New figures from the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation show exports have dropped by more than 10pc in the past year - the exchange rate blamed for the fall.

But WIT executive officer, Stuart Nettlefold, says Tas producers are largely shielded from the rising dollar because most of its wines are consumed in Australia.

"South Australia and Victoria and Western Australia do have a very strong export focus, and there are a couple of brands here in Tas that do as well, but probably not to the same degree as other mainland states," he said.

* Extract from a full report in GrapeGrowers & Vignerons magazine.