2025 Tasmanian vintage looking good, so far!

With the 2025 Tasmanian wine grape harvest currently underway, Wine Tasmania has issued an urgent reminder of the risk that smoke poses to wine producers.

Vineyards are particularly susceptible to smoke exposure, which can be devastating for the island’s wine producers, who have worked tirelessly over the past year to manage their vineyards through to harvest time.

Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies said that the remaining harvest period over the coming weeks is crucial.

“Despite an early start to harvest and recent warm weather pushing the 2025 vintage towards its conclusion, some later-ripening grape varieties and vineyards are still being harvested, particularly in the cooler parts of the state. Reports so far point to another vintage of exceptional quality in 2025 and a welcome return to higher than usual yields, which will help to satisfy the growing global demand for the island’s excellent wines.”

“One of the greatest concerns for wine producers while they are still harvesting their precious grapes is the potential impact of smoke from nearby fires. We are encouraging any Tasmanians planning to light a fire on their property in the days and weeks ahead to first communicate with nearby vineyards. Having a discussion with your neighbouring vineyards about how far along they are with harvesting their grapes and when to safely light a fire without causing inadvertent damage may be all that is needed to safeguard this year’s vintage.”

If you are planning to light a fire, you can get in touch directly with nearby wine producers to discuss proposed timing, progress on harvesting and potential risks. You can also contact Wine Tasmania on 03 6223 3770 for further information and details of nearby wine producers or contact the TFS on 1800 000 699. Further information on wine grapes and smoke is available at https://winetasmania.com.au/firemanagementandvineyards or by contacting Wine Tasmania.

Further information: Sheralee Davies, Wine Tasmania’s CEO, or Paul Smart, Wine Tasmania’s Viticulture & Winemaking Officer on 03 6223 3770.