20 and 27 October – 8am AWST
Exporters seeking a brief introduction to the US market to determine if it’s the right fit for their brands can attend Wine Australia’s new two-part series ‘Export Ready USA’, launching 20 October 2021.
Join host Aaron Ridgway, Wine Australia’s Regional General Manager, Americas, as he shares tips and tools for navigating this complex market, followed by a Q&A session.
Find out more or register for the two-part series here.
The MRBTA Wine Tourism Excellence Award celebrates the importance of Wine Tourism to the Margaret River Wine Region. It also acknowledges that Wine Tourism and sales and exports are intrinsically linked.
The award recognises a person’s outstanding achievement in the Margaret River wine industry.
Cellar Door Managers within the Margaret River GI who have managed a single cellar door for at least 18 months are eligible to enter.
Judging will focus on future vision and achievements over the past financial year (July 2020 – June 2021).
Entrants will be assessed as individual managers rather than the company they are employed by to undertake this role.
Applications close Sunday 10 October.
Up to three finalists will be selected by the judging panel, made up of a representative of MRBTA, MRWA and a recognised wine tourism specialist.
The award winner will be presented with a trophy at the Langton’s 2021 Margaret River Wine Show Gala Awards Luncheon on Friday 29 October at Swings & Roundabouts and will receive a $2,000 education and training bursary.
To help us find the recipient of this year’s Wine Tourism Excellence Award presented by MRBTA please send their contact details to [email protected].
Or to apply yourself complete the application form and send to [email protected].
2020 – Paris Hokin, Arlewood Estate
2019 – Ulrika Larsson, Clairault | Streicker
2018 – Emily Bromell, Howard Park Wines
Presented by Happs Wines
Enter for a chance to be awarded a $2,000 education and training bursary!
Once again it is time to recognise the viticulture behind our great brands! Who couldn’t you have done without? Who would you like to recognise in your team for their hard work by nominating for viticultural excellence? Let’s give our tireless viticultural people some accolades to show how much we appreciate them.
Up to three finalists will be selected from the applicants by the judging panel, made up from industry professionals and previous winners. Each finalist will be required to provide an interview and tour of their vineyard to the judges. A winner will be determined after the site visits and interviews have been completed.
Tourism Workshops in Busselton 28 & 29 May
Tourism Council WA is offering a range of workshops in Busselton during February and May, providing you with the opportunity for professional development and to ensure you are up to date on the latest trends, research and opportunities for your business.
Registrations now open! For more information, or to register, click on the links above or visit www.tourismcouncilwa.com.au. Please note, spaces are limited. Tourism Council WA members receive a 50 per cent discount on training workshops.
Thursday 14 October, 3pm AWST
Looking at some of the latest trends and consumer insights, Wine Communicators of Australia, Wine Communicator of the Year Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting will share some practical tips and insights into direct and digital marketing considerations for the year ahead. She’ll touch on advertising trends, the role of different social media platforms and key themes to reach and engage your customers.
After this practical session with Trish, we will have an informal winemaker Q&A hosted by sommelier Bridget Raffal in conversation with Emma Norbiato of Calabria Family Wines. We encourage you to BYO something from NSW to enjoy for this part of the session.
Bridget Raffal is the Beverage Director at Where’s Nick Wine Bar and the founder of Women and Revolution – a new organisation representing and connecting women across all sectors of the wine industry. She currently sits on both the NSW Events Committee and the National Executive Committee for Sommeliers Australia.
Emma Norbiato is Chief Winemaker at Calabria Wines and has received widespread recognition for her winemaking skills, including ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2016 at the Australian Women in Wine Awards and a finalist for Gourmet Travellers 2019 ‘Winemaker of the Year’. She is a respected wine judge and a Len Evans Tutorial Scholar.
The event runs for one hour on zoom and will be packed full of useful information for maximum value, and minimum zoom fatigue.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW, $15 pp (WCA members & non-members)
Ticket holders will receive the link to join the virtual workshop via email the day prior.
