Let’s Do Lunch

Josef Chromy Wines makes a leisurely lunch feel like part of the visit, not just a meal at the end of it. You begin among the winery’s gardens, then taste wine at the cellar door before sitting down to a two-course lunch with matched pours.

I like two things in particular: the tasting gives you a chance to try several local wines before lunch, and the pairing makes the Tasmanian produce part of the experience rather than an afterthought. The setting adds another pleasure, with vineyard views and gardens that include a small pond.

The main caveat is pace. One diner reported a long wait between courses, so do not plan a tight schedule afterward. You will also need to arrange your own transport to Relbia.

What makes this lunch worth considering

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• A 30-minute cellar-door tasting comes first: You can sample the winery’s wines before choosing how to enjoy the matched pours at lunch.
• The gardens are part of the visit: Take a stroll through greenery and past a small pond before sitting down to eat.
• Lunch has two courses and wine pairings: The meal features Tasmanian produce, with wines selected to match.
• You can make a day of the setting: Vineyard views and a restaurant described as hatted lend the meal a special-occasion feel.
• You need to plan your own ride: The winery is at 370 Relbia Road, outside Launceston’s centre, and transport is not included.

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Start with the gardens at Relbia

Josef Chromy Wines sits at 370 Relbia Road in Relbia, near Launceston. The experience starts in the winery grounds, where you can stretch your legs and take in the gardens before heading inside. The grounds are described as established in 1881, with greenery and a small pond in the distance.

That first stroll is more than a pleasant prelude. It gives you time to arrive at a gentler pace, enjoy the setting, and make the visit feel like a winery outing rather than a restaurant booking. Vineyard views are part of the appeal, too, particularly if you are coming from Launceston for a slower afternoon.

There is no guided garden walk mentioned, so think of this as time to look around at your own pace, not a formal tour with commentary. The weather will not stop the activity, as it operates rain or shine. Still, a little rain can make a walk less inviting, so casual clothes and shoes you are comfortable walking in are sensible.

Taste at the cellar door before lunch

The first scheduled part of the experience is a 30-minute wine tasting at the cellar door. That is a useful amount of time to sample a selection without turning the visit into a full winery tour. The tasting gives you a chance to compare the wines and get a feel for what the house produces before the paired lunch begins.

The staff are part of what can make this stop work well. Diners have described them as friendly and helpful, and one account singled out the range of local wines and their distinct character. You can ask questions and take your time, though no specific wines or tasting lineup are guaranteed.

This is not a wine-only outing: the tasting is included with the two-course lunch package. If you are interested in wine but do not want to build a whole day around winery visits, the format offers a compact introduction followed by a meal. Alcohol is served throughout the experience, and participants must be at least 18.

Sit down to a two-course Tasmanian lunch

After the tasting, you move to the Josef Chromy restaurant for a two-course lunch. The meal is described as featuring fine Tasmanian produce, with wines matched to the dishes. That pairing is the centrepiece of the package: you get to see how a wine works alongside food, rather than simply ordering a glass and hoping for the best.

The restaurant is described as hatted, and the meal is intended to feel polished without demanding formal dress. The dress code is casual, so you can come straight from a day exploring the region. The menu itself can change, and the sample menu directs you to check the current two-course lunch menu before booking. If you have dietary needs, enter them at checkout so the restaurant can be told in advance.

The two-course format suits a relaxed lunch while leaving the rest of your day open in principle. But do not treat the scheduled meal as a quick stop. One diner reported waiting 1.5 hours between courses, a clear warning for anyone with a hard departure time. That may not reflect every service, but it is wise to keep your afternoon flexible and avoid booking a tight connection afterward.

A three-course option has been mentioned as an upgrade for an extra payment of about $15, but that price may not apply now. Check the current menu and options if you want a longer meal. The package described here includes two courses, not three.

