Tas Wine Sector sustainable growth and climate adaptation

The Tas Wine Sector Sustainable Growth and Climate Adaptation project was established to support climate-responsive and sustainable growth in Tasmania’s wine industry. With wine production in the state projected to increase by up to 392% over the next decade (Wine Tasmania, 2023), there is an urgent need to develop pathways that mitigate risks associated with rapid expansion—such as oversupply of low-value grapes, water scarcity, and land degradation.

To address these challenges, the project focused on developing a practical resource to support on-farm experimentation (OFE) and enable producers to lead their own trials and make informed decisions based on real-world data. Effective OFE accelerates the adoption and adaptation of practices and technologies that improve business profitability, sustainability, and climate resilience.

Led by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), the project developed and launched the Producer Led Trials guide. Co-created with wine businesses and informed by participatory research and case studies, the guide provides vineyard managers and technical service providers with a straightforward framework for conducting in-vineyard trials. It is designed to be scalable and applicable across a wide range of crops and production issues.

Beyond the guide, the project strengthened connections between research, industry, and extension networks. It contributed to the development of the Tasmanian Cool Climate Wine Research Hub, laying the foundation for future climate-resilient viticulture initiatives. The project also aligned with existing efforts supported by the Tasmanian Government’s Agricultural Development Fund (Project ADF001), including Wine Tasmania’s annual Field Days and long-term strategic vision for 2040.