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August Update

Why it's important to register your details

The South Australian Grape Grower Industry Fund (SAGGIF) is being reviewed as required by legislation. The voluntary levy is calculated at $1 per tonne of grapes sold.  

The 
SAGGIF ensures that SA wine grape growers’ interests are strongly represented at a state and national level. 

Grower representatives who make up the Wine Grape Council of SA are recommending a change to the way contributions are calculated to update to the fund and reflect changes in the industry. 

Why register?

If you register, you will receive information to explain the proposal and details on how to vote. We need all growers to u
pdate their details on our website using data from Vintage 2018 
 
Only those who register are eligible to vote.

Not sure if you are eligible to vote? Visit the registration page for examples of membership. 

Registrations close at 5pm on Friday August 31. To register, click the button below. 

If you have problems or questions - please ring me on 0419 039 508 or email admin@wgcsa.com.au

Cheers,

Lisa Bennier
WGCSA Business Manager
Register Here
In this issue

Grape prices rise 4% across South Australia in Vintage 2018

Wine Australia released the 2018 Vintage Report with good news for grape growers. The average purchase value per tonne increased across the state by 4 per cent from $680 in 2017 to $710 per tonne in 2018.

The total estimated value of the crush was just under $590 million in 2018 compared with $658 million in 2017, reflecting the decrease in tonnes felt by most regions. 

The total reported crush of South Australian winegrapes in 2018 was 747,361 tonnes. This was a decrease of 13 per cent compared with the above-average 2017 reported crush of 863,279 tonnes. The crush was just above the 10-year average (2008-2017) of 739,572 tonnes.

The top three regions by volume in 2018 were the Riverland with 60 per cent of the crush (447,410 tonnes), Barossa Valley including Barossa zone other with 8 per cent (56,970 tonnes) and Langhorne Creek with 6 per cent (44,695 tonnes).

Most regions had reported decreases in tonnes crushed, including the Barossa Valley (down 21 per cent), Langhorne Creek (down 24 per cent), McLaren Vale (down 19 per cent) and Clare Valley (down 17 per cent). Regions in the Limestone Coast incurred particularly large reductions, with Wrattonbully down 52 per cent and Padthaway down 48 per cent.

Looking at the top varieties for each region and it was McLaren Vale Shiraz, Clare Riesling, Riverland Chardonnay and Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon that achieved the best price increases. Particular mention
to Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon which reached its highest value since 2003. 

Weighted average prices decreased slightly for Barossa Shiraz and Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. 

To read the full 2018 Vintage Reports click the button below.
Read More

Wealth of free resources available to growers on the WGCSA website

Have you visited the WGCSA website lately? It is a treasure trove of useful resources for South Australian wine grape growers.

Not only have we just uploaded the 2018 South Australian Winegrape Crush Survey report but you will also find reports for individual wine regions across the state.

We have also collated a variety of resources covering employment, workplace health and safety, pay rates, grape purchase agreements, selling your grapes interstate along with tractor licensing 
and much more!

Need help with Employment or Workplace Health & Safety? Don't forget as a member of WGCSA you have access to – at no additional cost – an advisory service on any issue relating to the employment and safety of workers with the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA). Find out more here or give SAWIA a call on 8222 9277.

The website also has links to AWRI Fact Sheets, video interviews with market leaders and profiles of the grape growers who make up the Wine Grape Council of SA. 

Click the link below and check out the website for yourself. If there's some info you would like to see us add to the site, send us an email at admin@wgcsa.com.au.
Visit the WGCSA website

Managing dry winter conditions

With the drought taking over headlines at the moment it's important to recognise that many of Australia's wine grape growing regions have received less than 40% of their normal winter rainfall this year.

The AWRI has released an eBulletin to help growers manage dry winter conditions - click the link to read more.

Read More

Under-vine cover crops show their value

Image - Cover crop trial at Nuriootpa. Source: Wine Australia

A 4-year study that has highlighted the value and importance of planting cover crops below vines to support the soil and suppress weed growth.

At four sites in four distinct South Australian regions, annual pasture legume and grass cover crops generated yields and financial gross margins equivalent to or greater than the herbicide controls – with the added bonus of helping to repair soils damaged by too much of the old routine.

Click below to read the full story on the Wine Australia website.

Read More

2018/19 AWRI Webinars released

The AWRI has released five sessions to launch the 2018-19 webinar program. Registration via the AWRI website is now open!

First up, the AWRI's Josh Hixson reveals the vineyard and winery drivers associated with
formation of aged characters in Riesling. The next four webinars address the latest in biosecurity news, use of antitranspirants as a tool to help combat vintage compression, global supply and demand trends in key export markets and compounds responsible for 'apricot' aroma in white wine.

Each webinar includes a presentation and an opportunity for audience members to ask questions and is held on a Thursday at 11:30 am Australian Central Standard Time (Adelaide, GMT+09:30). All AWRI webinars are free to attend.

Copyright © 2018 Wine Grape Council South Australia, All rights reserved.


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