Register here.
Module 1: Tuesday 19 October 10am- 12pm AWST
Module 2: Wednesday 20 October 10am- 12pm AWST
You are invited to attend a 2 x 2 hour interactive online session When
to make informed decisions on using e-commerce channels to Module 1
capitalise on the growing demand from Asian consumers. Tuesday
At out workshop you will: 19 October 2021
• Learn how to tap into the world’s largest e-commerce Module 2
market and access Asia’s rapidly expanding middle-class Wednesday
consumer base. 20 October 2021
• Gain a detailed overview of e-commerce platforms and
opportunities for SMEs in a variety of Asian markets, with a Time
key focus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 10.00 am – 12.00 pm AWST
(ASEAN), India and China.
• Understand supply chain models required for an e- Where
commerce strategy Webinar
• Consider cultural needs for marketing, social media and
building your brand in an Asian context
Learn more and register here
Dan Murphy’s would like to take this opportunity to invite submissions for the 2022 Dan Murphy’s and BWS Red Wine range review. In store live dates are early May with initial orders expected early April.
Both brands will be working closely together as they look to further curate their ranges to ensure they are locally relevant and reflective of current and future growth areas. Of particular focus are submissions in the following areas:
Other important points to note:
Dan Murphy’s Only
The red wine range review does not cover their entire red wine range. The following areas are Out Of Scope for this review, with these reviewed at different times of the year:
Whilst they are looking for new products to add to the existing range, they’ll also be reviewing the existing range based on the following metrics:
All products will be reviewed against their competitive set within each brand.
Range contraction will occur in varietals / price nodes with range duplication. Products that do not provide differentiation and / or have low customer loyalty will be removed from range. BWS in particular will be reviewing SKU proliferation in some store clusters, which may lead to a net reduction in those stores.
Change To Timelines and Process
Please read the following carefully as it contains important information regarding changes to timelines and submission processes.
If your product matches the above criteria and you wish to submit for ranging in either Dan Murphy’s and / or BWS, please complete the 2022 Endeavour Drinks Red Wine Submission Form no later than Friday 15th October. No physical product samples are required at this stage.
Suppliers of shortlisted products will then be invited to submit physical samples (either tank samples or finished goods) for assessment. All submissions will need to be made to the Endeavour Drinks Wine Panel via the Sample Submission Form with samples sent to Endeavour Drinks Wine Panel – Red Wine Review at 789 Heidelberg Road, Alphington, Victoria 3078 by no later than Friday 19th November.
Please do not send physical samples unless asked to do so.
Suppliers of successful products will then be invited to enter details into Partner Hub (if you do not have access to Partner Hub, please contact [email protected] in advance) with full set up needing to be complete by no later than Friday 24th December.
Please appreciate that they often receive in excess of 1,000 submissions and will not be able to provide feedback on all products to all suppliers, but they will endeavour to notify of any range changes in a timely manner.
Regards
The Endeavour Drinks Wine Team
Ian Wolfe – Category Manager Endeavour Fine Wine West – [email protected]
Mark Samaha – Assistant Category Manager Endeavour Fine Wine West – [email protected]
Rick Blundo – Assistant Category Manager Endeavour Fine Wine West – [email protected]
A very special project which included the coming together of so many producers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cabernet pioneers who started the journey we’re all now on.
In 2017, to celebrate 50 years of regional collaboration, all Margaret River producers were invited to submit a sample of their best single vineyard 2017 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon for this collaborative project.
