Tasmania

Tasmania lies 240km south off the coast of Victoria, an island in the midst of a vast ocean, with New Zealand to the east. It has a wet, windy climate, and is largely covered in rainforest. Although vines were planted even before those of South Australia, they disappeared and vines were not replanted until the 1960s.

It’s a mountainous island, and the smallest of the Australian states. There are numerous mountain ranges, and the topography is often more akin to New Zealand, than Australia, as is the weather. Similarly , in terms of grape varieties, the real potential lies with those that do well in New Zealand – Sauvignon blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The majority of the vineyards are based on the lower mountains slopes, close to the cities of Hobart and Launceston. Vineyard plantings and production have increased by 300% in the last decade, as Australia and the world start to realise the potential of Tasmania. >/p>