Murray Valley Winegrowers MVW News & Views www.mvwi.com.au
Representing the Murray-Darling and Swan Hill wine regions NSW-VIC DECEMBER 2020 CHINA UPDATE was going to have to reduce sales by the - despite a 33%* reduction in the volume Inland Wine Region Alliance equivalent of about 240,000** tonnes on of exports to China from what they were Inland/Commercial Wine Regions are the previous 12 months sales due to lack of in the October 2019. This is primarily due defined as Murray Darling/Swan Hill, supply. to winemakers’ success in their exports to Riverina and Riverland. The three grower the UK. The UK market has risen by 12% in organisations from these regions are In 2020 Australia produced 1.52* million volume, with a corresponding rise in prices represented by the Inland Wine Regions tonnes of winegrapes, but in the year of 14% for bottled and 12% for unpackaged Alliance Inc. Together these three regions ending October 2020 had sold the wine wine. The challenge will be in convincing produced approximately 1.1 million tonnes equivalent of 1.1** million tonnes on the our other markets to take the wine and will of winegrapes with 560,000 tonnes of reds export market, and 660,000**tonnes on the require a concentrated industry effort. There may be an opportunity for this through Wine and 530,000 tonnes of whites in 2020. This domestic market for a total of 1.76** million Australia diverting any unspent portion of represents approximately 73% of Australia’s tonnes. total winegrape crush. the $50 million marketing funds toward the rest of the world away from the scheduled The top four consumer countries in 2019- Chinese promotions. Summary 20 are Australia at 660,000** tonnes, Wine exports to China are predominantly United Kingdom at 365,000** tonnes, USA Sensibly the majority of commercial 95%* red wine and, although affected, the at 185,000** tonnes and then China at winemakers who source fruit from the three Inland regions only rely on China for 175,000** tonnes. Inland regions have maintained their about 9%* of the total red wine sales derived relationships with markets in the other Inland sourced wine is predominantly from red wine grapes grown in those export destinations and are not dependent exported in the below $5/L Free on Board areas. The Inland regions only rely on the on China to a great deal. Interestingly many (FOB) for bottled wine and below $2.50/L Chinese bottled market for about 50,000** of the major destinations have seen an FOB for unpackaged wine, commonly increase in the volume of commercial wine tonnes from a total red grape production referred to as the commercial wine sector. of approximately 560,000t**. Total white sold, which has increased demand from This sector accounts for approximately 82%* Australia. wine sales volumes will not be affected by by volume of all exports of Australian wine. the Chinese tariffs, as the volume exported The major risk is for the smaller wine there is minimal. Despite this relatively If Inland wine producers can spread the producer who had no choice but to go to small percentage, for the Inland regions, commercial wine that was destined for there will be some impact on the price that China through the other 116 countries it Continued on Page 3 winemakers can pay for red grapes as it is a exports to, at the current UK prices, the higher margin market than the alternatives. outcome is not as dramatic as some are predicting. INSIDE Page While market indicators suggest that there NewsletterNotice Board – Worksheet 2 is some justification for a reduction in prices We must remember that most of the difference in price between the bottled Winemakers urged to sign up 4 of about 10% for red grapes from the Inland to amended Code regions, those same indicators suggest that and unpackaged wine is the cost of the packaging. The value of the wine is similar white grape prices should increase by 10- MVWDec views on .Code 2020 4 whether it is bottled or unpackaged. 15%, and that robust demand could push Devoted to controlling plant diseases 5 them even higher than that. DespiteFront the Page problems with China and Covid-19, commercial, unpackaged export MVW Weather Stations 6 wine prices are on average, 7%* above Commentary Proud to be showcasing 7 While China does account for nearly 40%* whereJim they Caddy were in October – IWRA2019 and StoryMurray Darling (China Wine impact) by value of Australia exports, only about bottled commercial wine is only 1%* down 10% by volume of Australia’s average wine Show success in challenging times 8 production goes to China. Australia exported Wine Australia Regional Program 9 approximately 175,000t* equivalent of wine to China from the 10-year average crush of Preparing for a high Qfly year 10 approximately 1.75* million tonnes. Due to Wine Australia export report 11 the low tonnage produced in 2020 Australia
December 2020
The China Tariffs: Implications on the Inland Regions/Commercial wine sector.
What difference will it make to Inland wine grape demand?
Inland/Commercial Wine Regions
Inland/Commercial Wine Regions are defined as Murray Darling/Swan Hill, Riverina and Riverland. The three grower organisations from these regions are represented by the Inland Wine Regions Alliance Inc. Together these three regions produced approximately 1.1 million tonnes of winegrapes with 560,000 tonnes of reds and 530,000 tonnes of whites in 2020. This represents approximately 73% of Australia’s total winegrape crush.
Summary
Wine exports to China are predominantly 95%* red wine and, although affected, the three Inland regions only rely on China for about 9%* of the total red wine sales derived from red wine grapes grown in those areas. The Inland regions only rely on the Chinese bottled market for about 50,000** tonnes from a total red grape production of approximately 560,000t**. Total white wine sales volumes will not be affected by the Chinese tariffs, as the volume exported there is minimal. Despite this relatively small percentage, for the Inland regions, there will be some impact on the price that winemakers can pay for red grapes as it is a higher margin market than the alternatives.
While market indicators suggest that there is some justification for a reduction in prices of about 10% for red grapes from the Inland regions, those same indicators suggest that white grape prices should increase by 10-15%, and that robust demand could push them even higher than that.
