Wine Tasmania is inviting selected Australian wine trade representatives to visit the island across four separate visits in September and October this year.

The annual Tasmanian wine trade visitation program, now in its seventh year, was paused in 2020 due to COVID-19. This year the program is back – COVID-willing – with an increased total of 48 places available for successful applicants.

After an extremely challenging period for many, Tasmanian wine producers are looking forward to reconnecting with wine buyers and thanking them for their support.

“Our wholesale wine buyers – for both restaurants/wine bars and retail outlets around the country – are major supporters of our Tasmanian wine businesses,” said Sheralee Davies, Wine Tasmania CEO.

“We know the past 18 months have been particularly difficult for our friends in hospitality, who have nonetheless continued to demonstrate strong support for local wine producers. We want to thank them and share with them a little of our Tasmanian lifestyle after far too long between being able to catch up face to face.

“Tasmania produces some of the world’s best wines, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines in particular. Our wines taste even better when enjoyed in Tasmania accompanied by our outstanding local produce, and we look forward to welcoming wine trade representatives to experience this for themselves.

“We’re delighted to expand the visitation program in 2021 to four visits, to open applications up to all previously-hosted wine trade visitors over the past seven years, as well as offer places in each of the visits for local Tasmanian wine trade to join their interstate counterparts for the first time.”

The visitation program presents a unique opportunity for wine and hospitality professionals interested in exploring and learning about all that Tasmania has to offer.

The extensive itineraries include two days exploring the best of Tasmanian wine, food and tourism experiences, covering flights, accommodation, transport.

The program will visit both the south and north of Tasmania on respective visits, with tastings including wines from across the island’s seven winegrowing areas.

Participants will be selected on a competitive basis, with brief applications involving the completion of a short questionnaire.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel to select the 2021 participants, and successful applicants must be available to travel across four Monday and Tuesday dates in September and October, pending travel restrictions at the time. Applications close on 20 August 2021.

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