For food and wine lovers, Tasmania is nothing less than a dream destination. The Apple Isle is teeming with travel-worthy restaurants (including GT’s current Tasmania state winner Peppina), scenic wineries and memorable culinary experiences like oyster shucking on a marine farm.
The culinary success of the island state comes down to the quality of the land itself. With fertile soils, a maritime climate and abundant water resources, Tasmania provides a healthy environment to grow some of the freshest seasonal produce in the country.
Now, you can get a variety of Tasmanian-made products around Australia. Here, we’ve put together a comprehensive selection of the best food, beverages and homewares to bring a distinctly Tasmanian flavour to your next dinner party.
Indulge in Tasmanian produce
Seafood is an elegant way to kick off a dinner party. Start with pickled mussels from Freycinet Marine Farm (available for shipping across the country). Or taste the farm’s freshly shucked oysters at Devil’s Corner Cellar Door if you find yourself on Tasmania’s east coast.
For charcuterie, try a selection of condiments and cheeses from Bruny Island Cheese Co. The fine artisanal cheeses are made and matured using traditional techniques and milk sourced from their small-scale Huon Valley dairy farm. Bruny Island Cheese Co sends boxes interstate via its Cheese Club, plus you can find its products at select Australian grocers.
Pair the cheeses with a gift hamper from Tasmanian Hamper Co. Packed with local produce — from savoury sauces to salami to chocolate — these boutique hampers are the perfect accompaniment for an impressive platter.
Serve Tasmanian beer and wine
With dolerite-capped mountains and rolling vineyards, the stunning Tasmanian landscape is both easy on the eyes and ideal for growing and producing premium wine.
While some of the striking mountains shelter the wine regions from high winds and rain, the cool climate enables the grapes to ripen slowly on the vine, allowing intensely aromatic varietals to develop naturally.
The good news is you don’t need to travel to taste Tasmania’s renowned wines. Treat your guests to a glass (or two) of the award-winning Pirie Sparkling wine on arrival and continue the fun with Devil’s Corner Resolution Pinot Noir.
Premium sparkling wine house Pirie produces traditional method wines made with a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, resulting in a punchy palate of cool-climate acidity unique to Tasmania.
For beer and spirits, try single malt whisky by Waubs Harbour, which is made, matured and bottled on Tasmania’s east coast, and artful cans of Moo Brew’s unpasteurised and preservative-free ales.
Set the table with Tasmanian homewares
Beautiful, handmade tableware can make for a great conversation starter. And there is no shortage of talented Tasmanian makers to buy your next piece from.
Hobart ceramicist Hamish Gibson produces considered, small-batch ceramics with his brand Hobart Hills. Each piece — from the smooth, handless cups to the joyful bowls — is inspired by the rugged Tasmanian landscape and designed for daily use.
For a well-dressed table, nab an organic linen tablecloth from The Spotted Quoll and create a centrepiece of candles by luxury fragrance brand The Raconteur. It’s never been easier to bring a taste of Tasmania to your table.
Tasmanian dinner party essentials
Named after a rugged bend in a river, Devil’s Corner reckons wine tastes better with both the wild and the tame. The warmth of shallow water, and the cold crunch of east coast sea breeze. And a team of humans who know just how to bring them together. The best of both worlds, that creates wine like nowhere else.
