The cork has been officially popped at Launceston's newest wine bar Havilah.
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With a focus on celebrating Tasmanian wine and grower producers, the Charles Street business opened its doors to the public this week.
Havilah is the dream project for Launceston's Ricky Evans, the owner of wine label Two Tonne Tasmania, and business partner Chanel Parratt, who moved down from Sydney about two years ago to take up a position with Tourism Tasmania.
Ms Parratt said after spending 15 years holidaying in Tasmania and "coming down for air a couple of times a year" it was time she started living the lifestyle she had grown to love.
"Opening the bar is something we've been talking about doing together for a while. We were originally set to open late April, but COVID slowed the development down," she said.
"We're both so passionate about Tasmania, the wine as well as the food, but also don't want to shy away from showcasing what we find special from other parts of the country, and world.
"It's great for the local community and visitors when they can come again, to be able to put Tasmanian wine in context to other regions in the world."
Offering Tasmanian, Australian and international wine, Havilah also features a produce-driven continental food menu.
This includes a strong charcuterie offering built around sustainably produced Australian meats, Tasmanian and European cheese and fresh seasonal produce from local producers.
Ms Parratt said the wine bar also served as a shop, where people could come in and take home a bottle of something they might not have tried before.
"Our considered list covers everything from minimal intervention through to traditional method sparkling and champagne, with a soft spot for grower producers," she said.
"On Sundays, we also operate as a cellar door where guests can taste wines from Two Tonne Tasmania and Havilah made by Ricky."
Launched in 2013, Two Tonne gets its name from the couple of tonnes of pinot noir fruit that made up its first vintage.
For his efforts Evans was named the Young Gun of Wine People's Choice winner for 2016, and most recently made the top 50 for 2020.
- Havilah is located at 178 Charles Street.
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