Commentary Murray Valley Winegrowers MVW News & Views
Notice Board Congrats MVWI Chair, MVW Annual General Dog Book Chris Dent Meeting Available at the MVW office Congratulations to MVWI Chair, Chris Dent, The Murray Valley Winegrowers Annual or use the AWRI App on being shortlisted in the Young Gun of General Meeting was held on December The 2020-21 edition of the Agrochemicals Wine - Top 50 Finalists in the Inaugural 17th. Thank you to those who were able to registered for use in Australian viticulture Vineyard of the Year Awards. Good luck attend, and a special thanks to Jim Caddy, (“the Dog Book”) is now available – it can Chris! Chair, Inland Wine Regions Alliance for his be viewed online at awri.com.au or via the industry presentation. Agrochemical App. A hard copy ids also Welcome on board available at the MVW office. Antoinette MVW Business We are pleased to welcome Antoinette Directory McAliney to MVW as our newly appointed Finance & Administration Officer. We are compiling a list of vineyard contractors, suppliers and services for the You will be greeted by Antoinette’s pleasant MVW business directory. If you want to disposition when you phone or call into recommend any business please contact the the office – we are sure that she will be a MVW office or ask the business to contact valuable asset to MVW. us direct. We are aiming to include this directory on our website in the new year. Please make yourself known to Antoinette at the various functions we hold throughout the year. MVW Forum Due to government restrictions on public gatherings through most of the year and availability of speakers due interstate travel restrictions as a result of COVID 19, we have cancelled our 2020 MVW Forum.
MVW is still looking to hold some smaller shed meetings to update growers on Murray Valley what is happing in the wine industry and Dog Book Winegrape Industry re-unite with industry colleagues in an Development Committee informal environment. Spray Diary www.mvwi.com.au The 2020-21 Wine Grape Spray Diary is now We still intend to hold a forum in 2021 available; pick one up at the MVW office Murray Valley during the months of May or June. (54 Lemon Ave.) or phone the office 03 5021 3911 or email [email protected] to Winegrowers arrange a copy to be mailed to you. MVW News & Views Grapes for Sale Register DECEMBER 2020 A friendly reminder the 2021 Wine Grapes Winegrape Published by: Murray Valley for Sale Register is now open for listings. Winegrowers Inc Editor: Paul Derrico Spray Diary Email: [email protected] Wineries are seeking fruit for next vintage & they often contact MVW for leads on fruit Representing winegrape growers in the availability and that is when the register 2020/21 Murray Valley region within the Shires becomes very useful. This spray diary is reproduced from the Australian Wine Research Institute Universal Spray Diary, and also contains the “Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture 20/21” compiled by the Australian Wine Research Institute. Both can be found on the AWRI website www.awri.com.au. of Wentworth and Balranald, and Rural This spray diary contains calibration sheets from the GrapeLink Spray Diary. It is critical that you maintain a copy of the information recorded in this Spray Diary for delivering fruit to your winery. Your Cities of Mildura and Swan Hill. winery will want to inspect this diary. Remember to consult with your winery for any particular requirements it may have. The Wine Grapes for Sale Register is a Care has been taken to ensure the information contained within is accurate. Murray Valley Winegrowers and/or Murray Valley Winegrape Industry Development Committee and/or GrapeLink take no responsibility for issues that may arise from the use of this spray diary. The information contained within should be free service that simply connects growers treated as a guide only; it is critical that you check with your winery for specific information in every case. Murray Valley Winegrowers Inc with buyers. MVW advises wineries of the 54 Lemon Avenue, Mildura 3500 varieties available in the Murray-Darling Name PO Box 2745, Mildura, Victoria and Swan Hill regions, based on the
3502 information on our register. Farm No
Phone: (03) 5021 3911 Address We do not inform wineries of details of www.mvwi.com.au registered growers without your permission Telephone or advise them of total available tonnes. 2 Winegrape Spray Diary 2020/21
This spray diary is reproduced from the Australian Wine Research Institute Universal Spray Diary, and also contains the “Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture 20/21” compiled by the Australian Wine Research Institute. Both can be found on the AWRI website www.awri.com.au. This spray diary contains calibration sheets from the GrapeLink Spray Diary. It is critical that you maintain a copy of the information recorded in this Spray Diary for delivering fruit to your winery. Your winery will want to inspect this diary. Remember to consult with your winery for any particular requirements it may have. Care has been taken to ensure the information contained within is accurate. Murray Valley Winegrowers and/or Murray Valley Winegrape Industry Development Committee and/or GrapeLink take no responsibility for issues that may arise from the use of this spray diary. The information contained within should be treated as a guide only; it is critical that you check with your winery for specific information in every case.
Name
Farm No
Address
Telephone
DECEMBER 2020
China update continued from cover
China as they needed the higher returns in order to pay the increased grape prices to secure fruit. Some of these producers may have to lower prices for wine to get rid of it, creating downward pressure on prices for red wine, or they may pull out of the industry all together. Pre COVID-19, many of these wine producers would have been able to travel to alternate markets to promote their wine, however due, to travel restrictions they now must try to sell from a distance.
Due to the below average harvests of 2019 and 2020, and good sales volumes to date, the stock of Australian wine is relatively low. This is demonstrated by the depletions of 2020 wine being well ahead of 2019 depletions at the same time last year. This indicates that stock levels of wine are even lower than last year, which were well below the 10-year average.
