A day with spirits, wine, and cheese sounds dangerous. That’s the appeal here: you pack in Derwent Valley wine, 7K gin, and Old Kempton whisky in one smooth 7-hour circuit from Hobart. Add a later stop for Pooley Wines and a cheese tasting, and you’ve got a proper sampler of South-East Tasmania’s drinks scene without needing a car.

Two things I really like: the small group size (max 6) makes it easier to ask questions and pace yourself between tastings, and the guide setup seems genuinely thoughtful—Ross is friendly and keeps things organized so you feel taken care of from the first pickup. The other plus is that you’re not just drinking; you get distillery tours and structured tastings, which helps the day feel meaningful instead of random.

One consideration: lunch costs aren’t included, even though there’s a lunch stop at Old Kempton Distillery. So you’ll want to budget a little extra (about $20) and keep an eye on how much you’ve tasted before you sit down.

Key highlights worth circling

• Max 6 travelers means a more personal day than big-bus tastings.
• Derwent Estate + Pooley Wines gives you a two-valley wine intro (Derwent Valley and Coal River Valley).
• 7K Distillery gin tasting plus a later Old Kempton whisky tour and tasting for contrast.
• Cheese is built in twice—an early platter and a dedicated cheese tasting later.
• Pickup within 5 km of Hobart CBD keeps it easy, even if you’re staying in the center.
• Ross and the team handle the swaps if weather or availability changes your venue order.

A small-group spirits-and-wine circuit that starts in Hobart

This tour works because it’s built like a day itinerary, not just a ticket list. You’ll be moving through the region in an air-conditioned vehicle, with bottled water provided, and tastings scheduled so you’re not constantly guessing what’s next. It’s a classic “driver does the hard part” setup, but with enough structure to keep things interesting.

The small group size matters more than you’d think. With up to 6 people, you’re more likely to get quick answers to questions and a bit more interaction during tastings and tours. If you’re the type who likes learning as you sip, that’s a big win.

Pickup, timing, and how the day actually flows

You’ll start around 9:30am with pickup from your hotel or accommodation if it’s within 5 km of Hobart CBD. The tour runs about 7 hours, and the usual drop-off is around 4:30pm back at your place (again within that 5 km zone).

The day is also designed to be low-stress logistically. You’ll have a mobile ticket, and the schedule is flexible: the order of stops can shift based on weather, availability, and other factors. That flexibility can be a lifesaver if conditions change, but it also means you should expect a bit of variability—so don’t plan another tight booking immediately after your return.

If you’re staying central, this is one of those tours that feels tailor-made. No rental car. No parking. No navigation. You just show up, and the day runs.

Derwent Estate: wine tasting and a cheese platter in the Derwent Valley

Your first real taste of the day happens at Derwent Estate Vineyard in the Derwent Valley. You’ll spend about an hour here, with admission included, and it starts with a wine tasting plus a cheese platter.

Why I like this start: it sets you up for the rest of the day in a practical way. You get warmed up with wine, you pair it with cheese right away, and you’re not jumping straight into gin and whisky before your palate has a base. It also gives you a quick sense of the style of the region before the tour switches gears into spirits.

A potential drawback is the same one you’ll see at any multi-stop tasting day: once you’ve had wine early, you’ll want to pace the rest of your samples. The tour format makes it easy to keep going, but you’ll enjoy the day more if you take your time and don’t rush from glass to glass.

7K Distillery gin tasting: a regional spirits introduction

Next up is 7K Distillery, where you’ll get about an hour dedicated to gin. Admission is included, and the focus here is a gin tasting.

This stop is valuable because it shifts your understanding from wine grapes to how botanicals and distilling create a totally different kind of flavor language. Even if gin isn’t your usual go-to at home, tastings like this help you notice things you’d otherwise miss—aroma changes, how botanicals show up on the palate, and how gin can be lighter or more structured depending on how it’s crafted.

If you’re a person who likes comparing styles, this timing is smart. You’ll have just had wine, so the difference is clear, and you’ll still be early enough in the day to feel fresh for the whisky portion later.

Old Kempton whisky: tour, tasting, and a lunch break (costs extra)

Then you reach the center of the spirits story: Old Kempton Whisky Distillery. Expect about two hours here, including a whisky distillery tour and a whisky tasting, plus a lunch stop.

Here’s the key detail for your planning: lunch costs aren’t included. The tour includes the lunch stop, but you’ll pay for your meal separately on the day (roughly $20, based on the tour info). I’d treat lunch as part of your day strategy. If you’ve tasted wine and gin already, sitting down to eat can be the difference between finishing happy and finishing a bit wobbly.

What makes this stop feel worth your time is the tour element. You’re not just sampling; you’re getting a guided look at how the distillery operates. That kind of context turns the tasting into something you can actually remember, instead of just a quick sip at a counter.

