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A snapshot of wine business, research and marketing content gleaned from local and international wine media sources. Emailed Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.
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Today's Top Story
Producers left scrambling after organic certifier collapses
Australian organic certifier NASAA Certified Organic (NCO) has entered voluntary administration, ceasing operations as an organic approved certifying body and leaving hundreds of organic operators and exporters without a valid organic certification.
Today's Headlines
SAWIA launches sustainability certification assistance program
As part of the SA Wine Recovery Program, The South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) has announced a new project aimed at accelerating sustainability credentials for South Australian wine businesses.
SA Wine Recovery Program to focus on domestic demand and leadership
Increasing domestic demand for South Australian wine and developing leadership within SA’s grape and wine regional communities are the focus for the final two streams of the Australian Wine Recovery Program established last year by the South Australian State and Federal governments.
Identifying grapevine clones is about to get easier and more accurate
In a significant step for Australian viticulture, the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) is preparing to launch a DNA-based grapevine clonal identification service, offering winegrape producers greater certainty and flexibility in the clonal identification process
National vintage report reveals “problematic” rise in red winegrape crush
With today’s release of the National Vintage Report 2025 comes the news that red winegrapes have once again taken over whites in Australia’s winegrape crush, increasing by 20 percent year-on-year.
Value over volume drives record-breaking vintage for Tassie
Tasmanian wine producers are celebrating a combination of exceptional quality, strong value and record-breaking yields in 2025, nearly half of which is destined for sparkling wine.
Federal funding accelerates innovative research
La Trobe University has received $8.1 million as part of the Federal Government’s Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) scheme, a portion of which will go towards development of innovative smoke taint detectors.
Vale Dr Richard Smart
The wine industry is saddened to learn that Dr Richard Smart passed away peacefully on Wednesday 2 July.
How to conduct effective vineyard trials
The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) has strengthened its efforts to help winegrape producers overcome major production constraints caused by disease, with the publication of a new guide educating winegrape producers and service providers on how to conduct producer-led vineyard trials for improved crop and disease management.
Five recipients announced for new ASVO scholarship program
The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) has revealed the five successful recipients of the new 2025 ASVO Scholarships.
Barossa Valley winemaker wins Red Wine Producer of the Year at US awards
Barossa Valley winemaker Hare’s Chase has returned triumphant from the 2025 Sommelier Choice Awards in Chicago, USA, where it won awards for both Red Wine Producer of the Year and Shiraz of the Year.
Australia
Balanced decisions to balance the oversupply of wine: Riverland Wine
Riverland Wine, the South Australian region’s peak wine industry body, is asking its members to carefully consider their business models and make balanced, financially viable decisions heading into vintage 2026.
Victorian winery case study highlights how heat pumps can help businesses slash gas bills
The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has launched a video case study of a heat pump installation at Port Phillip Estate and Kooyong Wines on the Mornington Peninsula which takes viewers step-by-step through the system and the process of replacing a gas boiler in a business.
De Bortoli replaces Penfolds as official Melbourne Cup Carnival partner
Australian winemaker De Bortoli Wines has announced a new partnership with Victoria Racing Club (VRC) which will see the family-owned producer become the official wine partner of the VRC and Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Influence of novel vineyard cover crops on the aroma and flavour of wine to be explored
Photo: Recipient of the Dr Tony Jordan OAM Memorial Award, Andrew O’Brien. University of Adelaide PhD candidate Andrew O’Brien has been awarded Wine Australia’s Dr Tony Jordan OAM Award for 2025 to support his studies into the impact of novel cover crops on the aroma and flavour of wine. The Award, named in honour of the late Dr Tony Jordan OAM, recognises the most outstanding applicant of Wine Australia’s annual PhD and Masters by Research top-up scholarship program which is
New Zealand
Nick Putt becomes the 2025 Hawke’s Bay Young Viticulturist of the Year
Nick Putt. Image courtesy New Zealand Winegrowers Nick Putt from Craggy Range has been announced as the 2025 Hawke’s Bay Young Viticulturist of the Year. Having previously taken out the title, Putt has returned this year and is determined to win and go on to represent Hawke’s Bay in the national final. “It was great to lift the trophy once again, and I’m determined to do Hawke’s Bay proud in the nationals” he said. Heath Miller from Pask Wines came
A rapidly evolving global wine scene: results of the International Wine Challenge revealed
The International Wine Challenge has unveiled its 2025 medal and trophy results to some surprise, with ‘new world’ wines rising to challenge the long-standing dominance of the ‘old world’.
