Locals and tourists enjoy Tasmanian tipples

ALMOST half of all Tasmanian wine is consumed in the state, according to a producer survey.

Wine maker Anna Pooley at their wine making plant at Cambridge. Tasmanians consume almost 50% of local wine produced in Tasmania. Picture Nikki Davis-Jones

ALMOST half of all Tasmanian wine is consumed in the state by enthusiastic locals and an increasing number of interstate and international visitors, according to a producer survey.

Almost 100 of Tasmania’s 160 licensed wine producers only sell their wines within the state.

Wine Tasmania chief executive Sheralee Davies said estimates from producer surveys reveal about 42 per cent of all wine produced in Tasmania is sold here.

“Off-island markets are also growing, with our national and international profile of great importance in continuing to drive interest in our wines and visitation to our cellar doors,” Ms Davies said.

“Our wine and food is among the top motivations for visits to Tasmania.”

Ms Davies said the provenance story of Tasmania’s vineyards attracts visitors to cellar doors.

“Visitors can meet the people behind the wine, find out why they do what they do and enjoy the whole Tasmanian experience of beverages, food, scenery and people,” she said

“However, it’s important that Tasmania continues to grow its global reputation, so as we can collectively encourage more and more people to visit Tasmania.”

Winemaker Anna Pooley, from Pooley Wines, said the Tasmanian industry was at a changing point.

“It’s an exciting time, more producers are investing in making their own wines and Brand Tasmania is getting better known globally,” Ms Pooley said.

“There is more local investment, more knowledge, all working to make better wine. And consumers are becoming more informed of that.”

Pooleys Wines has a cellar door at Richmond, but also believe it is important to have a presence in key interstate markets to grow their profile.

“We have now tripled our wine club member numbers.”

Many wine producers are choosing to have a mix of channels to promote and sell their product.

Pressing Matters at Tea Tree, has a focus on an interstate profile with an active wine club and online shop, and the cellar door is only open by appointment.

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