Region in Focus: Tasmania
Wine Tasmania recently held its annual Field Day, which was supported by Wine Australia’s Regional Program.
This year’s theme was ‘Yield and Profitability’, focusing on Tasmania’s low and variable yields that range from 3.7 tonnes per hectare to 8.5 tonnes per hectare. Understanding this variability is paramount to driving profitability of the mainly small vineyards in Tasmania.
Presentations were given around a range of topics, including yield from an agronomic sense to recent learnings from Canadian yield research. Case studies from Dr Andrew Pirie of Apogee Tasmania and James Aubrey from the Jansz Parish Vineyard were presented.
A highlight of the day was a presentation given by Dr Jo Jones from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture. Dr Jones presented research undertaken in Tasmania over the past few years, providing insights into the main drivers of yield variation.
A further three-year research project into yield is currently being undertaken in a partnership between Wine Tasmania and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, supported by the Tasmanian Government.
Following vintage this year, Wine Tasmania will present two more workshops, also supported by Wine Australia. The first will focus on linking soils to irrigation, as there is an indelible link between soils and irrigation; one irrigation practice for one soil type will not necessarily work for another type.
The second will focus on biodiversity, and understanding how it plays a role in producing a productive and profitable wine business, that will endure into the future.
Each of the activities has been identified through Wine Tasmania’s strategic planning to assist the island’s wine producers, including learnings from its new best management practice program, VinØ.