Tasmania’s wine industry has secured $1.5 million in state government funding to support growth and long-term sustainability.
Of this, $1.05 million will address workforce challenges and improve sustainability in winemaking and cellar door operations to meet high standards, including carbon positivity.
$450,000 will fund the Tasmanian Cool Climate Wine Research Hub, developed with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), to support research specific to Tasmania’s unique wine-growing conditions.
Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies said the investment would be pivotal in ensuring the industry’s growth remains sustainable over the coming decades.
“It will help progress important wine sector research priorities and … environmental and carbon initiatives, as well as access to technical support, education and training,” she said.
“The Tasmanian wine region is leading the country through its global profile, the high quality and value of its wine, visitation to its cellar doors, market-led growth, regional employment and investment.”
The industry is expected to play a major role in the government’s AgriVision 2050 strategy, which has the goal of increasing Tasmania’s annual farmgate value to $10 billion by 2050.
Davies said the sector could become the state’s leading economic driver in the next 10 to 15 years.
Primary Industries and Water Minister Jane Howlett said local wine producers are “simply excelling”.
“It has been a terrific year for the wine industry in Tasmania and this agreement to work with Wine Tasmania will drive growth and sustainability in Tasmanian wine production,” she said.
