The East Coast vineyard was announced today as Roberts Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year for 2017 and will host a field day for the wine industry on May 18 as part of the award.

Milton Vineyard, on the Tasman Hwy north of Swansea, was established in 1826 and initially farmed for fine Tasmanian wool, but now also produces cool climate wines.

This Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania (RAST) initiative was set up to promote a high level of viticultural management, which forms the foundation for production of great wines.

Vineyard manager Henry Dunbabin said this was the second year Milton Vineyard had entered the RAST awards and after winning the medium category last year.

Milton Vineyard picked up the top award this year after expanding its operations with a further six hectares of vines.

“The judges were impressed with our budgeting and planning for the new vineyard and our vineyard management that produced good quality fruit,” Mr Dunbabin said.

“We are very honoured to win. It’s good to see we’re following the right plan,” he said.

Milton Vineyard was established by Mr Dunbabin’s parents Kerry and Michael Dunbabin 25 years ago.

“It’s good to have their hard work recognised,” he said.

The new vines will produce fruit from 2019 and until then the Dunbabins plan to consolidate their efforts and are considering further development, such as a cellar door.

Entries were judged over two rounds by wine industry experts – Frank Walker from RAST, industry representative Fred Peacock, Paul Smart from Wine Tasmania and last year’s winner Alex Van Driel from the Tea Tree Clover Hill Vineyard – who decided on the best managed vineyard.

“Milton Vineyard managers Michael and Henry Dunbabin aim to produce premium grapes for quality wines,” Mr Walker said.

“With close attention to nutrition, pest and disease control they have produced quality fruit from pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot gris, gewurztaminer, riesling, pinot meunier and shiraz vines across a 13-hectare vineyard,” he said.

The judges were impressed by the vineyard’s record-keeping, nutrition program and how its canopy management technique supported optimum commercial yields of fruit.

“The Dunbabins have made a point of having a fertiliser program that ensures nutrient balance by replacing those used by the developing vines and the grapes harvested. Comprehensive soil test and petiole data provide a sound basis for determining the fertilisers required for the various blocks,” Mr Walker said.

“In recognising the favourable property environment, the Dunbabins are realising the full potential of the property with their viticultural enterprise,” he said.

The field day at Milton Vineyard in May gives industry representatives a chance to see the vineyard and hear about Milton’s viticultural management procedures.

Register for the field day at www.hobartshowground.com.au