The old bridge and Pooley Wines in Coal River Valley

After Old Kempton, the tour makes another shift into wine country again. You’ll stop at Australia’s old bridge along the way, then continue to Pooley Wines in the Coal River Valley.

At Pooley Wines, you’ll get about 45 minutes and another wine tasting with admission included. This second winery stop is more than a repeat—it’s your chance to compare another part of Tasmania’s grape culture with fresh eyes. Different valley, different conditions, different winemaking decisions. Even in a short tasting window, you’ll usually get enough contrast to spot patterns.

The “bridge” stop also breaks up the day nicely. It’s one of those moments that helps you reset your energy between tastings, especially when you’ve been in the vehicle for stretches. Even if you don’t linger long, it gives the day variety.

Wicked Cheese Co: the late-day cheese tasting that rounds it all out

Later on, you’ll finish with The Wicked Cheese Co. for a dedicated cheese tasting (about 30 minutes, admission included).

This is a smart ending because it balances the whole day. Your earlier cheese platter at Derwent Estate helped you start strong, but this second tasting works like a finale—short, focused, and not tied to another alcohol category. If you want a calm, flavorful stop to close the day, this is it.

Also, cheese tastings tend to slow you down in a good way. You’ll spend time thinking about textures and pairing notes rather than racing to the next glass. It’s one of the reasons I think this itinerary doesn’t feel like a single long sampling session—it feels like a guided food-and-drink day with natural pacing.

Price and value: what $251.04 buys you in a 7-hour day

At $251.04 per person, this isn’t a cheap “drop in and taste a bit” outing. But for what’s included, it’s easier to judge it as value.

You’re paying for:

• Tastings throughout (wine, gin, and whisky)
• A cheese tasting plus an earlier cheese platter
• Distillery tours at the whisky stop (and a structured gin tasting)
• An air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water
• Pickup and drop-off within 5 km of Hobart CBD
• A small group experience (maximum 6)

If you tried to recreate this yourself—driving between multiple venues, booking tours, and organizing tastings—you’d spend far more than you expect, even before factoring in your time. What you’re buying here is convenience plus a guided “menu” of experiences.

The one cost item you should plan for is lunch. If you treat lunch as the only extra expense, the pricing feels much more predictable.

Who this tour suits best (and who might prefer something else)

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a taste-and-tour day rather than just wandering wineries on your own
• Prefer small-group attention
• Like the idea of tasting wine, gin, and whisky in one go
• Don’t want to drive between venues outside Hobart

You might want to think twice if you:

• Don’t enjoy alcohol tastings at all (this day is built around them)
• Get tired from back-to-back tasting stops and prefer slower, fewer-venue itineraries
• Have a tight schedule right after 4:30pm, since the day can shift by weather and availability

If you’re celebrating something or you just want a memorable sampler of South-East Tasmania, this hits the mark.

Tips to get the most from the day

Since tastings happen multiple times, your best strategy is simple: pace yourself and treat lunch as a reset. You’ll have the best experience if you’re curious and take time with each stop, not if you rush to finish the tasting flight quickly.

Also, because the order of venues can change, stay mentally flexible. A swap due to availability or weather isn’t a failure of the plan—it’s part of how the day stays workable.

One more practical point: if you’re sensitive to strong flavors or alcohol, consider arriving with some food already in your system and taking your time during gin and whisky. You’ll still enjoy the tastings, and you’ll feel steadier during the later stops.

Should you book this Wine, Gin & Whisky Tour from Hobart?

I’d book it if you want a structured, small-group day that covers three different categories of drinks—wine, gin, and whisky—plus cheese. The included tastings and the distillery experience help justify the price, and the pickup/drop-off makes it easy if you’re staying in or near Hobart CBD.

Book it with one caveat: plan for lunch costs on the day, and be ready to taste enough that you’ll need to pace. If you like guided tastings, you’ll have a really satisfying day without the hassle of planning multiple bookings yourself.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and when will I be dropped back?

The tour starts around 9:30am and you’ll be dropped back to your accommodation within about 5 km of Hobart CBD around 4:30pm.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is offered from your hotel or accommodation within 5 km of Hobart CBD.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is about 7 hours.

How many people are on the tour?

This activity has a maximum of 6 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

It includes all wine tastings, gin and whisky tastings, a distillery tour, a cheese tasting, bottled water, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

A lunch stop is included, but lunch costs are not included. The lunch cost is listed as approximately $20.

What venues are visited during the day?

You’ll visit Derwent Estate Vineyard, 7K Distillery, Old Kempton Whisky Distillery, Pooley Wines, and The Wicked Cheese Co. The order can depend on availability and weather.

Do I need a printed ticket?

You’ll use a mobile ticket.

Is there any cancellation flexibility?

Yes, free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour accessible for people who use service animals?

Service animals are allowed.