The State Government has today announced further support for the Riverland Wine Industry following the challenges faced with oversupply of red wine grapes, global reduction of alcohol consumption and market access supply chain disruptions.

Launched today, the Riverland Wine Industry Blueprint aims to ensure the sustainability of the Riverland Wine Industry into the future. The Blueprint’s five strategic priorities will help improve the sector’s competitiveness and restore long term viability.

The South Australian Government has also committed to spend $200,000 over two years to support industry to implement the Blueprint’s recommendations.

The funding is on top of the $100,000 provided to Riverland Wine earlier this year to develop the 10-year Blueprint. Riverland Wine invested $50,000 of cash and in-kind support to the plan, Wine Australia and the Wine Grape Council of SA contributed additional financial support.

There is an opportunity for the Riverland wine industry to fill gaps in the market by developing new and sustainable grape and wine products including more interesting varietal mixes, lighter style reds, more white wine, low and no alcohol wines and a range of environmentally friendly packaging options.

The blueprint outlines the need to build the Riverland’s reputation globally as a wine region amongst domestic and international consumers and trade customers. This will be important to draw attention to existing experiences and to attract new investment to the region.

Riverland Wine Industry Blueprint Five Priorities:

Priority 1 – A rapid transition to more sustainable production levels

Priority 2 – Becoming an adaptable wine region responding to trends and filling market gaps

Priority 3 – Developing and promoting a meaningful regional identity

Priority 4 – Developing passionate leaders and a skilled workforce

Priority 5 – Supporting agile wine businesses that are sustainable and profitable

PIRSA continues to work closely with the Riverland wine industry to consider support measures for growers and has already facilitated workshops that include rural financial counselling services, family and business support mentoring programs and technical support to assist industry with some knowledge gaps regarding options for resting techniques, grafting, replanting and nutrition considerations, as well as biosecurity and pest and disease.

Last month, the state government announced a grant scheme to subsidise commercial trials of a chemical called Ethephon which has been found to put red wine vines into a ‘production hold.’

The rebate subsidy program aims to protect the long-term value of the wine industry by reimbursing the $40 per hectare cost of Ethephon for up to 5,000 hectares and buy some time while growers consider future business decisions.

For more information and to view the Blueprint: visit www.riverlandwine.com.au

Quotes

Attributable to Clare Scriven

Growers and producers in the Riverland wine region have been through what can only be described as one of the industry’s toughest periods.

This investment will help support the region’s grape growers and winemakers to get on the road to recovery.

We are committed to working in collaboration with the Riverland wine industry to help implement the recommendations identified in the blueprint as priorities, which is why I’m delighted to announce after initially funding the development of this blueprint we are now able to provide further funding for its application.

Attributable to Lyndall Rowe, Executive Officer at Riverland Wine

This blueprint will assist the Riverland wine industry as it continues to deal with ongoing challenging conditions and navigates its way through changes to improve productivity and ensure sustainability of the sector over the next decade.

By working together, industry and government have come up with this strategic plan to ensure a return to sustainable and profitable grape and wine production in the region.