Thursday, January 23, 2025

CATEGORY

Wine

Inversion puts Peter in illustrious company

Serena Kirby. One of Denmark artist Peter Usher’s paintings has been selected for Leeuwin Estate’s Art Series wine labels. Peter joins the ranks of other leading Australian artists to appear on the labels that includes works by John Olsen, Arthur Boyd, Sir Sidney Nolan, Robert Juniper and Clifton Pugh.

Organic success from wine exit

Christine Webster. Riverland West certified organic horticulturist Bruce Armstrong is creating a niche market for his produce supplying wholesalers and customers in Adelaide, Melbourne, and the region ... "It usually took about 12 to 18 months to make an income from the organic wine, and this is why we started growing the organic vegetables," Mr Armstrong said.

Wine industry code changes a ‘fair ask’?

Introducing rules surrounding earlier indicative pricing and accepted tonnages would benefit Riverland wine grape growers, according to senior local politicians in attendance at a recent industry inquiry ... Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said suggested changes surrounding a mandatory code – including the earlier release of indicative prices – would provide growers with more business certainty before annual vintages.

Riverland visit missing from China wine tour

Hugh Schuitemaker. Local senior politicians are feeling "left out in the cold" after Chinese wine buyers failed to make a direct visit to the Riverland during a South Australian tour. The State Government last week hosted a delegation of Chinese wine buyers that visited regions including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said the value of Riverland wine to the state’s economy meant the region should have featured in the tour.

Chaperon Wines now at Golden Nugget

Boutique Chaperon Wines, made in small batches to the highest quality, are now available at the Golden Nugget Restaurant in Maldon. The exclusive wines are produced entirely by hand at Grangehill Vineyard from varietals including shiraz, grenache and mourvedre ... Russell studied wine-making at TAFE, worked at other wineries and learned under mentors...

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...

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.

Lovell calls for stop to solar farm in wine country

The proposed Cooba Solar Project will cover a massive 665 hectares of some of the best wine country in Victoria with 740,000 solar panels and 300 batteries the size of shipping containers. There are over 30 wineries along the Heathcote-Rochester Road that bring a constant stream of tourists to the area ... The area is prime agricultural land, with high-quality soil that is particularly suited to grape-growing ...

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.

Rosenthal Wines – A perfect blend of wine and friendship

There’s many elements that go into creating a good wine and it’s the winemaker’s job to blend them together to create the perfect drop.  WA’s Rosenthal Wines’ winemakers are themselves a special blend because they’re not just winemakers and business partners - they’re also best friends. Coby Ladwig and Luke Eckersley first met 25 years ago when they were at Uni. 

Local politicians say satellite-mapping plan for frost damage is missing the mark

Hugh Schuitemaker. A State Government plan to utilise satellite imagery in assessing frost damage to Riverland grape vines has "missed the mark" for growers needing support, according to senior local politicians ... Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said local industry representatives had completed satellite imagery of frost-damaged areas.

Gone: Riverland Wine pair resign amidst wine crisis

Two leading figures at Riverland Wine – which was criticised by several members earlier in 2024, amid a disastrous year for many growers – resigned last week. Executive officer Lyndall Rowe and grower engagement officer Charles Matheson ended their paid roles with the advocacy body last Thursday. Representing over 900 local growers and around 30 wineries, Riverland Wine had been accused of a lack of action during the current industry crisis...

Western Australia hosts first Chinese wine mission since tariffs lift: Punch

Regional Development Minister Don Punch has welcomed the first inbound Chinese wine trade mission to Western Australia since the lifting of wine tariffs earlier this year, with delegates set to tour the Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions this week ... WA will host 11 premium wine buyers from 10 Chinese companies from 29 September to 6 October 2024, with a focus on premium wines, and specific interest in wines of WA provenance.

Local MP welcomes Senate inquiry into winegrape industry

A decision last week to establish an inquiry into Australia’s winegrape and processing market has been welcomed by Liberal Barker MP Tony Pasin, who says the current supply and demand imbalance is "devastating" the Riverland. The Senate agreed to refer the issue – which impacts the 2000 wineries and 6000 grape growers across the nation’s 65 wine regions – to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 28 February 2025.

Calls for frost support

Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland’s state MP is among political figures calling for the State Government to support local wine grape growers who have experienced severe crop damage from frost ... Barker MP Tony Pasin said increased support was needed to ensure primary producers could sustain through ongoing weather challenges.

Frost and lost

Hugh Schuitemaker. Riverland grape growers have been left devastated by last week’s frost damage, which has been described by some as the worst they can remember. Ongoing low temperatures, which saw -2.2C recorded in Renmark ... caused extensive damage to vines across the region ... 919 Wines director and winemaker Eric Semmler said approximately 98 per cent of his Glossop vineyard was lost.

Grape growers preparing for ‘devastating’ frost damage

Sebastian Calderon, Hugh Schuitemaker. A senior local wine industry figure says some Riverland grape growers will experience "devastating" damage to vineyards from frost conditions. The Riverland recorded its lowest-ever Spring temperatures on Monday night and Tuesday morning, after near-zero temperatures were also seen last week.