The commercial wine sector is in a relatively good position to weather this disruption. Whilst some smaller grape buyers will not be buying fruit due to their reliance on China, the majority of winemakers who Percentage of Australian Wine Consumption by Country purchase fruit from the Inland regions have strong domestic and export sales that will not have excess wine to compete with us. only leads to problems in the future when need to be supplied. nland sour ed wine is predominantlyThey will also expect exported to increase in salesthe elowinto 5 trying ree to improve on oard prices. We need for to ottledhave wine and elow 2.50 for unpa a edChina as a replacement wine, ommonly for Australia, whichreferred confidenceto as the ommer ialthat the product wine produced se tor. is This se tor Unfortunately, we are already seeing will open opportunities in their previous of a quality and style that will hold up at some major retailersa ounts trying for to approximatelypressure markets. 2% y olume of all exports of currentAustralian prices, wine. and resist the predatory winemakers to lower their prices for advances of wine retailers. A 50,000t** commercial wine, despite increasing The major implications of the Chinese tariffs reduction of sales in the red sector which sales in the commercial sector. There will are for the cool climate regions, where a currently sells about 560,000t** is not a be some small winemakers who will sell larger percentage of their production has problem, and can be overcome with some wine at distressedAs prices an e due seen to a myriadin raph , if nland wine produ ers an spreadgood the planning ommer ial and execution. wine that was destined for of reasons, however, the majority of larger been sold, and there are few opportunities hina throu h the other to sell ountries elsewhere. This it exports may encourage to, at wine the urrent pri es, the out ome is not as dramati wine companies have relatively low stock Considering that Australia has sold the producers in these regions to lower their levels and will needas some to resist ar thise predi tin .predatory equivalent of 1.76 million tonnes over the prices to try and increase sales, which will action. past year, we were going to have to reduce not be good for the industry as a whole. these sales by approximately 240,000 Our major competitor countries on the tonnes due to the low vintages of 1.72* export markets ehave mustonly had remem er average to thatThe most commercial of the winedifferen e sector will in needpri e to etweenmillion thetonnes ottled in 2019 and and unpa a ed 1.52* million wine is the slightly below average vintages, so will not panic and resort to discounting as this tonnes in 2020. ost of the pa a in . The alue of the wine is similar whether it is ottled or unpa a ed. As there is very little stock due to the below average grape crops of the last two years and good sales volumes over the past 12 months commercial industry producers are in a much stronger position than during the last time we had problems. The one thing we do not need is for panic to be the main driver of wine and wine grape prices.
* All figures are sourced from Wine Australia (W.A.) reports
**Conversion Rate of 703 Litres/tonne as per W.A. 2018-2019 Production Sales Inventory Report. 3 Murray Valley Winegrowers MVW News & Views
Winemakers urged to sign up to amended Code By Christine Webster
Australian Grape & Wine is calling on all Tony Battaglene said the amendments More information about the amendments winemakers to become signatories to the also requires pricing mechanisms to to the Code of Conduct for Australian amended Code of Conduct for Australian be transparent, but the code maintains Winegrape Purchases can be found at Winegrape Purchases prior to vintage. appropriate flexibility as to how price may wineindustrycode.org. be determined. It is placing particular emphasis on Here is a link to a recording of a webinar, encouraging wineries with a processing He said some new rules regarding quality which was held in October, which further capacity of more than 10,000 tonnes to sign assessment for the purpose of affecting explains how the code has been improved. up. price have been introduced and the dispute You can watch the recording of the webinar resolution procedure has been improved “Code of Conduct Q&A Webinar_8 October The revised code of conduct is in response to and expanded. 2020”, which was held in October, which the ACCC’s study on the wine grape market, further explains how the code has been which was released in September last year. “A voluntary code, developed for industry improved on Australian Grape & Wine by industry, compared to a mandatory YouTube channel. Australian Grape & Wine launched the code, enables industry to retain a desirable amended Code of Conduct for Australian level of flexibility,” Mr Battaglene said. Winegrape Purchases in October this year.
It contains considerable improvements over “This also means that winemakers and the previous version. growers can enter into mutually beneficial commercial arrangements without undue The revised code calls for greater levels of regulatory barriers.” transparency around harvest and delivery arrangements and the indicative pricing Australian Grape & Wine is also seeking a requirement has been removed. significant improvement in the number of winemaker signatories to retain the Australian Grape & Wine Chief Executive advantage of an industry owned code. Tony Battaglene MVW views on Code By Christine Webster
