State government commits $2.5m to wine industry recovery program: Woefully inadequate?
Hugh Schuitemaker. State government politicians have been invited to witness ongoing impacts of frost and industry challenges on the Riverland wine industry, following the announcement of a support program that has left senior local MPs "frustrated" … Tim Whetstone said direct state government consultation with Riverland growers impacted by recent frost, and other industry challenges, had been lacking.
Growers met to seek frost damage solutions
Sebastian Calderon. Riverland grape growers gathered last week to tour some of the frost-damaged vineyards at Loxton, aiming to discuss new approaches to manage the weather events, while also voicing opinions with Riverland Wine representatives regarding unknown grape prices. The meeting started at Peter and Michelle Hill’s Loxton North property...
Work underway on Bookmark Creek upgrades
Hugh Schuitemaker. Upgrade works taking place at infrastructure along a major local creek is set to benefit native fish species and Riverland outdoor enthusiasts. The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) recently commenced upgrade works on Bookmark Creek infrastructure.
Green light for merger
Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland’s State MP says a planned corporate merger involving Accolade Wines needs to remain focused on sustainability within the local wine industry. Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWL) last week announced the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had granted merger clearance for the combination of Accolade Wines with Pernod Ricard’s Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine businesses.
It’s war over SA environmental flows
Hugh Schuitemaker. The State Government says the Riverland’s wildlife and plant species are seeing benefits of increased environmental water, however, senior local politicians have described the announcement as "misleading" ... Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said the increased environmental flows were due to high storage volumes and the 2022-23 flood event.
Temperance is at the top
A community-owned Riverland hotel’s restaurant was cemented among the best culinary destinations in the state at a recent major industry award event. Hotel Renmark’s Temperance restaurant last week won the best country restaurant award at the 2024 Australian Hotels Association SA Awards for Excellence, with executive chef Hugh Hazelwood also being named Chef of the Year.
Ups and downs of Salena sale
Hugh Schuitemaker. A 5c on the dollar return for unsecured creditors of Salena Estate, in the wake of the winery’s sale, is "another devastating blow" for the Riverland wine industry according to senior local politicians. Salena Estate creditors last week approved a sale of the vineyards, winery properties and equipment to an entity associated with China’s Tianyu Wool.
The right way to achieve our goals?
Riverland-based MLC, and opposition spokesperson for regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti, has provided the following speech she gave in Parliament regarding concerns for the listing of the Lower Murray as a threatened ecological community as part of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999…
