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About 40 minutes’ drive from downtown Hobart is the lesser-known Jordan Valley, a valley that the Jones family have been farming since 1818. Seven generations later they are settled at Broadmarsh and dutifully working the property, ‘Invercarron’.
As a young boy surrounded by thousands of merino sheep, Andrew Jones spent his spare time whacking golf balls into wide open fields. It would be decades later that he returned to Invercarron with his wife and children to become custodians and continue the family legacy. In recent years he has reimagined the possibilities of his childhood home. Yes, there are still plenty of sheep (around 3000 merinos) but these days the family also runs a thriving vineyard and inviting Picker’s Hut accommodation. INVERCARRON WINES With its cool-climate conditions and fitting locale between the Derwent Valley and Coal River Valley wine regions, Invercarron was ripe for grape growing. Selecting Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties, it would take the busy hands of three generations to plant the first vines back in 2017. Enjoying cool summer nights and reliable sunny days, the grapes ripened slowly and developed distinctive flavours. Today, this young vineyard is turning heads for its complex and elegant wines. Every bottle of wine can be traced back to the original Jordan Valley vine. When you book in for a stay at the Picker’s Hut, a bottle of award-winning Pinot Noir awaits. THE PICKER’S HUT The Picker’s Hut has its own story to tell. Originally built to house and train soldiers before they were whisked off to World War II, the hut has been meticulously transformed into a luxe country escape. Perched high on the sun-splashed hillside, The Picker’s Hut enjoys panoramic views across Invercarron’s working farm and Jordan River below. It feels a world away from city life but is an easy commute from some of the capital city’s finest eateries. Arrive to a delicious basket of locally produced goods including rustic sourdough, free-range eggs, homemade jams, and of course that bottle of estate Pinot Noir. With two thoughtfully appointed bedrooms, the hut accommodates up to four guests. The king bedroom can be arranged into two singles and features a deep bath with views out to rolling hills. Head out to the spacious deck with a glass of wine and fire up the barbecue for some outdoor dining, then cosy up by the stone fire and pull out a board game. Don’t feel like cooking? The Jones are more than happy to invite an in-house chef to prepare a five-course dinner that celebrates the region’s best. The Picker’s Hut is a short drive from some of Tasmania’s most sought-after experiences, including the subversive underground playground that is Mona, and the wilds of Mount Field National Park, home to some of the world’s tallest flowering plants. With Bonorong Wildlife Park nearby, a number of whisky and gin distilleries, along with the antique stores of New Norfolk, and cobble-stoned roads of historic Richmond, The Picker’s Hut is your ultimate countryside escape. 1329 Elderslie Road, Broadmarsh thepickershut.com.au invercarronwines.com.au [email protected] |