The amended Australian Winegrape standard procedures. The amended code of conduct is still Purchases Code of Conduct still doesn’t recommending growers should still at least adequately address the needs of growers, Mr Derrico also acknowledged there had be paid their payments in thirds, despite according to MVW Executive Officer, Paul been some improvement to the dispute acknowledging it isn’t best practice. Derrico. resolution process, but said it still needed to better address critical/time sensitive issues. Under this system, the first payment is Australian Grape & Wine Incorporated received 30 days after delivery, the second (AGWI) released the new voluntary code, in Changes have also been made to the code, by June 30, and the balance by the end of October. in an attempt to make pricing mechanisms September. more transparent. Paul Derrico and Riverina Winegrape growers Mr Derrico said the code should be amended The indicative pricing requirement has been Chief Executive Officer, Brian Simpson were to follow the ACCC’s recommendation that removed. both observers on the Australian Grape & long- term payment terms be phased out Wine Incorporated code of conduct review However, Mr Derrico said the changes still and growers be paid within 30 days. committee. mean growers are only informed about the “Although it is good to see a few wineries price wineries will pay for their grapes, on Paul Derrico said while the Inland Wine in our region providing improved terms as the second Wednesday of December prior Region’s Alliance (IWRA) were represented a point of difference to attract fruit,” he said. on the review committee, some of their to vintage. concerns were not addressed. Mr Derrico is urging growers ahead of Mr Derrico said this still didn’t help growers, vintage to consider whether the winery they “Growers have been consulted via our (IWRA) and it should be possible for wineries to are dealing with is a signatory to the Code, representation on the Code committee,” he release price offers much earlier before even though it has its shortcomings. said. vintage. “It is better to be protected by the Code than “However, given the Code is a winery “Growers put time, effort and cost into not at all,” he said. document they have decided to “defer” producing a crop and are only finding out some of our requests and suggestions.” just before harvest what they might be paid.” “You also need to consider buyers who are Mr Derrico welcomed the improved clauses I would still like to see improvement with offering a fair and reasonable price, don’t relating to quality and colour assessments. pricing transparency, to enable growers to always accept the first deal, unless you are know who is paying what, for comparative satisfied it is a good price. The new code has introduced new rules purposes,” he said. regarding the assessment of grape colour Mr Derrico said the code still needed to “Hopefully, the payment terms are also an and brix based on industry endorsed include better payment terms for growers. improvement on the standard 1/3 x 3.” 4 DECEMBER 2020
Devoted to controlling plant diseases By Christine Webster
Plant pathologist Peter Magarey who is “It was before the days of the internet and vines with fungicides, enabling growers to based at Loxton, in the Riverland, has even faxes,” he says. keep the downy mildew disease at bay. devoted his career towards trying to combat vine diseases. “The way I learnt was by going to the Peter and his plant pathology colleagues journals and publications, which in those also studied the epidemiology of powdery He compiles the GrowCare e-News, a days scientists in Germany and France mildew and black spot, which can also disease and pest information service to alert published in their own languages.” cause headaches for growers in Sunraysia grape growers of the risk of vine diseases in and the Riverland. the Murray Valley and Riverland. He was then better able to conduct his Peter’s intention when he started studying own research and field experiments in Peter and Roger then wrote two more an Agricultural Science Degree at the the Riverland using the best methods to songs for wine grape growers “The Pirates University of Adelaide’s Waite institute was control downy mildew. of Powdery Mildew,” and “The Black Spot to return to work on his family’s pear orchard, Blues.” at Coromandel Valley in the Adelaide Hills. It wasn’t long before Peter became an internationally recognised expert himself After being made redundant in 2009, But he was encouraged by his mentors and on vine diseases such as downy and Peter and his wife set up Magarey Plant peers to apply for a Plant Pathologist job powdery mildew. Pathology. with the then Department of Agriculture at Loxton, which he was appointed to in 1976 His dedication to plant pathology and the They co-founded GrowCare, which now and remained in the role for 33 years. Riverland community earnt him an OAM in provides growers in the Murray Valley 2017. and Riverland with much more precise “As a Christian, the Lord had other ideas for information on the risks of downy and “My research determined that downy me,” Peter says. powdery mildew and other plant diseases. mildew is likely to occur, to put it simply, if Peter who was a Churchill Fellow in 1991, His first contact with the viticultural industry there is 10 millimetres of rain or more, at a has with international colleagues, also and the fungal disease, downy mildew, temperature of 10 degrees or more over a played a key role, in having Automatic came not long after taking up his posting in 24-hour period,” Peter says. Weather Stations (AWS) installed in the Riverland. vineyards of the Riverland and Sunraysia. Peter realised to help growers improve These assist wine grape growers in Downy mildew arrived in Australia in 1917 their disease control, information was identifying when downy or powdery and began slowly spreading in the 1950s. needed in a format that was quick and easy mildews pose a danger. However, Peter says record rainfalls across to understand. Australia in the 1973-1974, and 1974-1975 The first AWS were installed in vineyard seasons meant it spread like wildfire, when In 1992, he joined forces with his cousin monitoring sites in the Riverland and little was known about this devastating Roger, who was also a plant pathologist Sunraysia in the 1980s. disease. based in Irymple with the Victorian Department of Agriculture, to write “The MVW now owns 11 AWS in the Murray “People were bereft of knowing what to do, Downy Mildew Rap.” and in my course of study in the Riverland, Darling and Swan Hill regions, it recently I visited vineyards, which were completely This became widely used in the grape replaced nine of the original ones and defoliated by downy,” he says. industry as a guide for when to spray their purchased two new ones.