Vasse Felix, Cape Mentelle, Juniper Estate, Hay Shed Hill, Leeuwin Estate, Voyager Estate, Lenton Brae, Brookland Valley, Deep Woods, Devils Lair, Heydon Estate, Xanadu, Flametree, Redgate Wines, Happs Wines, Rosily Vineyard, Stormflower Vineyard, Fraser Gallop Estate, Amelia Park Wines, Evans & Tate, McHenry Hohnen, Snake + Herring, Thompson Estate, Victory Point, Oates Ends, Ringbolt, Howard Park, Watershed, Cloudburst , Credaro Wines, Miles from Nowhere, Calneggia Family Vineyards and Swings & Roundabouts* samples were tasted blind on Friday 4 August 2017 by the winemaking team of Andrew Calliard MW, Cath Oates of Oates End, Virginia Willcock of Vasse Felix and Glenn Goodall of Xanadu Wines.
(* listed by age of vineyard)
A blend was produced using the Margaret River’s finest 2017 single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon lots submitted. Oak barrels donated for the maturation included a Sylvain Grande Reserve Chateau barrel from Mastercask and an Icone Elegance barrel from Seguin Moreau. After aging in oak for over 12 months, the final wine is a blend of the two barrels. The wine was bottled in 2018. 372 bottles were produced and have been sold through a series of charity auctions.
The label features an original landscape artwork by leading Margaret River artist, Mary-Lynne Stratton, winner of the 50th Anniversary Wine Label Art Prize.
30 September – Online
Navigating new winemaking trends-finding solutions to existing issues
Constant changes in markets, consumer preferences, regulation and lifestyles require winemakers to continually adapt and innovate to maintain their edge. This seminar aims to challenge winemakers to think outside the box as an industry and continue to challenge the way we make wine- why we make wine additions; why we filter; how we get our energy. Presenters will provide insight into the changes and trends and challenges winemakers to realise opportunities by embracing the risks of innovation by providing real-life problems and case studies from winemakers that have to meet the challenge positively.
Session 1 Global and domestic trends that are shaping winemaking
Session 2 Being brave enough to make change – pushing forward and embracing risk
Session 3 celebrating success- change management and innovation adoption
Find out more and register here.
Cost: ASVO Member $98.00, Non Member $140
Thursday 30 May 2024, 8 am – 7 pm
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Turning the Dial 2024 is a sustainability-themed event for the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Focused on food waste transformation, sustainable packaging innovation, and the circular economy, Turning the Dial has quickly established itself as the premier annual event for WA food and beverage manufacturers.
Turning the Dial seeks to guide businesses on their journey towards sustainability, while also facilitating invaluable networking opportunities across the supply chain. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in plenary sessions, panel discussions, breakout workshops presented by industry leaders renowned for their expertise in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, as well as in the realms of food waste transformation and sustainable packaging. Learn more.
A seminar exploring the use of visitor analytics systems to profile wine tourists and guide cellar door experience development and measurement.
Wineries can attract a diverse range of visitors, each looking for a tailored and unique experience. Using visitor tracking analytics and customer profiling it is possible to develop a wide range of activities and experiences and test their effectiveness and impact on cellar door ROI.
Using insights and techniques developed through their Wine Australia-funded research project, Dr Ben Thomas and Associate Professor Jeremy Galbreath will deliver a seminar on how wine producers can tier their cellar door service offering and maximise the value delivered to a range of different customer segments. Topics covered will include:
Margaret River Seminar Details
Date: Monday 3 November 2019
Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm
Location: South Regional TAFE – 272 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River
Morning tea/lunch provided
Swan Valley Seminar Details
Date: Wednesday 10 November 2019
Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm
Location: Mandoon Estate – 10 Harris Road, Caversham
Morning tea/lunch provided
Supported by Wine Australia, Wines of WA and DPIRD
Thursday 10 August 2023 | 10am AWST
This webinar presents the latest results from two projects. The first is a two-year trial exploring different methods of undervine management in the Riverland. Tom Lines and Tim Cavagnaro will present the latest results and implications of the data from this trial. The second trial is a collaboration between the University of Adelaide and the AWRI surveying undervine carbon stocks across the Limestone Coast and Barossa Valley. Tom Lines, Joseph Marks and Mardi Longbottom will share the fascinating findings and implications of this trial for Australian growers.
