Coal River’s first commercial vineyards started appearing in the 1970s making Coal River a somewhat recent addition to Australia's wine industry. The few, small-scale wineries that do operate in the area are taking advantage of the environment around them with the cool and dry conditions, producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling, all Tasmanian specialties. Running from the hills north of Hobart to the coast. Here, the hills offer protection from the predominant westerly weather systems as well as giving the vineyards a lush and fertile area of rivers and farmland alongside Tasmania’s cool climate serves the Coal River Valley very well. The areas natural beauty and close proximity to Tasmania’s main centre, Hobart, has made it an obvious choice for wine tourists.