How the wine pairing changes the meal

The matched wines are included, so you do not have to make a separate choice for every course. That is convenient if you are new to Tasmanian wine or simply prefer to let the kitchen and winery handle the combinations. It also helps make the price easier to assess: the package covers both the tasting and the paired lunch, rather than charging for a meal alone.

If you already know the winery’s wines, the tasting still gives you a chance to sample a broader selection before lunch. If you are less familiar with local wine, notice how the paired pour changes the taste of each dish. You need not be an expert to get something from that comparison.

The package is not a free-flowing wine lunch, and no number or size of matched pours is specified. It is best to think of the wines as part of the meal pairing, with a separate tasting at the cellar door at the start. If you are driving, plan carefully around the alcohol served. The experience does not include transport.

Is the price good value?

The package is listed from US$94.95 for Lunch with Wines, while the experience summary gives a starting price of $104.45. Prices can be displayed differently across booking pages or currencies, so check the total shown for your chosen date before you pay.

For that price, the package combines a 30-minute wine tasting, a two-course lunch, and matched wines in a winery setting. If you value the grounds and the tasting as well as the meal, it is more appealing than comparing it with the cost of a restaurant lunch alone. The convenience of having the food and wine pairing arranged is part of the value.

The price will feel less compelling if you are not interested in wine or do not plan to spend time in the gardens. You are paying for the setting and the tasting as well as the food. Transport and personal expenses are extra, so account for getting to and from Relbia when comparing this with other Launceston activities.

Getting there and setting aside enough time

The meeting point is Josef Chromy Cellar Door, 370 Relbia Road, Relbia TAS 7258. The listed start times are 12:00, 13:00, and 14:00. Arrive 10 minutes before your selected time, and allow more time in your day than the tasting and two courses might suggest, especially if you have somewhere else to be afterward.

Transport is not included. By car, the stated route is to head southwest on Quarantine Road/C403 toward Gilmont Close, turn left onto Hobart Road/C402, then left onto Relbia Road/C411. The destination is on the right. If you are not driving, arrange a ride in advance rather than assuming a car will be easy to find after lunch. One diner described staff helping to arrange a cab, but that is not a guaranteed service.

Your voucher is valid only for the selected date and time, and you can present it on your phone. If you need to cancel, the stated terms offer a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local destination time.

Who will enjoy Josef Chromy’s lunch

I would choose this experience if you enjoy wine, care about food pairings, and want a relaxed half-day stop near Launceston. It also suits couples or friends looking for a special lunch where the gardens and vineyard setting are part of the occasion. You do not need deep wine knowledge to enjoy the tasting, but some interest in wine will make the package more worthwhile.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a guided winery tour, a fast lunch, or a plan with transport built in. The experience described here focuses on the gardens, a cellar-door tasting, and a two-course restaurant meal. It does not specify a vineyard-production tour, a guide, or a transfer from Launceston.

Should you book this winery lunch?

Book it if you have a flexible afternoon and want a meal that combines Tasmanian produce, matched wine, and time in the grounds. The strongest reasons to go are the tasting before lunch, the paired courses, and the setting. If you have a strict schedule, are not keen on wine, or would rather not arrange transport, another Launceston activity may be a better fit.

FAQ

Where does the experience take place?

It takes place at Josef Chromy Cellar Door, 370 Relbia Road, Relbia TAS 7258, Australia.

What is included in the package?

The package includes a wine tasting and a two-course lunch with matching wines.

How long is the wine tasting?

The cellar-door wine tasting lasts 30 minutes.

What start times are available?

The listed start times are 12:00, 13:00, and 14:00.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before your scheduled start time.

Is transport included?

No. Transport and other personal expenses are not included.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. Participants must be aged 18 or older because alcohol is served.

Can I tell the restaurant about dietary requirements?

Yes. You should indicate any special dietary requirements at checkout.

Does the experience operate in bad weather?

Yes. It operates in all weather, rain or shine.

What should I wear?

The dress code is casual.