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WGCSA November Update

EcoVineyards workshops receive great reviews from attendees
McLaren Vale workshop at EcoGrower Sami Gilligans vineyard
The saying ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’ is resonating strongly with me this month.

Our first four EcoVineyards workshops have taken place over the past few weeks and it’s become overwhelmingly clear to me there’s a significant groundswell in regard to sustainable viticulture, balancing our ecosystems and building resilience.

We’ve been incredibly lucky to have had a diverse mix of experts presenting on a range of topics at workshops in McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Adelaide Hills and Barossa.  Each workshop has also had the benefit of hearing from Dr Mary Retallack and the local EcoGrowers who have happily shared their experiences to date and their EcoVineyards project ideas. Coonawarra and Clare EcoVineyards workshops will round out the inaugural events over the coming weeks.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with growers embracing the concepts and the changes they can start to implement on their own properties to build biodiversity. Interestingly, every grower I’ve spoken to has taken something different away from the workshops. Whether it’s what native vegetation to plant, how to prepare a site, what is a biodiversity action plan, identifying beneficial vineyard bugs or learning the value of microbats – there’s been something for everyone.

I’ve also been particularly happy to receive comments from growers who will no longer be planting roses at their row ends and instead will plant Christmas Bush (Bursaria spinosa for those of you gifted individuals who understand the scientific names). Then there was the grower who has a real fear of spiders but has promised to really try hard not to kill them in future - good luck with that challenge!  Remember every small step towards promoting increased biodiversity is a positive move in growing resilience in our vineyards.

I’m also thrilled to see the EcoVineyards project is generating significant state and national media interest. We’ve been profiled in The Advertiser, Stock Journal, Victor Harbor Times and more. Visit our EcoVineyards Facebook page to read all the stories and keep up to date with the latest news. 

Finally, a HUGE thanks to Doc Adams Wines, Kimbolton Wines, Ngeringa, Chateau Yaldara, Wynns Coonawarra Estate and O’Leary Walker for hosting us in your regions. Your generous support is enormously appreciated. I couldn’t be more grateful to have such amazing businesses and individuals offering up your facilities and time for our EcoVineyards project. 

As we head into the festive season, I encourage all our members and friends to grab a bottle or two from one or several of these fantastic wine producers and supporters of this amazing project - I know I will be!

Cheers,
Lisa Bennier
Business Manager

The EcoVineyards project is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program and by the Natural Resources Management Boards in each region through the NRM levy. 
In this issue

Average value of bottled exports hits new record

The value of Australian wine exports has continued to grow in the 12 months to September 2019, increasing by 7 per cent in value to $2.89 billion. Importantly, this period saw the average value of bottled exports reach a record $6.79 per litre and further growth in exports, particularly above $10 per litre free on board (FOB), to the United States of America.

Other positive milestones included the value of exports over $10 per litre FOB reaching the $1 billion mark for the first time, continued growth in exports to China and encouraging growth in exports to the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, South Korea and Belgium.

Export volumes decreased 8 per cent to 774 million litres (86 million 9-litre case equivalents); the climb in export value and the decline in volume meant the average value increased 16 per cent to $3.74 per litre, the highest level since 2009.
Read More

Get to know our EcoGrowers!
Get to know the growers who are taking part in our EcoVineyards project in our series of interviews. 

We ask growers about their experience in grape growing, what made them choose to be a part of the EcoVineyards project and what they think the future of wine grape growing will look like. Their answers are fantastic, we encourage everyone to have a read. 

More interviews will be added to the site soon, check back to see the latest stories.
Read More

SAWIA Getting read for Vintage 2020 seminars

Did you know you can save up to 30% with smarter rostering this vintage? 

Join SAWIA at an upcoming workshop to find out how.

Managing wages costs,  migration requirements and Chain of Responsibility obligations are essential throughout the year, but even more so during the busy vintage season with additional and often new employees working extended hours. 

Tailored to assist wine industry employers in preparation for the 2020 vintage season, this briefing covers all you need to know about wages and awards, how to best manage your employment costs, engaging contractors and working holiday makers and comply with your Chain of Responsibility obligations. 

WGCSA members can attend for SAWIA member rates. 
 
Briefings in held the following locations:

  • Barossa Valley: Thursday 28 November
  • McLaren Vale: Thursday 5 December
  • Coonawarra: Tuesday 10 December
Learn More

Australian Grape & Wine newsletter

Don't forget! WGCSA members whose principal business is wine grape growing are members of Australian Grape and Wine.

If your principal business is grape growing and you would like to receive the newsletter directly and vote at general meetings, send an email to laura@agw.org.au.

Digital system has the potential to reduce production costs
Image source: Wine Australia

Riverland grapegrowers have just completed road-testing the first stage of a digital vineyard guidance system that aims to save on production costs, particularly in labour and operating expenses.

A collaboration between Riverland Wine and University of Adelaide engineers, scientists and economists, the system uses a range of agricultural technologies including sensing, connectivity and data analytics, to assist prediction and decision making.

The project emerged from a 'Hack Fest' held between Riverland growers and a team of academics with expertise in engineering, computer science, robotics and viticulture in 2018, which was then piloted for six months this year.
Read More

Can you beat 5000 plants pledged to our native plants goal of 20,000 by 2020?

Wow! Janet from Ngeringa pledged 5000 native plants to our goal of planting 20,000 native insectary plants in and around vineyards by 2020! This pledge puts the Adelaide Hills way out in front of other SA wine regions. 

Are you planning on planting some native plants? Pledge them here: https://www.wgcsa.com.au/pledge-your-plants.html

Let's smash this goal together!
Pledge your Plants!
Copyright © 2019 Wine Grape Council South Australia, All rights reserved.


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