Tasmania’s wine producers are gearing up for their most crucial and busiest time of the year, with harvest just around the corner and the signs are promising for the 2021 vintage.
In addition to the impending harvest, Wine Tasmania has launched a new guide to the Tasmanian wine sector and new vineyard signage.
Wine Tasmania CEO, Sheralee Davies, said: “The 2020 season was quite challenging, even prior to the impacts of COVID-19, so we’re looking forward to this vintage, with promising signs so far.
“With some time to go before all the island’s wine grapes are harvested, it’s looking like 2021 will see a return to solid volumes after a smaller harvest last year. Most importantly, quality is looking very good.”
After cellar doors reopened late last year, Davies said Wine Tasmania worked quickly to develop the 2021 Tasmanian Wine Guide.
“This year’s guide focuses on why Tasmania’s wine is so great, profiling some of the terrific and talented individuals growing grapes and making wine, as well as encouraging people to visit cellar doors across regional areas,” Davies said.
“It’s a great time for people to get out and visit our cellar doors, with plenty of vintage activity over the coming months.
“Most cellar doors have now reopened, following COVID-19 restrictions, but opening hours and offerings may have changed and capacity at some may be limited, so we’re recommending visitors touch base in advance.”
New vineyard signage is also being rolled out across the state, which Davies said will help remind visitors to keep out of vineyard growing areas.
“As highlighted in the 2021 Tasmanian Wine Guide, visitors to cellar doors can expect to see new signage reminding people to keep out of vineyards and to check with cellar door staff whether access is permitted,” she said.
“Microscopic pests or diseases can unknowingly be transported and could cause great damage to our precious grape vines.”
Copies of the 2021 Tasmanian Wine Guide are available from visitor information centres, airports, the Spirit of Tasmania, cellar doors or from Wine Tasmania. A digital version of the guide is also available on the Wine Tasmania website.