Tasmania is renowned around the world for the exceptional quality of its wine. To safeguard and strengthen the state's reputation, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) is part of a new collaborative program to support sustainable growth of the wine sector and position the state as a leader in cool-climate wine research.
Identified as a priority by the Tasmanian wine sector, the Tasmanian Cool Climate Wine Research Hub will undertake research to improve vine productivity, wine quality and sustainable industry growth.
A joint plan has been developed by TIA and Wine Tasmania, with the sector securing $450,000 in funding from the Tasmanian government.
The Hub will seek to develop international research partnerships to enhance the visibility of Tasmanian wines, to share knowledge and build Tasmania's reputation as a specialist for cool-climate wine research.
Project lead, TIA Research Fellow, Dr Harriet Walker said the hub will help support the future of the Tasmanian wine sector.
"Targeted research and extension can help wine grape growers improve their viticulture management practices, and this project has been set up to support sustainable industry growth," Dr Walker said.
"The program will successfully engage the Tasmanian wine industry and international partner organisations through a process from determining the research priorities to implementing and developing trial designs.
"Research trials will double as demonstration sites for industry development and will be co-developed with growers to maximise the opportunities for extension and adoption of research outcomes.'
"It's hoped the research and demonstration will help maintain the success of the wine sector in Tasmania."
The aims of the project include having an improved understanding of issues that influence the environmental sustainability and climate resilience of wine grape growing.
It's also hoped the research hub will provide more opportunities and management options to support growers to make better vineyard management decisions by increasing their knowledge of vine productivity, floor management and soil health.
Over the longer term it's hoped the research hub could lead to increased productivity through improved soil health, improved profitability through grape and wine quality and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers and herbicides.
Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies has welcomed the new partnership with TIA to assist Tasmanian wine businesses.
"Based on strong global demand for our wine, changing consumer preferences and a changing climate, the Tasmanian wine sector is continuing to experience strong growth. Modelling commissioned by Wine Tasmania indicates that wine production will quadruple over the coming 10-15 years to become the state's most significant economic contributor," she said.
"It is therefore critical to both accelerate demand for Tasmanian wines around the world, as well as to support wine grape growers to manage their vineyards in our challenging and variable climate through access to the latest research and tools.
"We look forward to partnering with TIA to elevate Tasmania's reputation as a cool climate wine research specialist for the benefit of the Tasmanian wine community."
