Wine Grapes

2024 Vintage Report reveals a downward crush

DECREASED red wine grape production in the Riverland has followed a recent downward trend. The 2024 National Vintage Report has revealed grape harvest numbers have continued a declining trend, with the crush result of 1.73 million tonnes falling...

Staff Contributors

August 2024

Wine Grapes

Ashley’s glass-half-full approach to drying racks

WINEGRAPE drying racks left behind at a vineyard in the Riverland will result in a new wine added to a special range for Ricca Terra winemaker Ashley Ratcliff. Despite not looking to purchase a vineyard at the time, when Ashley and his wife Holly...

Elyse Armanini

June 2023

Wine Grapes

Burge wines showcase the best of the Barossa on the world stage

THE Burge name is a Barossa legacy, through and through. Take a drive through the region’s winding roads, and you’ll find their vineyards dotted all across the Valley’s sprawling landscape. But their passion transcends state borders and...

Kayla Den Hollander

June 2023

Autumn Update

Industry Expert: Adrian Hoffmann - WGCSA Region Two chair

Our second industry expert from our autumn 2023 edition of SA Farmer. Wine Grape Council of SA Region Two chair, Adrian Hoffmann, speaks about the 2023 vintage, grower optimism and fruit quality. Will it be a later vintage in the Barossa this year?...

SA Farmer

March 2023

Ag News

Managing heavy vehicle risks this vintage

VINTAGE is a notoriously busy time. SA wine businesses are being reminded about heavy vehicle use and safety ahead of the 2023 vintage. Last year 1.73 million tonnes of grapes were picked and crushed around Australia and almost all of that fruit was...

SA Farmer

March 2023

Ag News

Disease and price challenges on cards for Riverland growers

AN increased potential for vineyard diseases and uncertainty surrounding prices are among the issues facing Riverland wine grape growers ahead of the coming vintage.

Staff Contributors

February 2023

Ag News

Podcast series supporting grape grower wellbeing

A NEW podcast series aims to support South Australian grape growers’ mental wellbeing, with a different focus in each episode and real-life stories of challenges and triumphs. Healthy Minds Healthy Vines is a podcast made by growers for growers...

SA Farmer

January 2023

Industry Expert Update

Industry Expert: Adrian Hoffmann - WGCSA Region Two chair

Our third industry expert from our summer 2022 edition of SA Farmer. Wine Grape Council of SA Region Two chair, Adrian Hoffmann, speaks about the wet conditions facing growers, the 2023 vintage, red varieties and vine health.

SA Farmer

December 2022

Ag News

Wine industry among business groups concerned about IR Bill

THE wine industry is among a group of South Australia’s leading business organisations calling for the Senate to reject controversial parts of a federal industrial relations Bill. Last Friday, November 11, the House of Representatives passed the...

SA Farmer

November 2022

Wine Grapes

Estimating wine grape yield made easy

For wine grape growers estimating yield is one thing but whether that end ups accurate is another. Perhaps, until now. Barossa Valley viticulturist Amanda Mader said current methods for accurately tracking grape yield for global demand and wine...

Vanessa Rose

October 2022

Ag News

Delays in grape ripening results in more flavour

RESEARCHERS at the University of Adelaide have discovered the best methods of delaying grape ripening, leading to better quality and more flavoursome wine. The research was published in Horticulture Research, titled ‘A systematic review and...

SA Farmer

September 2022

Spring update

Adrian Hoffmann, WGCSA Region Two chair

How is the wine quality from the 2022 vintage looking? The wines from the 2022 vintage are looking quite strong for us. The cooler-than-average summer meant a delay in ripening and extra time on the vine, hence why the wines have developed a lot of...

SA Farmer

September 2022

Wine Grapes

Sustainability serving Angove just vine

IN a field where mass production is king, one Riverland winemaker has gone down an alternative route and has been reaping the rewards on multiple fronts. Angove Family Winemakers’ Riverland cellar door sits just off the Sturt Highway in Renmark...

Lachlan Dand

August 2022

Wine

No tank space for Riverland grapes, no demand for local wines… Growers ‘under siege’

MOTHBALLING or removing vineyards altogether are among drastic options being considered by “under siege” Riverland growers faced with a crippling oversupply of wine grapes. An unprecedented lack of storage space means wineries are unlikely to...

Paul Mitchell

July 2022

Winter Update

Adrian Hoffmann, WGCSA Region Two chair

Were Barossa growers confident in the vintage results? The vintage has been fantastic. We’ve had great yields and good quality. Because of the yields the fruit just needed time to hang, but the weather has held out well for us. In saying that...

SA Farmer

June 2022

Winter Update

Jim Godden, CCW chief executive officer

Has the 2022 vintage been completed? Did the harvest go longer than usual this year? After a cool summer, harvest commenced in early February which in comparison to the recent past is later than usual. On reflection it shows the difference of the El...

SA Farmer

June 2022

Ag News

Promising new technology helping grapevine smoke taint

RESEARCHERS at a South Australian university have found promising new technology in the bid to find ways to overcome smoke taint in grapes. Smoke taint is considered a serious issue for grape and wine producers around the world, and recent...

SA Farmer

June 2022

Community

Academy benefits food-growing industry

A PLANT breeding academy has been established in the region to take the country’s plant-breeding industry, research and education into the future. Roseworthy-based Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) has partnered with the University of...

Ellouise Crawford

December 2021

Rural

Grapes ‘destruction’ in storm becoming clearer

REPRESENTATIVES for Riverland grape growers are continuing to push for financial support to aid the recovery from recent hailstorm damage. Assessments of damage sustained by Riverland vineyards during a hailstorm that swept across key grape-growing...

Hugh Schuitemaker

November 2021

Agriculture

Leftover wine limiting capacity, decreasing prices for 2022… The big squeeze

YEARS of leftover stock clogging Riverland wineries is poised to slash local growers’ incomes by up to 40 per cent for certain grape varieties at the upcoming vintage. Early indicative 2022 prices for wine grapes have begun to be released, with...

Hugh Schuitemaker

December 2021

Agriculture

Riverland West growers race to rescue vintage

WINE grape growers north-west of Waikerie are frantically trying to rescue their crops ahead of vintage after “tornado-like” winds hit their vineyards during a severe thunderstorm earlier this month. Oxford Landing Estate’s Qualco vineyard...

Christine Webster

February 2022

Agriculture

Downy mildew now ‘very likely’ for grape growers after Riverland rains

A SENIOR wine industry figure says it is “very likely” downy mildew would occur after areas of the region received sustained – and unseasonal – rainfall last Wednesday and Thursday. CCW viticulturalist Ashley Lipman said wet conditions meant...

Hugh Schuitemaker

December 2021