Presenters: Dr Thomas Lines (University of Adelaide), Prof. Tim Cavagnaro (Flinders University), Dr Mardi Longbottom (AWRI) and Joseph Marks (University of Adelaide)
Date: Monday, 11 September & Thursday, 14 September 2023
Time: 11:30pm – 3:30pm AWST
All vineyards, wineries and wine businesses seeking sustainability certification require an independent audit against the Australian Wine Industry Standards of Sustainable Practice – Viticulture (AWISSP-VIT1) and/or Australian Wine Industry Standards of Sustainable Practice – Winery (AWISSP-WIN1).
Please note: This is a virtual event, held over two half-days.
Zoom links will be provided.
You are required to attend BOTH days.
A Margaret River Wine stall is available each week for up to two MRWA Wine Producer members to:
The cost is $50+GST for eligible producers who meet this criteria:
To make a booking contact [email protected] with the date(s) you are interested in and we will confirm the availability.
Download Producer Criteria Guidelines
Testimonials
Victory Point Wine – “What a fabulously organised and welcoming vibe the Margaret River Farmers Market has! Arriving and getting set up was super easy, we had been allocated an incredible corner spot and being able to borrow a marquee from the organisers made it so smooth for us. The other stallholders gave us plenty of tips and help, and the reception from the attendees was engaged and positive. We even sold a bunch of wine! A great way to reach potential customers who are already shopping local. ” Sarah Flynn
Small Things Wine – “We were smashed!! Had we been open for another 30min we would’ve run out of wine!!” Ian Batt
Arlewood – “A great position – north and east facing stall. A wonderful opportunity to re-engage with the Margaret River community, have your brand associated with Margaret River’s regional produce and be on the top of passer’s by minds when visiting their next cellar door. Looking forward to showing off our wines at the stall again in late December.” Paris Hokin
The wine world is seeing an explosion of interest in regional wine stories told differently.
To satiate this interest, WA Wines to the World is endeavouring to uncover new and unique content that will capture the interest of international wine trade and consumers.
New or experienced writers with a passion for telling Western Australian wine stories are invited to send a 150-word story pitch to WA Wines to the World. Successful pitch writers will then be invited to submit their stories of 1000-1500 words, for which they will be paid $1 per word (AUD).
The stories will be used in the delivery of global wine activations across the UK, USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore. These include luxury wine tourism, luxury tastings, consumer tastings, educational campaigns and social media campaigns.
Pitch Brief
Pitches should be no longer than 150 words and must explain why this is a new story/angle; how this will express a new view or perspective on Western Australian wine; and why it will be of interest to international wine engaged consumers.
To submit a pitch, please email [email protected] with your name, contact details and pitch.
The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2021.
Xanadu Wines who established one of the Margaret River first vineyards in 1977, and now is one of the country’s most acclaimed wineries, takes a step further on their sustainability journey as one of the first wineries in Australia to be applying the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) certified Trust Mark on their wine labels, starting with the DJL range.
Xanadu Senior Winemaker Glenn Goodall says, “Xanadu joined the pilot program over a decade ago, becoming certified in 2012. We always believed the program would be worthwhile, and now we are excited to be one of the first wineries to begin using the SWA trust mark on our wine labels.
“It is a significant milestone for the whole team, which includes the much-appreciated efforts of our growers who have achieved SWA certification. It’s great to have growers joining us on our journey to continuously improve our environmental and sustainability credentials.”
Margaret River Wine Association CEO, Amanda Whiteland says, “The use of a SWA certified trust mark assures customers and consumers of the integrity and that that the vineyards and winery have met rigorous standards of sustainability”
Join us as we celebrate International Cabernet Day on Thursday 2 September, with USA wine critic Karen MacNeil as she chats with three Margaret River winemakers who are making world class Cabernet in this exciting virtual event.
