Let’s raise a glass to our vintage crop

TASMANIA’S growing reputation for world-class wine has more mainland companies trying to get in on the action.

SUNTAS: Red Wine Weekend at Princes Wharf.

TASMANIA’S growing reputation for world-class wine has caused a spike in attempts by mainland companies to get a slice of the action.

As a record crowd turned out for the Tasmanian Red Wine Weekend in Hobart today, grape growers said they had been flooded with calls from interstate wineries wanting to buy fruit or “left-over” juice.

Buyers have politely been told “you’re dreaming”, as local companies struggle to meet demand for their own product.

With Adelaide company Shaw + Smith picking up the Best Australian Red trophy at London’s International Wine Challenge for its Tasmanian 2013 Tolpuddle pinot, the calls will only keep coming.

“The big demand is for pinot noir,” Bream Creek Vineyard owner Fred Peacock said.

“We are getting very solid inquiries from the mainland, especially South Australia and Victoria.”

He said the industry welcomed investment by highly regarded companies such as Shaw + Smith, which had its own vineyard in Richmond and shared the state’s commitment to super-premium wines.

“The companies that say ‘can you supply 15 tonnes of pinot?’ and the raw product leaves the state with no flow-on employment in the state, that’s really not very attractive to Tassie,” Mr Peacock said.

Wine Tasmania chief Sheralee Davies said buying grapes was often a “toe in the water” for interstate companies.

“I think it’s great to have this interest and demand, which supports the increasing value of our wine grapes,” Ms Davies said.

“For some wine producers, accessing fruit from Tasmania is the first step in making more of a longer-term commitment.”

RELATED: TOLPUDDLE VINEYARD TAKES OUT AUSTRALIAN RED WINE OF YEAR

Derwent Valley grower Gerald Ellis said he was adding another 10.5ha of plantings to his 38ha Meadowbank vineyard to meet demand for pinot noir, shiraz, gamay and riesling.

“One company called in February just before vintage wanting 60 tonnes of chardonnay,” laughed Mr Ellis, whose total chardonnay production was about 90 tonnes, all of which went to local winemakers.

“They know we’re tiny and they’re prepared to pay the price, but they still think they can get 60 tonnes.”

The Red Wine Weekend attracted 1200 to Hobart’s Princes Wharf Shed 1 today — more than twice last year’s crowd.

Rebecca Bateman-Green, from Sandy Bay, said she had tasted several of the 64 wines on offer.

“You can’t beat a Tassie pinot,” she said.

The event continues tomorrow.

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