Peter’s predecessor, Peter Dry had done Peter says the AWS placed in the canopy some initial research on downy mildew of vines, measure temperature, humidity, before he left to become a lecturer in rainfall and leaf wetness providing viticulture, at the University of Adelaide’s information to precisely assess the risk of Roseworthy Campus. downy and powdery in Sunraysia from his office in Loxton and prepare them with “I came into a slot that was readied for me regular e-news updates. with thousands of questions,” Peter says. “I was answering, I don’t know, or I am sorry I Wine grape growers in the Murray Valley will find out for you,” he recalls. can also remotely access this information. “If you are a grape grower in Mildura, you But Peter was determined to help growers can go to the cricket at the MCG and still find ways to get on top of downy mildew check your weather data from down there,” and using his school boy French, which he says. he failed in year 10, and teaching himself some German he began to understand the “You can then know whether you should research European pathologists had done be home spraying, or you can watch the on downy. Peter Magarey cricket for a bit longer.” 5 Murray Valley Winegrowers MVW News & Views
MVW Weather Stations
Murray Valley Winegrowers recently by Lower Murray Water (https://www. Wherever permissible, MEA facilitates the installed a network of 11 new mini Weather awsnetwork.com.au/lower-murray-water), sharing of weather station data from these Stations between Ellerslie, NSW and Lake and another 3 in-canopy stations through networks with growers who are using Boga, VIC. This network expands on two Dried Fruits Australia. Green Brain for soil moisture monitoring. smaller networks through Sunraysia that Any of these Weather Station networks Each of these Weather Stations are linked were also supplied by MEA and installed where the data is also hosted in Green to GrowCare's disease alerting service, by Jeff from Mitchell Agronomy, who Brain has optional API access for 3rd party and now also to the GrapeWatch App that add-ons. This allows local weather data to provides ongoing local support. Other offers a smartphone app to do the same be shared to other providers. The Murray networks through the region include thing (currently under trial). Valley weather stations have been linked 10 Weather Stations that were funded to GrowCare (and to the recently released The Murray Valley Winegrowers network GrapeWatch App) in order to provide is the latest in a series of Weather alerts for common fungal diseases that Station networks that MEA has supplied throughout Australia, including over 175 impact vines. sites in Western Australia and 85 sites in South Australia covering the Riverland, About MEA Murraylands, Mallee, and South East. MEA Measurement Engineering Australia Pty has also deployed smaller networks into Ltd (MEA) is an Australian manufacturer key wine grape growing regions including of on-farm monitoring technology that Langhorne Creek (4 sites), McLaren Vale (9 was founded in 1984. MEA designs and sites), Barossa Valley (28 sites, 6 of which builds hardware and software products are publicly available), Mudgee (5 sites), to support irrigation scheduling Riverina (10 sites), Southern Highlands, decisions through the use of soil moisture Tumbarumba, Canberra and the Hilltops monitoring, local weather measurement region (8 sites). and irrigation system monitoring.
New weather station MVW weather stations network in the Murray Valley 6 DECEMBER 2020
Proud to be showcasing Murray Darling Wine
The owners of Sunraysia Cellar Door, Greg such as shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and He worked for the company for ten years in and Suzanne Christensen are passionate chardonnay. Cairns, Katherine in the Northern Territory, about supporting Murray Darling wine Tasmania, Perth, Melbourne, and Adelaide. producers. He says they also should be proud of Greg has also worked in key sales their alternative varieties, which include management roles for Metcash, one In 2013, the husband and wife team Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Vermentino. of Australia’s largest independent opened the doors of Sunraysia Cellar Door supermarket wholesalers and for fruit after spending 12 months working on a Lifetime in liquor packer and processor, the Irymple Group, concept plan to house wines from the which was sold in 2005. Born and bred in the region, Greg has Murray Darling region under one roof. spent all his working life in the liquor He developed a valuable insight into the industry and his first job after leaving wine industry, working for one of Australia’s On offer to taste and buy are more than school was pouring beers at the Mildura top ten family owned wineries, Andrew 250 wines from 22 Murray Darling wine RSL Club. producers. Peace Wines for eight years. Greg grew up on the family’s wine grape, The central cellar door in 2016 won the almond and citrus property at Nangiloc, NSW, Victoria Inland Regional Tourism but when he turned 18, decided to leave Awards’ Tourism, Wineries, Distilleries and Sunraysia. Breweries category. “I said to Mum and Dad, I am sick of this, Greg says he is proud to showcase the wine I am going around Australia, I will come produced in this wine region and dispel the back in five years’ time,” he recalled. myth from some interstate consumers, that it only produces cask wine. “I only knew one person in another part of Australia and that was my Uncle in Hervey “The Murray Darling Wine region produces Bay, in Queensland.” high quality fruit at affordable pricing per tonne, which allows the wineries So off he went and returned to Mildura 13 to produce quality wines and be price years later! competitive in the world market,” he says. Greg gained valuable experience in Greg says Murray Valley wine growers have Queensland working for Carlton United a reputation globally, for producing high Breweries, firstly as a bar manager and Owners of Sunraysia Cellar Door, Greg and quality grapes, in mainstream varieties then in hotel management. Suzanne Christensen.
He sold wine all over the world from his home office in Mildura, as well as looking after the Australian distribution.
Greg then came up with the idea of setting up Sunraysia Cellar Door.
He has transformed the former family owned funeral parlour on the corner of Mildura’s Lime Avenue and Tenth Street into a vibrant cellar door business and a Friday night wine bar. Melburnian influx The relaxing of COVID-19 travel restrictions in Melbourne and regional Victoria at the end of October, means business has started to boom at the cellar door in Mildura’s CBD, with tourists eager to sample and buy wine from the Murray Darling region.
