Don’t Forget Your Tassie Wine This Christmas
Buy Local Christmas Campaign 2025 – Tasmanian Irrigation

The festive period wouldn’t be festive without a few bottles of Tasmanian wine on the table, according to Spring Vale Vineyard Managing Director Tim Lyne.

Tim and his family, who first planted grapes on their east coast farm near Cranbrook in 1986, encouraged all Tasmanians to support local vineyards this Christmas.

“There’s nothing like a Tassie sparkling for breakfast on Christmas Day, followed by a crisp Tasmanian Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc with the BBQ’d prawns for entrée, an elegant local Pinot Noir with the roast turkey and duck, and of course something sweet and sticky to accompany the Christmas pudding.

“Rosé for me is the ideal afternoon beverage of choice, and then perhaps an aged Pinot Noir to finish off the day with left-over ham and other meats.”

The Freycinet Coast is the driest part of the State, with an average rainfall of 550mm. That’s why the Lyne family rely so heavily on Tasmanian Irrigation water across their 31.6 hectares under vine, which is planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Shiraz and Gewurztraminer.

Tim has a 100-megalitre water entitlement from the Swan Irrigation Scheme and his water usage demand is higher in early spring when he protects his vines from frost and in February and March just before vintage.

He said high-surety irrigation water had underpinned a great deal of expansion and value adding in the region, as well as created jobs and grown communities.

“Our cellardoor has benefited greatly from the increase in east coast tourism, and our opening months have extended from four to 10,” Tim said.

“We have regular wine dinners, concerts and events on site, giving more people the opportunity to taste our premium cool-climate wines and connect with our story, which dates back to 1875 on this property.

“Irrigation is key to our grape growing and winemaking success, ensuring we can consistently produce intense varietal wines, expand our area planted to vines with confidence, employ additional generations in our family business and continue to grow our cellardoor and on-farm events.”

There are now more than 2,000 hectares planted to vines in Tasmania, which accounts for one per cent of the nation’s vineyard but far more in terms of value.

“Tasmania is cementing itself as one of the world’s best places to grow premium cool climate grapes and we are so appreciative of how much support we get from Tasmanian consumers and restaurants,” Tim said.

“We hope everyone can enjoy a glass or two of Tasmanian wine during the festive holiday period.”

For more information and to purchase Spring Vale wines, visit Spring Vale Vineyard & Cellar Door - Tasmania's Premier East Coast Winery.

For more information about the Swan Irrigation Scheme, please visit Swan Valley - Tasmanian Irrigation