The Tasmanian Government has pledged $600,000 in funding to Wine Tasmania over the next four years to help drive the value and global reputation of Tasmanian Wine and its associated tourism.
Wine Tasmania’s CEO Sheralee Davies has welcomed the Government’s support and said that it will help the State to drive the global demand for its wines.
“The Tasmanian wine sector conservatively contributes $115 million annually to the state’s economy, placing it in the state’s top ten sectors. It has experienced strong and steady growth over many years, across vineyards, wineries and cellar door / wine tourism offerings,” Davies said.
“The Tasmanian wine sector has deliberately focused on growing demand for our high quality wines, which has generated growth in wine supply. This has contributed to Tasmania’s position as one of the highest value wine regions, and it is critical that we continue to drive global demand for Tasmania’s wines.”
Currently Tasmania produces just 0.91 per cent of Australia’s total wine grapes, but represents 4.37 per cent of the value and Davies added that the funding will help with growing recognition and tourism of Tasmania’s wines.
“The Tasmanian Government support will facilitate the Tasmanian wine sector growing its differentiated reputation and value in key markets and driving high value visitation to the state’s cellar doors,” she said.
Currently 95 per cent of Tasmania’s wine is sold domestically and Wine Tasmania said that this will continue to be a major focus of promotional and wine tourism activities. In addition the funding means that there will be an expanded focus on activities in key international markets of the United Kingdom, United States of America and Hong Kong.
Wine Tasmania said that these markets have been identified as those offering the greatest potential outcomes for Tasmania and its wine producers in terms of value per litre of wine, tourism numbers and yields and broader Tasmanian export success and opportunities.