanian drops you’ll want to have on your radar, from traditional styles to fresh innovation. And you can try them all together at Effervescence, a three-day festival bringing these makers of Tassie’s finest bubbly together from November 8 to 10. Come discover more at the source, with masterclasses for the aficionados, tastings for the cuvee-curious and a weekend-long party of wine, cuisine and spectacular scenery.

A big name in Tasmanian wine, Josef Chromy Wines marries “methode traditionnelle” (the traditional method of producing sparkling wines, as favoured in Champagne) with a pioneering approach to sustainability and land stewardship. This award-winning Tamar Valley winery was established by Josef Chromy in 2007, and its lakeside estate is just a short drive from Launceston.

The winery produces still and sparkling wines, with blocks of riesling, chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir, but the character of their sparkling is noted for its crisp, green apple acidity. Each year’s release is highly anticipated, and the 2019 Josef Chromy Brut Finesse is being launched to the public at Effervescence.

While the winery regularly offers sparkling masterclasses and crafting experiences, it’s taking things up a notch for Effervescence. As the festival host, the winery restaurant will host the opening Gala Dinner on Friday November 8, with a five-course wine-matched feast led by award-winning wine journalist Cassandra Charlick. There’s also a Grand Tasting picnic by the lake featuring over 70 Tassie sparkling wines from some of the state’s producers, and masterclasses of Tasmanian and international sparkling wines, before everyone lets their hair down at the Bubbles & Beats afterparty. For a touch of luxury, the VIP Grand Tasting experience includes an exclusive brunch with Charlick, early access to the Grand Tasting so you can beat the crowds, a two-course lunch in the restaurant, then the International masterclass to finish.

Founded in 1995 by Ed Carr, House of Arras has been influential in putting Australian bubbles on the world map. Fruit is sourced from multiple vineyards across Tasmania, with focus on chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir varieties, each influenced by distinct climates and sub-regional environments. House of Arras produces wines of complexity, variety and refinement, from the non-vintage releases to Vintage and Grand Vintage; it also stands out among Tasmanian producers for its limited releases of the mature Late Disgorged cuvees.

If you don’t know much about this level of sparkling, but want to discover more, check out the Effervescence event at House of Arras: a masterclass and exclusive tour of the vineyard.

While methode traditionnelle is the style followed by France’s longstanding champagne houses, Jansz Tasmania coined the term “methode Tasmanoise” for its own approach – blending old- and new- world styles in a practice centred on place, provenance and sustainable vineyard practice. Led by vigneron Jen Doyle, Jansz Tasmania yields wines that are expressive of the pristine climate of Northern Tasmania and Pipers River. “Mother nature brings every element into this glass,” says Doyle. “In Tasmania, we get a long-extended grape-ripening period, which slowly develops the beautiful flavours with a great elegance as well as depth of flavour in our sparkling wines.”

You can meet Doyle herself at Let’s Jansz, a day of live music, fresh oysters, local cheese and sparkling wine all afternoon at the Jansz Tasmania wine room for Effervescence.

One of the more boutique wineries on the block, Small Wonder punches well above its weight with a core range of lively, vivacious sparkling and still wines. Its 20 hectares of certified organic vineyards are set within native bushland in Kayena, on the edge of the Tamar Valley. With such natural conditions, the team is big on biodiversity and green energy initiatives to maintain the land. “Our methode traditionnelle wines represent the purity of Tasmania through their elegant flavour profile, structural finesse and crisp acidity,” says winemaker Andrew Trio. “We have plans to continue making this wine style with little to no dosage, ensuring that our unique site is expressed every vintage.”

With influence from the Tamar River and the maritime winds of the Bass Strait, it’s fitting that Small Wonder’s Effervescence event is a three-course seafood lunch featuring the 2021 Blanc de Blancs – the Best Vintage Sparkling winner from the 2024 Tasmanian Wine Awards. Trio himself will lead a winery talk afterwards, exploring the unique characters of their wines.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Effervescence Tasmania. Effervescence is a sparkling wine festival that celebrates the best Tassie fizz across three days of events from November 8–10. Hosted at Josef Chromy Wines and cellar doors across Launceston, there are multiple ways for guests to get involved – from the opening Gala Dinner to the relaxed picnic of the Grand Tasting & educational masterclasses. Tickets are on sale now.