Karen is the author of The Wine Bible the bestselling book on wine in the United States, as well as the creator and editor of WineSpeed. She was also recently named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Wine Business.
On Thursday, 2 September 2021, at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET (Friday, 3 September 2021, at 8am AWST) Karen MacNeil will be introducing:
🍷Cape Mentelle with Ben Cane, Winemaker and the CAPE MENTELLE Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
🍷Vasse Felix Wines with Virginia Willcock, Chief Winemaker and the VASSE FELIX Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
🍷 Clairault Streicker with Bruce Dukes, Chief Winemaker and the CLAIRAULT Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Register HERE
Also, if you missed the very informative Margaret River Chardonnay tasting and discussion on 25 June 2021, you can watch the Zoom recording HERE
Margaret River Region Chardonnay Tasting
Friday 10 September
Vasse Felix
The Margaret River Region Chardonnay Tasting is a time to celebrate everything that is great about Margaret River Chardonnay!
At the tasting we will be looking at samples from the 2021 Vintage. All Chardonnay producers are invited to submit samples and participate in the blind tasting.
How to get involved
If you have one or more representative vineyard samples from within the Margaret River GI Region you are encouraged to get involved. You are welcome to submit as many samples as you wish, with each sample to be supplied in 4 x 750ml bottles. All samples we receive will be open and available to taste.
Please note this will be a blind tasting, with technical and geographical data displayed for each sample. All participants are invited to bring a colleague to the tasting on 10 September, commencing at 10:30am for a 10:45am start.
Registrations & Information
To register your participation please do so here, or for more information please contact me on (08) 9756 5035 or by emailing [email protected]
We hope you can join us!
We are calling on all of our Fine Vines Festival venues, suppliers and partners to join forces with us to spread the word as far and wide as possible, so we can ensure a successful first year for all of us.
Here is a small schedule of promotion that we strongly encourage you to take part in. If everyone does what they can from their businesses, we have no doubt we’ll all be able to build the festival’s audience quickly.
We’re starting off with a Social Media Blitz on Thursday 26th August at 5pm. This is where everyone posts about Fine Vines Festival on the same day, at the same time in order to flood everyone’s news feeds so we can reach as many people as possible about the festival.
You can post about your Fine Vines event, or you can post about the festival in general. To make it easy for you, here is a link with some social tiles, images and suggested copy that you can use to schedule your posts.
Please make sure you tag the following:
Instagram
@finevinesfest
@margaretriver
@margaret_river_wine
@citybusselton
#finevinesfest #margaretriver #margaretriverwine #westernaustralia
Facebook
@FineVinesFestival
If you have any questions at all, please get in touch with Erin or Brianna at Ahoy Management.
The 2022 Halliday Wine Companion is out.
The coveted ‘Top Rated by Variety’ list in this year’s Halliday Wine Companion represented 335 top scoring wines, including 41 Sparkling wines and 6 Fortified wines.
62 wines are from Margaret River, representing 21.5% of the still wine list. A great result for a region which makes less than 2% of Australia’s wine.
Discover Margaret River’s Top Rated Wines by Variety!
