Calling hospitality businesses in Tasmania

Hospitality venues in Tasmania are being encouraged to support the local wine industry and enter the 2023 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year Program.

Now in its sixth year, the Wine List of the Year program was initiated to recognise the contribution by the island’s restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs and wine retailers in promoting local wines and their producers.

"While our island’s wine is overwhelmingly supported by locals, wine is deeply intertwined with the visitor experience too," said Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies.

"During the 12 months to March 2023, 24% of all visitors to Tasmania called into a cellar door during their stay, reflecting the importance of our wine to the overall visitor offering."

Submissions for the 2023 awards program are now open, with the key requirement being that venues stock and promote local Tasmanian wine as a part of their overall offering.

Four key award categories recognise venues in Launceston, Hobart and regional areas, in addition to a category focused on small but high-quality wine lists.

The overall Judges’ Choice award is then chosen from these four winners, while the People’s Choice award will invite the public to vote for their favourite venue from a list of finalists.

"Through the Wine List of the Year program, Wine Tasmania seeks to celebrate those venues that go the extra mile to share what it is that makes Tassie and its wine so awesome," said Davies.

"Our many small Tasmanian wine producers value the support of their friends in local hospitality and retail businesses and we look forward to promoting the finalists and award winners in 2023."

The overall winner will also gain direct free entry into the Australia-wide Wine List of the Year awards.

Tasmanian on-premise and off-premise licensed venues - regardless of size - are encouraged to nominate at winetasmania.com.au/wloty2023 by October 2, 2023.

Finalists will be announced and the People’s Choice voting campaign will commence from October 9, with the winners scheduled to be announced on November 13.

# The writer is a member of the judging panel for these awards.