November 2025

Stargazer Opens First Dedicated Tasting Room in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley

Coal River Valley, TAS: Stargazer Wines has officially opened a dedicated tasting room on its estate vineyard in the Coal River Valley. The opening marks a significant milestone for winemaker and owner Samantha Connew, who founded the label in 2013 after being drawn to the region for its cool-climate conditions reminiscent of her native New Zealand.

Coinciding with the opening is the release of the 2025 vintage estate-grown Palisander wines — a single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Riesling sourced from the now five-hectare vineyard that the tasting room overlooks.

The intimate and architecturally designed space reflects Connew’s bespoke, small-batch approach to winemaking. Seating just 12 guests, it has been designed to host one-hour, guided tasting experiences around a handcrafted communal table. Three guided tastings will be held per day, and the tasting room will also host special events, including collaborative dinners.

Before founding Stargazer, Connew had already built an impressive reputation across Australia and abroad. She was Senior Winemaker at Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale, later managed Tower Estate in the Hunter Valley, and served as Manager of the Hunter Valley Node for the Australian Wine Research Institute. A formative vintage in Oregon, USA, ignited her enduring passion for cool-climate viticulture — now the hallmark of her Tasmanian wines.

“Opening this tasting room is a very personal achievement for me,” said Sam Connew. “Much of my earlier career centred on achieving consistency, but Stargazer has been about embracing the nuances of site, season and variety. This space is an opportunity to bring those stories to life and share them firsthand with the people who enjoy our wines.”

Bookings are essential for the intimate tastings, held Friday through Monday at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Guests can reserve via the Stargazer website, with tastings priced at $35 per guest. Members of the Constellation, Palisander and Explorer Clubs enjoy complimentary visits.

Bookings: stargazerwine.com.au
Location: 37 Rosewood Lane, Tea Tree, Tasmania

Ends

Photo Credit: Adam Gibson

About Stargazer Wines
Founded by winemaker Sam Connew in 2013, Stargazer is a small-batch Tasmanian label based in the Coal River Valley. The wines reflect a deep respect for site, sustainability, and craftsmanship, with the Palisander range crafted from Stargazer’s estate vineyard. Connew has built Stargazer into one of Tasmania’s most compelling wine stories — defined by precision, personality, and place.