Chardonnay
98 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2018 – Chardonnay of the Year
98 Cullen Kevin John 2019
98 Voyager Estate MJW Chardonnay 2018
97 Domaine Naturaliste Artus Margaret River Chardonnay 2019
97 Flametree S.R.S Wallcliffe Chardonnay 2019
97 Larry Cherubino Cherubino Chardonnay 2019
97 Larry Cherubino Dijon Wychwood Vineyard Chardonnay 2019
97 Pierro Chardonnay VR 2017
97 Stella Bella Luminosa Chardonnay 2019
97 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2019
97 Windows Estate La Fenetre Chardonnay 2017
97 Xanadu Chardonnay 2019
97 Xanadu Stevens Road Chardonnay 2019
Semillon
96 Moss Wood Wilyabrup Semillon 2020
95 Fermoy Estate Reserve Semillon 2019
Sauvignon Blanc
97 Cullen Legacy Sauvignon Blanc 2019
97 Flowstone Queen of the Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2019
97 Cullen Amber 2019
96 Flowstone Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2019
96 Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Elsa 2019
95 Clairault Streicker Bridgeland Block Fume Blanc 2019
95 Domaine Naturaliste Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc 2018
95 Redgate Ullinger Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020
95 Vasse Felix Blanc X 2020
95 Window Estate Petit Lot Fume Blanc 2019
Other Whites and Blends
96 L.A.S. Vino CBDB Chenin Blanc Dynamic Blend 2019
96 Pierro L.T.C. Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2020
96 Windows Estate Petit Lot Chenin 2019
Rose
96 Deep Woods Estate Rose 2020
95 L.A.S. Vino Albino PNO 2019
95 Larry Cherubino Willows Vineyard Rose 2020
95 Nocturne Sangiovese Nebbiolo Rose 2020
Pinot Noir
96 Moss Wood Wilyabrup Pinot Noir 2018
96 Victory Point Pinot Noir 2019
Grenache
97 McHenry Hohnen Hazel’s Vineyard GSM 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon
99 Cullen Vanya Wilyabrup Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
98 Moss Wood Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
98 Xanadu Wines Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
97 Amelia Park Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
97 Corymbia Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
97 Deep Woods Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
97 Deep Woods Estate G5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
97 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
97 Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
97 Nocturne Sheoak Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
97 Stella Bella Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
97 Voyager Estate MJW Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
97 Xanadu Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Cabernet and Family
98 Cullen Diana Madeline 2018
98 Cullen Diana Madeline 2019
98 Peccavi Estate Merlot 2018
97 Cullen Legacy Series Fruit Day Malbec 2019
97 Deep Woods Estate Single Vineyard Cabernet Malbec 2019
97 McHenry Hohnen Vintners Rolling Stone 2017
97 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2017
97 Wills Domain Paladin Hill Matrix 2019
96 Domaine Naturaliste Le Naturaliste Cabernet Franc 2018
96 Flametree Jeremy John Cabernet Malbec 2018
96 Juniper Estate Aquitaine Rouge 2018
96 Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Merlot 2018
96 Woodlands Emily 2019
Congratulations to all the grape growers and winemakers!
Vanya Cullen wins the inaugural Viticulturist of the Year in the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, with her wines being recognised as exemplifying best practice and sustainability in the vineyard.
Vanya was delighted and said “I feel very honoured and grateful to receive this award at this time of Cullen’s 50th anniversary and am grateful to all the many people and the land and nature herself for all the contributions towards this inaugural award win.”
The win coincides with Cullen Wines marking half a century since planting their first Cabernet vines. Vanya noted “It’s 50 years of sustainable wine growing preceded by 65,000 years of Wadandi sustainable land care.”
Cullen Wines has been organic and certified biodynamic for more than 20 years and is the only ‘carbon positive’ winery in Australia, achieving certification in 2019. The vineyard sequesters more carbon than the business emits.
Congratulations Vanya! We raise a glass with you to celebrate your win and the 50th anniversary since the Cullen Estate was planted in 1971.
A curated selection of seasonal wine events designed for every palate.
If there’s one thing better than a wine festival, it’s a festival that fuses the mastery of different blends with the wildness of the region and the uniqueness of its produce.
Over 10 days this October, you’re invited to celebrate the craft that has shaped the Margaret River region for over half a century and experience the ultimate in gastronomic brilliance.
Margaret River is, of course, a desirable destination in its own right, now offering a collection of unmissable, upmarket moments scattered throughout its world class wineries. Whether your skill level is ‘aficionado’ or ‘occasional drinker’, the event offering of Fine Vines Festival invites you to explore all aspects of the famed region through a blend of tastings and tours, dining experiences, masterclasses and exclusive museum wines.
