The Ninth Island Cellar Door is located just 15 minutes north of Launceston in northern Tasmania on the banks of the Tamar River. The actual Ninth Island, although often shrouded by ocean mists, is visible from the vineyards and is a wildlife refuge for penguins and a vast array of native birdlife, while the surrounding waters play host to a variety of sea life including dolphins and seals.
Ninth Island wines are all about Tasmanian freshness in a glass. Epitomising cool climate viticulture, they offer an attractive, immediately enjoyable drink that reflects Ninth Island's winemaking commitment to preserving the crisp, fragrant, fresh fruit flavours and aromas. They're 100% estate grown and suited to early consumption.
Ninth Island Wines are part of the Pipers Brook Vineyards Group. The Wines are made at Pipers Brook Winery, which is located approximately 1 hour North East of Launceston. Ninth Island Cellar Door (Strathlynn) features a function centre and Gift Shop with bush and water views.
What is Ninth Island's philosophy?
Pipers Brook and Ninth Island are regarded as ‘modern pioneers’ of the Tasmanian wine industry. We are passionate about traditional method Sparkling wines, White aromatics and Pinot Noir particularly. We are proudly Tasmanian and 100% Estate grown and made, and we believe we have one of the best Cool Climate wine regions in Australia. Our range of variable micro climates in the North East of Tasmania, along with diverse collection of Pinot Noir clones, makes our Pinot Noir and Sparkling wines more complex and unique when compared to other producers in Australia. Our greatest challenge is to produce consistently fresh and attractive wines in spite of some variable weather conditions over the years. We believe this is achieved by a careful blending process at the winery and the craftsmanship of our winemaker Mr Rene Bezemer.
Tell us about the the Tamar Valley.
Compared to the rest of Tasmania, the Tamar Valley is relatively warm and its 42 degree south latitude (the same as Burgundy) makes it perfect for Ninth Island's production of early drinking French wine styles such as the Ninth Island Sparkling NV, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Tell us about your chief winemaker, René Bezemer
René Bezemer was born in George Town, a seaside village nestled on the banks of the Tamar River in northern Tasmania. He joined Pipers Brook Vineyard at the age of 19, employed initially as a painter/decorator, before moving into the winery a year later. After starting as a cellar hand, René progressed to Winery Manager and Assistant Winemaker. In 2000, René completed vintage in France at Languedoc, Rousillon and spent three weeks in California's Napa Valley, returning with a number of winemaking initiatives and style refinements. The highlights of René's career include the 1996 planning and implementation of the Tirage and Disgorging program for their sparkling wine production process and the creation of the liqueur de dosage used in various vintage and non vintage styles. Subsequent to the acquisition of Pipers Brook Vineyard by Kreglinger Wine Estates, René was appointed Chief Winemaker of Kreglinger Wine Estates by CEO Paul de Moor.
Did you know...
All Ninth Island wine bottles include an image of its namesake – Ninth Island.
- René Bezemer, Chief Winemaker