Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer

The Riverland’s State and Federal MPs say an initiative promoting the resting of vineyards will have little benefit for the economic health of local wine grape growers.

The State Government last week announced a rebate – of $40/hectare – for Riverland wine grape growers to rest red wine vineyards, through the use of the chemical Ethephon, for the 2026 vintage.

However, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said it was now too close to the upcoming harvest for resting to provide tangible economic benefit.

“What I’m hearing from local growers is that this announcement has come about six-to-nine weeks too late,” Mr Whetstone said.

“The right time to spray was over a month ago, so to offer a rebate now isn’t helping them make any important decisions about next year’s vintage.

“Vineyard resting is only a short-term solution for an oversupply issue that we’ve been facing for several years in a row.

“The Government is patting itself on the back for doing less than the bare minimum for growers, with no sign of ever delivering the no-to-low interest loans they need for structural adjustment.”

Barker MP Tony Pasin said growers transitioning to other crops would be more effective in tackling the continued wine oversupply.

“All this does is kick the can down the road,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Federal and State Government must confront the reality that we have a structural oversupply of wine grapes in Australia and globally.

“Providing rebates for chemicals that put vines into dormancy will do nothing to address the fundamental issue, that governments need to work with industry to find ways to support growers to transition to alternate crops.

“It’s about time that the Federal and State Governments heeded my calls to provide meaningful financial support to assist growers to transition or exit with dignity.”

Riverland-based MLC, and opposition spokesperson for regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti said “Riverland Wine and the Wine Grape Council of SA have been advocating for months for this rebate to be reinstated, (so) to finally get approval only after the opportunity has passed is incredibly frustrating for growers who needed timely decisions, not delays”.

“Some growers who applied Ethephon early may be able to claim the rebate retrospectively, but that is cold comfort for those who were waiting on government advice to guide their decisions,” Dr Centofanti said.

“Once again, this government has been too slow, too out of touch, and too focused on process over outcomes. Growers are pleading for crisis meetings and certainty so they can plan for the future, yet the government shows no urgency and little understanding of the real pressures facing the Riverland.”

A State Government media release on the matter said SARDI, Riverland Wine, and The Australian Wine Research Institute delivered a range of resources to provide information to growers considering resting vines for the 2025-26 growing season.

Research demonstrated the application of Ethephon was “highly effective to reduce yield to the point where harvest was not required”.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said “SARDI research has shown that resting vines prevents waste of unharvested fruit in vineyards and mitigates risks with associated pest and disease pressures”.

“Grape growers across South Australia have expressed concerns with managing their vineyards in the face of oversupply,” Ms Scriven said.

“I encourage them to look at vineyard resting and accessing the Ethephon rebate to reduce those costs.”

Wine Grape Council of South Australia CEO Lisa Bennier said “with the rebate now available, we hope uncontracted growers will consider resting their vineyards to reduce costs”.

“This support is a positive outcome for South Australian grape growers,” Ms Bennier said.

“We appreciate the government’s continued backing during these tough market conditions.”

For further information on the vineyard resting trial, or to apply, visit the website (www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/primary-industries/vineyard-resting-rebate).

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 26 November 2025.
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