Inside this issue:

Contractor Profile – Woodstock Forest Service
Woodstock Forest Service is a silvicultural contracting and management company based in Lilydale, Tasmania, The company was originally established to provide contract labour to Tasmanian Forest Resources (based at what is now Gunns’ North Mill on the Tamar river). Originally the company ran a crew of 6 men which undertook planting and fertilising work, but has expanded into a professional operation employing over 80 people. Woodstock Forest Service enjoys a close working relationship with Gunns Limited, providing a wide range of services to the company in both plantation and native forest management.

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
The Government has released a ‘Green Paper’ (July 2008) stating its intention is to implement a ‘Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme’ in 2010. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will, for the first time, place a limit, or cap, on the amount of carbon pollution industries can emit. The Kyoto rules exclude forests established prior to 1990 and treat the carbon stored in felled trees as if it had all been released into the atmosphere at that time. The Government believes these accounting rules are not an appropriate reflection of reality - carbon stored in wood products should be recognised in international agreements. Australia will, therefore, increase its efforts to influence changes to the international climate change framework in ways that reflect Australia’s particular circumstances. If the carbon stored in harvested wood products is recognised our Woodlot Growers may benefit by being entitled to 50% of the proceeds from the sale of any carbon credits from the plantations.

Tasmania, the Home of Pinot Noir
Tasmania is starting to develop a reputation for great Pinot Noir’ according to Jeni Port of The Age. In a recent article she pointed out that this is not only coming from Tasmanian’s but from others in the wine industry.
The newly formed Wine Communicators of Australia, an independent association of wine professionals, held a tasting in Melbourne and Sydney recently and the theme was, “Is Tasmania Australia’s home of Pinot Noir?”
Its popularity was supported when both Julian Alcorso (Winemaking Tasmania) and Andrew Pirie (Pirie Estate, Pirie South & Tamar Ridge) presented just how far Tasmania has come in the quality end of Pinot Noir in Australia, in sold out events in both Melbourne and Sydney.

Tamar Ridge Awards
Decanter Trophy
Tamar Ridge Estate’s 2007 Sauvignon Blanc has been awarded the Decanter Trophy judged in conjunction with the London International Wine Fair. This recognizes the best Sauvignon Blanc from Australia.

Matthew Dukes
Matthew Dukes is a respected UK wine writer who among many other things produces a yearly publication of 100 Best Australian Wines. The Tamar Ridge 2007 Sauvignon Blanc was selected for inclusion in the 2008 edition.

Kellie Hoffman – From Forestry to Vineyard
Kellie has been employed with Gunns since the purchase of North Forest Products in 2001, with a background in accounting / administration with both the Forestry & Commercial export departments. She transferred to Tamar Ridge Estate’s vineyard in May 2004 and started at the White Hills vineyard in July 2006. In September 2007 she became Manager of the White Hills, Rosevears and Entally House vineyards.

Grower Field Days 

Woodlot:
23rd October 2008 & 12th February 2009

Winegrape:
24th October 2008 & 13th February 2009

Walnut
27th October 2008 & 16th February 2009

For previous issues of the Gunns Plantations Newsletter, visit the archives.