Celebrating Coonawarra’s world-class wine at regional festival: Bettison

The Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations’ program launched today at the National Wine Centre. From 1-20 October, festivalgoers will enjoy a range of degustation dinners, masterclasses, tastings, winery tours, and more. Festival highlights include the Coonawarra Golf Day, Pizza and Tunes at Raidis Estate, the International Cabernet Masterclass, as well as the longstanding Combined Wineries Cabernet Decade[nce] Tasting hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons Association.

Crucified

Hugh Schuitemaker. A Riverland grape grower has begun pulling his vines – describing it as a "nightmare" – amid uncertainty surrounding prices and a lack of supportive industry action. Renmark West-based grower Ray Hartigan, 80, said he could no longer justify the impacts of poor economic returns.

New round of vine resting trial begins: Scriven

A new round of a vineyard resting trial that enables red wine grape growers to save up to $2,000 per hectare in input, water, and management costs, has opened today. The new trial will provide growers additional time to make diverse business decisions as the state’s wine industry continues to experience an oversupply of red wine grapes, following challenging market conditions and changing global preferences.

Liberal Party discuss plan for wine industry support – understand and listen

Hugh Schuitemaker. Riverland wineries to expand export opportunities would be an aim if the Liberal Party was successful at the next Federal Election, according to senior local politicians. Barker MP Tony Pasin last week toured Angove Family Winemakers, in Renmark, with federal opposition spokesperson for trade and tourism, Kevin Hogan, and Riverland-based MLC, and opposition spokesperson for regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti.

All categories

About ARR.NewsACTAdvertisementAFLAgingAgricultureAquaculture & fishingARR.News eventArtsAthleticsBankingBasketballBeefBiodiversityBook ReviewBowlsBuilding & ConstructionBusinessCarbonCharityClimateCommunicationsCommunityConflictCottonCouncilCraftCricketCyclingDairyDams & waterDanceDroughte-commerceEducation & trainingEmploymentEnergyEngineeringEquestrianEventExhibitionFamilyFarmingFederal politicsFeedFertiliserFestivalFilmFireFishingFloodFloraFoodFood & BeveragesFootball NetballForestryGardeningGoatsGolfGrainsHealthHealthHistory & heritageHockeyHorticultureHospitalityIndigenousIndustry reportsInfrastructureInland waterwaysInternationalInternationalInterviewInvasive speciesLand & environmentLaw & orderLetters & responsesLifeLiteratureManufacturingMarineMediaMedia ReleaseMeet the publishersMilitaryMilitary historyMiningMotorsportMurray RiverMusicNew ReleaseNewsNewsletters - SportNSWNTOpinionOut nowOut now - Archive - April 2021Out now - Archive - April 2022Out now - Archive - April 2023Out now - Archive - April 2024Out now - Archive - August 2020Out now - Archive - August 2021Out now - Archive - August 2022Out now - Archive - August 2023Out now - Archive - August 2024Out now - Archive - December 2020Out now - Archive - December 2021Out now - Archive - December 2022Out now - Archive - December 2023Out now - Archive - December 2024Out now - Archive - February 2021Out now - Archive - February 2022Out now - Archive - February 2023Out now - Archive - February 2024Out now - Archive - January 2021Out now - Archive - January 2022Out now - Archive - January 2023Out now - Archive - January 2024Out now - Archive - January 2025Out now - Archive - July 2021Out now - Archive - July 2022Out now - Archive - July 2023Out now - Archive - July 2024Out now - Archive - June 2021Out now - Archive - June 2022Out now - Archive - June 2023Out now - Archive - June 2024Out now - Archive - March 2021Out now - Archive - March 2022Out now - Archive - March 2023Out now - Archive - March 2024Out now - Archive - May 2021Out now - Archive - May 2022Out now - Archive - May 2023Out now - Archive - May 2024Out now - Archive - November 2020Out now - Archive - November 2021Out now - Archive - November 2022Out now - Archive - November 2023Out now - Archive - November 2024Out now - Archive - October 2020Out now - Archive - October 2021Out now - Archive - October 2022Out now - Archive - October 2023Out now - Archive - October 2024Out now - Archive - September 2020Out now - Archive - September 2021Out now - Archive - September 2022Out now - Archive - September 2023Out now - Archive - September 2024PaintingPerformancePetsPhotographyPicnic RacesPlaguepoetryPoliticsPopulationPoultry and eggsPowerProfilePropertyQldRacingRailReligionResearchRetailRoadsRowingRugby LeagueRugby UnionRunningSASailingSaleSculptureSheepShowsSoccerSoilSportState politicsSteelSugarSupply chainSurfingSwimmingTalkiesTasTechnologyTennisTheatreTimberTourismTradeTransportTravelTriathlonUncategorisedVicVolunteeringWAWaterWeatherWebinarWildlifeWineWoolYouth