Vineyards tap new East Coast tourist drive

VINEYARDS on Tasmania’s East Coast are about to get a whole lot more publicity as part of a new coastal wine drive along the Tasman Highway.

East Coast Tourism has teamed up with the region’s wineries to deliver the East Coast Wine Drive along the Tasman Highway.

Signage will be erected at eight cellar doors to attract locals and visitors as part of the initiative, which will be launched about May 27.

The project forms part of the Great Eastern Drive and will include signage at Devil’s Corner, Spring Vale, Milton Vineyard, Gala Estate, Freycinet Vineyard, Craigie Knowe Vineyard, Priory Ridge and White Sands Estate cellar doors.

East Coast Tourism chief executive Ruth Dowty said the group began working on the signage, which is part of the region’s Destination Action Plan, with the cellar doors a few months ago.

“The East Coast commun- ity is working together as a win destination,” she said.

“People will have the chance to see the wineries, not just the towns, on the East Coast.”

Devil’s Corner cellar door supervisor Kylie Lorenz said the initiative would help the vineyard stay connected with other fellow businesses along the East Coast.

“It’s about recognising the fact we’re a wine region now,” she said.

“It’s a way of connecting all of [the vineyards].

“People are coming to the East Coast from all over the world.”

She said the cellar door was excited by the launch.