Tasmania ramps up its fine wine message

Wine Tasmanian has unveiled a range of activities to reward, recognise and promote wine trade representatives and venues from Tasmania and interstate.

Wine trade representatives have been invited to participate in a series of events and promotional activities this spring, including a major national trade visitation program, new-release wine tasting events, revitalised Tasmanian Wine List of the Year awards and the Tassie Wine Stars event.

After a challenging period for many businesses, Tasmanian wine producers are looking forward to reconnecting with wine buyers and thanking them for their support.

Sheralee Davies, Wine Tasmania CEO, said: “Our wholesale wine buyers - for both restaurants / wine bars and retail outlets around the country - are major supporters of our Tasmanian wine businesses.

"We know the past 18 months has been particularly difficult for our friends in hospitality, who have nonetheless continued to demonstrate strong support for local wine producers, and we want to thank them.

"Tasmanian representatives are being invited to participate in our national wine trade visitation programs for the first time, with four visits being hosted in September and October.

"We've also announced two tastings for local wine trade to enjoy new release wines from Tasmania and interact with their growers and makers at Tamar Ridge on August 30 and MONA on September 6."

Davies said the Tasmanian Wine List of the Year Awards were also back in 2021, with all Tasmanian venues that stock local wines encouraged to submit a nomination - with wine retailers now eligible to enter as well as restaurants/wine bars/cafés etc.

“A  'people’s choice voting campaign’ will promote finalists and encourage visitation to selected venues, with the winners being announced at the Tassie Wine Stars awards night in late October,” she said.

"Tasmania produces some of the world's best wines; pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling wines in particular."

For more information and to apply, visit www.winetasmania.com.au/trade-update.

Members of the public, meanwhile, can attend the Great Eastern Wine Week program which runs from September 3-13. 

This year marks the seventh year with the event expanding from a weekend to just over a week in 2021, with a total of 50 events. The festival is recognised as a significant contributor to the state’s regional tourism economy and is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.

“As we enter our seventh year, we are immensely proud of our achievements in promoting not only the wine but the excellent diversity of regional produce, experiences, chefs, cooks, caterers, providores, restauranteurs and communities of the East Coast," says Glenn Travers, chair of the East Coast Wine Trail from Craigie Knowe Vineyard (top). 

"From humble beginnings in 2015 when the Great Eastern Wine Weekend was a concept developed by RACT Destinations and Freycinet Lodge, Great Eastern Wine Week has evolved into a ‘must do’ wine and food festival, positioning the East Coast of Tassie as one of Australia’s aspirational wine and food destinations.” 

For details see https://eastcoasttasmania.com/great-eastern-wine-week