Australia Trip 2012 Part XI - Home Hill Winery, Tasmania

The light morning shower did not dampen our spirit as we hopped from stall to stall in the Salamanca weekend market. There were so many interesting items to see and buy from handicraft, books, fresh produce to food and wine. We had a great morning at the market and were all feeling hungry and wasted no time heading straight towards our lunch destination – Home Hill Winery.

Home to the multiple award winning Pinot Noir, Home Hill is a Tasmanian boutique vineyard, winery and restaurant located in the Huon Valley in Tasmania’s south. We were greeted by an outstanding modern building surrounded by vines as we drove into the car park.

The building housed the shop, tasting room and the restaurant and we really liked the modern, clean and lovely setting. Full height glass wall illuminated the dining area and provided the diners a stunning view of the green vines and blue sky.

For starters, we ordered a dozen of the freshly shucked Bruny Island oysters. The silky little shellfish were really super fresh, big and sweet. A perfect start to our lunch.

There was almost no repeat orders of the main courses as we attempted to sample almost all dishes listed on their menu.

Jazz had the grilled lamb chops served with  assorted season vegetables, pea puree and mint jelly. HM and Ashley had the pan seared salmon on tomato water, baby vegetables and herbs. Both dishes were slightly above mediocre standard. Nothing fantastic but what you would have expected for that price from such winery restaurant

KH ordered the poached duck breast served with assorted oranges, baby salad leaves, apple and balsamic reduction. I had a bite of the breast meat and was slightly disappointed. The meat was kind of dry and I would prefer a medium doneness.

Wife was adventurous enough to try the wallaby porterhouse, something which we would not be able to get in Singapore, I think. The ‘veal of kangaroo’ was served with pumpkin tart, wilted greens and pepperberry juice. The kangaroo meat had a mild delicate flavour and a tender texture.



I had the char grilled rib eye, which was interestingly served on a block of oak from an used wine barrel, with roasted mushroom, cherry tomato and potato. The bone in rib eye beef was nicely done -  pink from edge to edge with a nicely charred crust. I adored it.

For wine, we tried the 2012 Home Hill Sylvaner, 2010 Home Hill Landslide Pinot Noir and the award winning 2010 Home Hill Estate Pinot Noir.

No prize for guessing correctly which was my favourite. 

The Home Hill Estate Pinot Noir exhibits all the hallmarks of its cool climate origin - clear varietal expression, balance and long concentrated flavours.  I especially like the nose which is generous and pure with lashings of pure pinot fruit and an explosive, perfumed lift.  The palate is rounded with clean fruit intensity. 

All in all, from the green relaxing surrounding to the elegant dining room to the decent food and wine on the table, Home Hill winery and restaurant is definitely one of the best in Huon Valley. Worth a visit. 

Home Hill Winery & Restaurant

38 Nairn Street,  Ranelagh

Tasmania 7109

Australia

Tel (03) 6264 1200

Lunch Monday to Sunday: 12pm - 3pm Dinner Fridays and Saturdays: 6pm - late

Open 7 days for: Morning / Afternoon Tea and coffee

Open on all public holidays except Christmas Day and Good Friday.