Whites the way to go: NZ celebrates “refreshing” wine styles
With three white wine celebration dates this month— International Sauvignon Blanc Day (2 May), International Pinot Gris Day (17 May) and International Chardonnay Day (22 May), New Zealand Winegrowers is inviting the world to taste its triumph with its “Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand” campaign in May.
NZ-EU trade deal delivers export growth
The early entry into force of the New Zealand–European Union Trade Agreement (FTA) is paying off, the NZ government says, with Kiwi goods exports to the EU surging by 28 per cent during the first year.
International
Greek grape no basket case in new Clare home
As a wine region blessed with a dry, sunny climate and sheer rugged beauty, it’s no wonder Santorini has become one of Greece’s premier tourism destinations. Few visitors to its busy taverns and restaurants complain when the dramatic views are momentarily interrupted by platters of good food and local wines.
Giesen launches 0% alcohol spritzes “for the modern drinker”
Giesen Group has launched two non-alcoholic spritzes to the US market— the Giesen 0% Spritz Sauvignon Blanc and Giesen 0% Spritz Rosé.
“Wine Olympics” returns to China as international expo opens
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB)—dubbed the “Wine Olympics”—has returned to China after seven years, coinciding with the Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo, which opened on Monday in Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
Treasury Wine Estates loses major California distributor
Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has lost its major distributor in California, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), after the latter announced it will cease operations in the state.
Announcements & Suppliers
WineTech is Back for 2025 – Empowering Every Vintage
Wine industry professionals, vineyard owners, managers and workers from wineries of all sizes are invited to WineTech 2025. The event will take place at the Adelaide Convention Centre from July 21 – 23, 2025, offering an essential platform for networking, learning, buying.
LANGLEY & CO ADVISORS CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Lane Vineyard, Adelaide Hills, SA The Lane Vineyard was established over 30 years ago and at the time was one of the trail blazers of cool climate viticulture in South Australia. The Adelaide Hills is now a wine region with a global reputation for wine quality, tourism and hospitality. The business is run by a dedicated and skilful team, who continue to develop the business model and generate impressive sales growth. Key features of The Lane Vineyard include: Substantial
Unlock the Future of Wine Closures with Interpack’s capR: Innovation, Design, and Sustainability
In a world where environmental concerns are increasingly at the forefront, every industry is being called upon to rethink its practices. The wine industry is no exception. Enter Interpack’s capR closure, a game-changing innovation that not only addresses longstanding challenges in wine bottle recycling but also offers unparalleled design flexibility and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Cork Supply & Studio Labels Welcomes Aaron Haw as Chief Executive Officer for Australia
Cork Supply and Studio Labels, globally established companies for over 40 years within the Wine Industry for; the supply of corks, closures, barrels, oak alternative, and the design, development and delivery of highly technical labels, is excited to announce the appointment of Aaron Haw to Lead the Australian operations as Chief Operations Executive and Managing Director.
EU Wine Label Changes: What Australian Winegrowers Need to Know
Beginning December 8th, 2023, a significant change awaits Australian winegrowers exporting to the European Union (EU). The EU is set to enforce a mandate requiring wine labels to feature nutritional and ingredient information, either directly or through QR codes known as e-labels.
Cooperages 1912 names Mark Roberts as new general manager
Cooperages 1912 have announced the appointment of Mark Roberts as general manager, starting from July 1, 2023.