“Everyone is here to spend at the moment, Sunraysia Cellar Door has more than 250 wines from the Murray Darling wine region on offer. the Melburnians are here to spend, which 7 Murray Valley Winegrowers MVW News & Views
Proud to be showcasing Murray Darling Wine continued
is good,” Greg told MVW News &Views in “The little licensed outlets like ours all had Greg’s model has also attracted interest from early December. to shut down, that is what the Premier said other regional areas, including the Riverland. we must do,” he said. The six-month closure caused by Greg said 85 per cent of all wine for the COVID-19, didn’t impact too much on “The message was that people were likely domestic market in Australia is sold by Coles Sunraysia Cellar Door’s business, as people to get the virus if you visit a cellar door, but and Woolworths. were still keen to order from the online Coles and Woolies remained open and had store. free rein in every business they owned.” “If you are not part of this, then you don’t have a route to market,” he said. Greg was also looking forward to South “Their businesses have gone through Australians visiting again after the the roof and ours were shut down for six Greg believes other wine regions such as the COVID-19 border restrictions were lifted on months, which I just think was the most Riverina in NSW or the Yarra Valley would December 1, as they also enjoy purchasing ridiculous thing to ever happen in this benefit from having a central cellar door like Murray Darling wines. country, but that is how much power Coles his. and Woolworths have.” Greg said Victorian cellar door operators “There are a lot of wine producers that don’t have been severely disadvantaged during Ensuring wine from the Murray Valley have cellar doors, so if you could get every the pandemic by having to close during the is better represented and more readily winery under one roof in those regions, that lockdown period, while major supermarket available is one of Sunraysia Cellar Door’s is how they could get a route to market,” he liquor outlets remained open. major achievements. said. Show success in challenging times Despite a year of adversity, from bushfires of Trentham Estate, Tennille Chalmers, that the judges have argued for the top wines to travel bans and border closures, the Chalmers; Pia Merrick, Qualia Wine; Aidan through rigorous and convincing discussion. Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show Menzies, Duxton along with Stefano de (AAVWS) stayed true to their reputation Pieri, Stefano’s Restaurant. The opportunity to glean a fascinating of innovation and ‘more than just a wine snapshot of the alternative varietal wine Judges worked their way through over 560 show’ by presenting their 20th Show in scene sets this event apart from all the wines, representing 95 unique varieties November. regional and capital shows in Australia. from 137 exhibitors across 55 wine regions resulted in 59 Gold, 94 Silver and 205 By locking in regional Victorian judges On Friday 6 November at 6pm the AAVWS Bronze medal winning wines. and stewards and creating a safe team and judges participated in a live working environment the Show went Chief of Judges, Sophie Otton, was online streaming award presentation with guest ahead and were buoyed by the response for the entire Show, beamed in on a large speakers beamed in from Adelaide, Sydney from sponsors and exhibitors. The local screen, supporting the judging and trophy and New York. wine industry stepped up to provide process, according to Ms Otton. the majority of judges, all of whom Results include belonged the AAVWS judging alumni. "2020 AAVWS has been an interesting Best Wine of Show: Hahndorf Hill Winery These included Jonathan Creek, Zilzie exercise in adaptability with my supervising Wines; Elizabeth Marwood, L’enologa the show from NSW, while our talented 2020 White Mischief Gruner Veltliner Wines/Treasury Wines; Donna Stephens, judges do all the heavy lifting. Despite this Cappa Stone Wines; Shane Kerr formerly unusual scenario, it has proven a success in Best Murray Darling Region Wine: Trentham Estate 2020 The Family Sangiovese Rose
The Show continued with [All] Talk & [No] Taste, a series of Facebook live events which took place on 24 November at 8pm where Celebrity Cook & AAVWS co-founder Stefano de Pieri sat down with Winemaker Elizabeth Richardson, who holds a Masters of Gastronomy from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy, to create and share a meal, where the fare on the table and in their glasses was sourced locally.
Full Results and upcoming events at 2020 AAVWS Judges www.aavws.com 8 DECEMBER 2020
Wine Australia Regional Program
It is part of a research project led by Dr being run sequentially in both regions. Apps on the move Vinay Pagay, a lecturer in viticulture and In other activities: to support Murray vineyard engineering at the University of Adelaide, who is developing a tool Sustainable Wine Valley growers that will allow growers to schedule The Murray Valley Regional Program is irrigation precisely based on real-time Growing Australia going hi-tech with the development of measurements of vine water status in regional workshops two apps to support growers. conjunction with UAV-based remote A series of four Sustainable Winegrowing sensing. Australia (SWA) workshops will be rolled The first app aims to provide growers with out across the Murray Valley in the next real-time, localised disease control alerts The app will be supported by data provided 12 months. The workshops will focus and strategies; while the second app will by the Murray Valley Winegrowers Weather on promotion of the SWA program and assist growers with irrigation scheduling Station network, which consists 11 units in sustainable management practices such the Murray-Darling & Swan Hill regions. and budgeting. as soil health, water, and integrated pest Special Offer for MVW members from Winetitles Media management. The Vine Disease Alert System aims to Murray Valley also has a number of Winetitlesdeliver information Media directly is tothe growers major in publisherinnovative toprojects the Australian slated, including and New Zealand wine and viticulture a project to raise awareness of the Vine Health industries.a form that is simple, timely and easy to manage. opportunities presented by warm region Workshop grape varieties. Over the past 25 years, Winetitles Media has built a reputation for qualityPest publishingand disease in pressuresboth the remain print ‘A beta version of the app will be available constant in the Murray Valley and growers ‘Many traditional varieties sourced from andduring electronic the 2020-21 formseason. and We willpublishes then the industry’s longest-running magazine,require Australianongoing updates & New on Zealand changes warm regions in Spain, Portugal and undertake a period of ground-truthing to agrochemical registrations, control Grapegrower & Winemaker, whichItaly has have been recently the majorshown great source promise of practical and technical content for and refinement based on the feedback strategies and spray practices. An annual under the Murray Valley’s warm growing theof growers wine duringindustry the season,’since itsaid was Paul first published in 1963. workshop/video conference or series of conditions,’ said Paul. ‘While production is Derrico, Executive Officer of Murray Valley webinars to update growers is proposed. currently very limited, the resultant wines WinetitlesWinegrowers Inc. Media also publishes the annual Australian and New Zealand Wine Industry Directory and have been very well regarded, including in is Australia’s specialist wine industrywine book shows.’ publisher. Titles published Buildingare: Viticulture resilience Volumes 1 &to 2, A final version of the app is expected to be Growing Quality Grapes to Winery Specifications, Sunlight Into Wine, Diseasesdrought and andPests, aField water Guide available for the beginning of the 2021-22 Paul said the next step was to take a toseason. Diseases and Pests, Soil Irrigationstrategic & Nutrition, approach and Precision raise the awareness Viticulture, constrained Cooperage for Winemakers,future Winegrape Berry Sensory Assessmentof the in opportunitiesAustralia, Rieslingof the varieties in Australia, to the TheWinery prolonged Wastewater drought across Handbook much of The roll out of the app will be driven by Region’s stakeholders, including growers south eastern Australia has resulted in andaccompanying the newly extension released activities, Principles a ofand Wine larger wineries.Marketing. A number of thesea much books smaller are annual required harvest texts that has at universitiesforum to demonstrate in Australia the system and andoverseas. been observed for more than a decade. accompanying fact sheet and publicity ‘We aim to hold a seminar for industry The ongoing low inflows into the Murray SPECIALthrough the OFFER Murray -Valley Winetit Winegrowersles Media extendsstakeholders an with offer presentations to members from ofa MurrayDarling Valley Basin will Winegrowers. mean that growers 25% will website. range of growers and winemakers with be faced with production pressures for off subscription to Grapegrower & experienceWinemaker with the magazine, varieties. This 25% will also off Winegrowing Industry season Directory,in future years. and Activities 10% offThe secondour online app, an bookstore. irrigation scheduling Visit www.winetitlinclude comparativees.com.au wine tastings.’ and use the couponwill focus codes on workshops at the thatcheckout. can assist and budgeting app, aims to provide grape growers and winemakers manage growers with daily recommendations This activity will be coordinated with with reduced water and adapt to a water regarding water applications. Riverland Wines, with similar programs constrained future.
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Murray Valley Winegrowers MVW News & Views
Preparing for a high Qfly year
Growers may experience more serious about the non-commercial fruit trees on problems with Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) their properties. this season, with a La Niña event underway and affecting south eastern Australia. “Do you have fruit trees on your property – around the house, at the back of the shed, Higher than normal rainfall and warmer or near the pump or pickers hut? It could be nights over summer, along with increased these trees that shelter fruit fly from the cold soil moisture, higher relative humidity, weed and dry conditions during winter, and the growth and other conditions that come with fruit can be infested from spring to autumn,” La Niña, are favourable to the survival and she said. spread of Qfly. “If your neighbours are growing stone fruit, Entomologist Andrew Jessup anticipates citrus, avocados, or table grapes, you are more Qfly problems in 2020–21, and more Queensland fruit fly supporting them and your community by problems in home gardens and commercial GSPFA regional coordinator Narelle Beattie removing any non-commercial host trees blocks in 2021–22, unless timely and from your property. adequate Qfly management options are in said in years with high Qfly pressure, crop place. loss may be experienced by industries that aren’t normally impacted, such as wine “You can also reduce the risk by putting nets over them or spraying them.” “Fruit flies may become out of control if grapes. not monitored at least weekly, even if it is raining,” Andrew said. If you would like more information on “The Hunter Valley experienced this in 2007 managing Qfly, the Greater Sunraysia Pest to 2008 due to elevated Qfly populations as “Monitoring means using traps to check for Free Area are here to help. Visit the website the presence and severity of Qfly, checking a result of mild and wet winters,” Narelle said. www.pestfreearea.com.au or contact : fruit for signs of infestation, and checking Narelle also reminded growers not to forget (03) 50 220 327 or [email protected] around your property for fruit fly host plants that should be managed by removal or protection.”
Andrew has put together a guide on the effects of La Niña on Qfly, which is available from the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (GSPFA) website: https://www.pestfreearea. com.au/newsletter
Step 1. Visit www.lmw.vic.gov.au and click on Manage your water/Water ordering.
Step 2. An information box will appear, click continue.
Step 3. To log in you will need your outlet number and PIN code. You can find this information on the back of your bill.
Step 4. If you need to update your contact details to receive SMS or email notifications, click on the update info button on the main page.
Step 5. Your Allocation Account (ABA) must always have a positive balance. Click on assessment at the top of the page to check your ABA.
Your ABA summary shows your current balance. You should allow for any usage since your last meter reading. To calculate this usage, go to the bottom of the page and enter your current meter reading.
For more information visit www.lmw.vic.gov.au/manageaba
www.lmw.vic.gov.au | 03 5051 3400 | [email protected]
10
DECEMBER 2020
n the 2 months ended eptem er 2020, the alue of Australian wine exports in reased y Wineper ent Australia to 2. illion - Value while olu ofme Australian de lined y 0. per wine ent to exports 77 million litrgrowses 5.7 million ases . The a era e alue of exports in reased y per ent to 3. per litre. alue is at the hi hest le el sin e exports hit the 3 illion mar in the se ond half of alendar year 2007. The rowth in alue was predominantly dri en y rowth in exports to the nited in dom and mainland hina. And the rowth has een parti ularly stron in the last uarter of the 2 month period see i ure . n uly to eptem er 2020, the alue of exports in reased y 23 per ent ompared to the same period in 20 . This omes after de lines of per ent in the April to une uarter and 7 per ent in the anuary to ar h uarter.
