Tasmanian winemakers have concentrated on producing premium quality table wines. The two most popular varieties of grape grown are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are ideally suited to Tasmanian growing conditions. Over half of all vineyards in Tasmania are situated in the George Town and West Tamar municipalities, on either side of the Tamar River. Other vineyards are found around Launceston, Hobart and along the east coast.
Grape production for winemaking continues to grow as does the value of the wine produced. Over the last four seasons, the area of bearing grape vines has almost doubled. In 2000-01, there were 680 hectares of bearing vines in Tasmania; a further 245 hectares had been planted but were not yet bearing fruit. A record total of 4,974 tonnes of grapes were produced and almost all were grown for winemaking.
Four varieties of grapes accounted for just over 87% of all production: chardonnay (1,898 tonnes), pinot noir (1,883 tonnes), riesling (306 tonnes) and sauvignon blanc (260 tonnes). White grape production (2,676 tonnes) exceeded red grape production (2,298 tonnes).
VITICULTURE, Tasmania
|
 | Vines non-bearing | | Vines bearing | | Production |
| | | | | |
| Years ended 31 March | hectares | | hectares | | tonnes |
|
| 1997 | 143 | | 341 | | 1,497 |
| 1998 | 156 | | 379 | | 3,136 |
| 1999 | 211 | | 460 | | 3,121 |
2000(a)
2001(a) | 237
245 | | 524
680 | | 3,367
4,974 |
(a) Year ended 30 June.
Sources: Agriculture, Australia (Cat. no. 7113.0); Australian Wine and Grape Industry (Cat. no. 1329.0). |
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