Tasmanian vineyard Josef Chromy makes very good wine, so it might be thought Malcolm Turnbull would get to try a drop or two when he dropped in on Friday.
Not at all.
"It's not appropriate to be feeding alcoholic beverages to the prime minister before lunch," joked winemaker Jeremy Dineen.
In fact their prize example, a 2011 chardonnay judged the best in the world, sold out within days.
Mr Chromy, who arrived penniless with no English from Czechoslovakia soon after World War II, says the prime minister has tried his wines in Canberra and reported very favourably.
In his campaign stop, Mr Turnbull was pushing the benefits of free-trade agreements for Tasmanian producers as he inspected a selection of quality honey, cheese, meats and seafoods at the winery.
Accompanied by Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo, Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck and local MPs, the prime minister said trade export deals had been a huge driver of growth in Tasmania.
The government planned to open up even more markets to exporters.
"We are surrounded here today by enterprising Australians, enterprising Tasmanians, storming the big markets of the world with the best food and wine in the world," he said.
Mr Dineen said his winery now sold about 35,000 cases a year, of which 13 per cent was exported.
There are plans to lift exports to about 25 per cent and free-trade agreements were a useful enabler.
"It helps. The biggest thing for us at the moment is export assistance and inward journalist or key trade visits which are largely supported by Tourism Tasmania, Brand Tasmania or Wine Australia," he said.
This being Tasmania the inevitable protesters - a pair of Wilderness Society members - turned up as Mr Turnbull inspected grape vines.
One was dressed as a colourful but critically-endangered Swift Parrot.
"Save the swift parrot," it egged the distant and oblivious PM.
"Would you like a cuddle? It's a nice warm cuddle, probably the last you will get from a swiftie."
Share