Figure 1: Value of exports by quarter (A$ million FOB)
xports in lass ottles in reased y 2 per ent in alue to 2. illion and de reased y 3 per ent in olume to 33 million litres 37 million litre ase e ui alents . This translated to 5 per ent in rease in the a era e alue of ottled exports to an e ual re ord 7. per litre also a hie ed in the 2 months ended April 2020 . This rise in a era e alue is due to an in rease in exports at hi h end of the pri e spe trum see pri e se ment se tion elow . npa a ed wine exports in reased y 3 per ent in alue to 57 million and 2 per ent in olume to 27 million litres 7 million litre ase e ui alents . The a era e alue of unpa a ed wine exports in reased y 0 per ent to .35 per litre. The a era e alue of unpa a ed exports has remained hi h, at le els not seen sin e late 200 , due to the relati e short supply of Australian wine in an already onstrained lo al supply situation see i ure 2 . The a era e alue of unpa a ed wine exports has rown onsistently year on year sin e mid 20 7, while pa a ed exports ha e lar ely een in rowth sin e early 20 .
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Murray Valley Winegrowers MVW News & Views
Figure 2: Average value per litre, packaged vs unpackaged exports
There was rowth in most pri e se ments, ut the rowth was parti ularly stron at the low and hi h ends. This is onsistent with trends in ma or wine mar ets around the world throu hout the pandemi , with rowth in premium wines ontinuin ut also a resur en e in ommer ial and alue wines.
12
DECEMBER 2020
Figure 3: Total exports by price segment ($ million FOB)
xports elow 2.50 per litre in reased y per ent, dri en y rowth in unpa a ed exports to the and other uropean destinations su h as ermany and enmar . There was also solid rowth at 5.00 to 7.50 per litre. The stron est rowth ame at the hi h end. xports at 50 or more per litre in reased y 3 per ent in alue to 3 million. The o erall 0 or more se ment in reased y per ent to .0 illion. oo in at the top four mar ets elow pro ides more detail on whi h mar ets are dri in the trends at ea h end of the pri e spe trum. xports to hina a o e 0 per litre rew y per ent durin the year, while exports to the elow 2.50 per litre rew y 22 per ent. eanwhile, the rowth in the nited tates of Ameri a A and anada is dri en y exports in middle pri e tiers.
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Murray Valley Winegrowers MVW News & Views
Figure 4: Change in value of exports by price segment in top 4 markets
n the 2 months ended eptem er 2020, Australian exporters shipped wine to 7 destinations down from 23 destinations in the same period in 20 . The most significant rowth ame in exports to urope, up per ent to 7 million and o er ta in orth Ameri a in alue terms for the first time sin e 20 . ost other ma or re ions also re orded alue rowth • orth ast Asia, y per ent to . illion • orth Ameri a, y 2 per ent to 3 million, and • eania, y 5 per ent to million.
14
DECEMBER 2020 F igure 5: Change in value of exports by region
Figure 5: Change in value of exports by region Figure 5: Change in value of exports by region Figure 5: Change in value of exports by region
TheThe top top fi fi ee d desestinationtinations ys y alu alue alle allre ord re orded rowthed rowth. They. They were w ere
•• ainland ainland hina, hina, up up per per en ten tot .2 to .2 illion illion The top fi e destinations y alue all re orded rowth. They were The• •top A, A,fi e upd upes tination per per e ntesnt to y to 3 3 alu millione allmillion re ord ed rowth. They were • ainland hina, up per ent to .2 illion •• , ainland , up up per per hina, e ntent to up to 30 30 per million millionent to .2 illion • A, up per ent to 3 million •• anada, A, anada, up up up per per pere nte nt toe ntto 3 to million million, million, and and • , up per ent to 30 million •• e , eww eup ealand aland per, up, up e nt per toper 30e nt e tont million 03to 03 million. million. • anada, up per ent to million, and • anada, up per ent to million, and ew • e aland ew is e a aland in ,the up top per 5 mar ent e tots 03 y alu million.e for the first time sin e 20 . in apore ew• e aland ew eis aland a in, up the pertop 5e marnt to e 03ts y million. alue for the first time sin e 20 . in apore dropped one pla e to sixth after the alue of exports de lined y per ent. dropped one pla e to sixth after the alue of exports de lined y per ent.
e w ealand is a in the top 5 mar ets y alue for the first time sin e 20 . in apore ew ealand is a in the top 5 mar ets y alue for the first time sin e 20 . in apore Thedropp tope dfi onee des pla tinatione to ssixth y olu aftmeer thewer e alu e of exports de lined y per ent. droppThe toped fi one e d pla estinatione to sixths y aft oluerme the w ealure e of exports de lined y per ent. • , up 0 per ent to 25 million litres • , up 0 per ent to 25 million litres The• top A, fi e downdestination per ents y to olu me million were litres The •top A,fi e d downestination pers y ent olu to me w millionere litres • ainland hina, down 2 per ent to 23 million litres • , up 0 per ent to 25 million litres • , ainland up 0 hina,per ent down to 25 2 millionper ent litres to 23 million litres • anada, down 7 per ent to 5 million litres, and • A, down per ent to million litres • A, anada, down down per 7 per ent ent to to 5 million million litres litres, and • ermany, up 7 per ent to 35 million litres. • ainland hina, down 2 per ent to 23 million litres • ainland ermany, hina,up 7 per down ent 2 to per 35 million ent to litres. 23 million litres • anada, down 7 per ent to 5 million litres, and • anada, down 7 per ent to 5 million litres, and 15 • ermany, up 7 per ent to 35 million litres. • ermany, up 7 per ent to 35 million litres. Murray Valley Winegrape Industry Development Committee