This year marks the beginning of a new journey of amalgamation and collaboration between two of the major players in the Clare Valley wine region.

From July 17 2018, the two associations previously representing the separate groups of grapegrowers and winemakers united to form one strong representative body to be known as the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association.

The decision to formally amalgamate was agreed upon in September 2017, following two years of discussion and consultation between the two regional associations — the Clare Valley Winemakers Incorporated and Clare Region Winegrape Growers Association.

The Clare Valley Wine and Grape Association will be chaired by Stuart McNab, a former Treasury Wine Estates executive.

One of its key objectives will be to develop and communicate the Clare Valley’s wine story with a sharp focus on the unique and diverse attributes of the region.

The amalgamation will create stronger, unified and effective representation for the Clare Valley wine industry by fostering a much closer alliance and cooperation between growers and winemakers.

Among the many benefits of the move is a greater transparency and shared knowledge across the whole value chain by all parties and consolidation of resources with an emphasis on regional industry growth and the advantage of some administrative cost savings.

Newly appointed chair, Stuart McNab, said the association will allow for a more focused, united approach to developing and promoting the Clare region.

“I have worked across many wine regions globally and in my opinion the Clare wine and grape region already has a great reputation for quality and has potential to further develop this reputation globally.”

The journey has an auspicious start with a $400,000 regional project, following the announcement of a successful application to the Wine Australia’s Export and Regional Wine Support Program.

The funding will be used to deliver initiatives aimed at strengthening regional tourism and help to promote the Clare Valley to the world.

A planned development program targeting wine-centric tourism will help the region to prepare for an expected influx of inbound international tourists to South Australia, with a particular focus on Chinese and USA visitors.

Featured image: Andrew Pike, chair of Clare Valley Winemakers and Troy van Dulken, chair of Clare region Winegrape Growers