Tasmanian winemaker Matthias Utzinger opens new Legana winery and cellar door

A worldwide search to establish a vineyard ended up with Matthias Utzinger also finding his soulmate, a Tassie girl. The acclaimed winemaker is also opening a new cellar door.

Utzinger Wines owner Matthias Utzinger at his new Legana winery and cellar door. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

After travelling the world in search of the right place to establish a vineyard and finding love with a Tassie girl along the way, acclaimed winemaker Matthias Utzinger is set to open his new cellar door at Legana.

The new wine estate is situated on 6.8ha overlooking the Tamar River, of which 1.6ha is dedicated to cultivating clones of pinot noir, chardonnay, some sauvignon blanc, and syrah.

Matthias Utzinger and his wife Lauren said they instantly fell in love with the winery site, which is just a short 15-minute drive from Launceston. Picture: Supplied

The Swiss winemaker and his wife Lauren said they instantly fell in love with the site, which is a 15-minute drive from Launceston.

“We were just blown away by the feel of the place,” Mr Utzinger said.

“The views up and down the river and the proximity to water, which is a big one for me as I always think the best vineyards are close to water.

“We just fell in love with the place.”

Utzinger Wines is situated on 17 acres overlooking the Tamar River, of which four acres are dedicated to cultivating clones of pinot noir, Chardonnay, some sauvignon blanc, and Syrah. Picture: Supplied

The winery offers guided tastings or the option to pair your wine with a selection of Swiss and Tasmanian cheeses and snacks.

For the more hardcore oenophiles, there is a 1.5-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the winery and vineyard where Mr Utzinger will answer any and all questions you may have about the winemaking process.

“Being Swiss, I can’t look past cheese,” Mr Utzinger said.

“I don’t think you can beat a Gruyere with a lovely, creamy Chardonnay.

“So we will have some Tassie and some Swiss cheeses on offer, so we kind of bring that part of our story into the cellar door.”

Implementing organic methods in his vineyard, Mr Utzinger emphasised the importance of creating habitat for beneficial invertebrates and other native wildlife.

“Being organic is quite important for us. We live on-site, this is a working farm, and it’s home for my family and me, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable spraying synthetic sprays around here,” he said.

Utzinger Wines owner Matthias Utzinger at his new Legana winery and cellar door. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

“And about 10 per cent of the property has been set aside to preserve intact native grass, and an additional 15 per cent had been planted with trees and plants to support the native animals present.

“They were here first so we try and not disrupt them too much.”

The winery and cellar door will be open from 11am to 4pm every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from October 24, located at 5 Upper McEwans Rd, Legana.

Bookings are required to visit and can be made online at Utzinger Wines’ website.

Originally published as Tasmanian winemaker Matthias Utzinger opens new Legana winery and cellar door