Apply now for this all-expenses-paid Wine Tasmania trade visit

Wine Tasmania is currently calling on all Australian wine professions to apply for the upcoming November Tassie Wine Trade Visit, a program designed to encourage education and appreciation of Tasmanian viticulture. Ten spots have been made available for the 17-19 November trip, which will feature a two day holiday designed to showcase the very best of the state's wine producing sector.

“Visiting the island, with local wine producers as your guides, is the best way to explore the depth, diversity, personalities, styles, sub-regionality of its wines and the people behind these exceptional wines,” said Sheralee Davies, CEO of Wine Tasmania. 

“While Tasmanian wine has a big and growing reputation for its outstanding Sparkling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and more, its talented growers and makers are small in scale and Tassie wine can be hard to find.”

The opportunity comes at a time of growing momentum for the region, which grew 36% by volume and 51% in the Australian National Vintage Report 2024. 

Overall, Tasmanian growers received $3,146 per tonne, more than five times the national average of $613. Tasmania has also continued its year-on-year growth streak, which has seen the average price per tonne of grapes increase every year since 2019, bucking national trends that saw the harvest peak in 2021.

“After four low-yielding seasons in Tasmania, a return to solid volumes has been very welcome alongside excellent quality and will help Tasmania satisfy the ever-increasing global demand for its wines,” said Paul Smart, Wine Tasmania’s Viticulture & Winemaking Officer, at the time.

Applications for the ten available slots are open to all industry workers directly responsible for wholesale wine purchasing within their mainland-based restaurant, wine bar or wine retail business. Successful applicants will be awarded with an invaluable opportunity to interact and learn from Tasmania’s leading wine producers, along with having the chance to sample the state’s finest wines and food. 

According to Davies, the trip is a chance to “drink what we drink, eat what we eat, marvel at the scenery and wildlife, complain about the traffic (just kidding), and experience quintessential Tasmanian hospitality. 

“Not only does this island have some of the best wines on the planet, it also offers some of the best produce from every corner and microclimate (think truffles, seafood, honey, saffron, cherries, cheese and more).”

Applications are open now and can be made here up until 5pm Friday 27 September. Successful applicants will then be contacted by 4 October. Since its conception in 2010, the National Wine Trade Visit has successfully hosted more than 100 wine buyers in Tasmania with its most recent instalment taking place in May of this year.

“We love bringing wine trade visitors to the island, giving them a glimpse behind the scenes and into the lifestyle we’re privileged to enjoy,” said Davies. 

More information can be found on the Wine Tasmania website.