An island off the southeast coast of the continent of Australia, covering almost 70,000 km² and one of the six federal states. There are three regions: East Coast Tasmania, Northern Tasmania and Southern Tasmania. The first vines were planted in 1823 by former convict Bartholomew Broughton (1796-1828) at Prospect Farm in Hobart in the south of the island. Viticulture developed well, but then there was a total decline. Around 1880 there was hardly a vine left and it stayed that way for about 80 years. In the 1950s, a renaissance was initiated by the Frenchman Jean Miguet. This Australian state has the coolest climate in Australia; the coldest area is Pipers River in the north-east of the island. There are three regions: East Coast Tasmania, Northern Tasmania and Southern Tasmania. The vineyards cover about 1,500 hectares and are among the southernmost vineyards in the world. Due to its cool climate, Tasmania plays a special role in the cool climate winegrowing of Australian viticulture.
The main towns on the island of Tasmania are Launceston and Rosevears in the north, and Geeveston and the capital Hobart in the south. The Tamar Valley Wine Route runs behind Launceston, mainly along the left bank of the Tamar River to Beaconsfield. It then runs in an easterly direction via Kayena and Rowella past the Batman Bridge on the right bank of the river to Pipers River and Pipersbrook, then in a southerly direction back to Launceston. More than 30 wineries have settled there since 1800. Around 40% of Tasmania's wine is produced here. The most important white wine varieties are Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris, the most important red wine varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
The climate, which is similar to that of the French Champagne region in the north, is ideally suited for acidic and aromatic white wines, which provide excellent base wines for sparkling wine production. The grapes are also delivered in large quantities to the states of South Australia and Victoria and processed there. Well known producers include Brown Brothers, Craigow, Domaine A - Stoney Vineyard, Elsewhere Vineyard, Freycinet, Heemskerk, Holm Oak, Jansz, Kayena Vineyards, Lalla Gully (owned by Taltarni), Lubiana, Marion's Vineyard, Moorilla Estate, Pipers Brook, Rhoterhithe and Spring Vale.
By -jkb- Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