Uncover which grape variety speaks to you the most; get to know the intricacies of blending Bordeaux-style wine or have an intimate exploration of the world’s original grape chameleon, Chardonnay. Patrons can peruse the full list of events on the festival website.
For those that want to discuss the difference between a Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, a selection of red based events could tickle your fancy.
See below for this week’s decanting of red wine events:
Blend it like Bordeaux – Get to know the intricacies of blending Bordeaux-style wine at Cape Grace with winemaker Conrad Tritt. Learn the structure and style traits of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec before creating a wine to suit your palate under Conrad’s astute guidance. Walk away with a new understanding of how these supporting varietals give prominence to the Margaret River Region king, Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an intimate event with limited spots available.
Syrahcentric – Lovers of Syrah and Shiraz can dive deep into the similarities and differences of these two wine styles with trophy-winning winemaker Bruce Dukes of Domaine Naturaliste. Take a tasting tour of the Rhone Valley, South Australia and return to Margaret River with six wines showcasing classic examples of these two wine styles, accompanied by a selection of charcuterie.
Vineyard to Cabernet Masterclass – Small family-run vineyards are an intrinsic part of the Margaret River Region wine fabric. Join Grace Farm’s viticulturist Tim Quinlan with cellar door manager Julie Hartley and get an insight into this winemaking world, touring the vineyard’s Cabernet Franc vines before experiencing a vertical Cabernet Sauvignon tasting from Grace Farm’s first vintage in 2011 until now. This masterclass includes ten tastings, seven Cabernets and three incredible museum reserve wines, accompanied by shared grazing platters.
Tickets are now on sale via the festival website www.finevinesfestival.com.au.
You can also discover more via the Fine Vines Festival Facebook and Instagram
Locals and visitors to the Margaret River region will couple their love for wine with a luxurious film experience this month when Australia’s premier destination film festival CinefestOZ returns to the South West for the 14th time.
Loaded with a stack of cinematic events in Margaret River as well across the areas of Augusta, Busselton, and Bunbury – CinefestOZ will have film buffs on the edge of their seats with its biggest offering yet of more than 270 exciting events.
Wine lovers not wishing to venture far from the sights of the State’s most beautiful vineyards can still be fully immersed in the action as a broad range of screenings, premieres, In Conversation dining experiences and workshops go full speed ahead right in the HEART of Margaret River.
Kick off the five-day Festival week on Tuesday August 24 at Margaret River’s Opening Night, headlined by the World Premiere of Facing Monsters. Taking place at Margaret River HEART, this intriguing documentary details a remarkable portrait of enigmatic free surfer Kerby Brown as he defies logic to take on some of the world’s most dangerous slab waves off the rugged coast of Western Australia.
Going ahead in the home of the much-loved Margaret River Pro surfing competition, viewing the World Premiere of this engaging film couldn’t be done in a better way. A red carpet event prior to the screening at 6pm will set the stage perfectly for this highly anticipated film. Back it up with an In Conversation lunch with filmmakers the following day at Burger Baby to get all the ins and outs of how this doco was brought to life.
Going ahead just down the road to open the Festival in Augusta on Wednesday August 25 will be the World Premiere of Akoni, headed by wonderful pre screening party at Augusta Community Resource Centre. CinefestOZ is thrilled to return to this beautiful town in 2021 to host such an engaging film that tells the story of a homeless Nigerian refugee who struggles to integrate into Australian society after escaping the clutches of Boko Haram.
But wait, that’s just two days of the Festival out of a whopping five! There’s still so much more to jump into while in the Margaret River Region.
Travel a little further on Thursday August 26 to the bustling hub of Bunbury for a wine experience like no other. Watch the West Australian premiere of Blind Ambition, documenting the story of four refugees who conquer all odds to become South Africa’s top sommeliers, before an intriguing virtual Q&A with the filmmakers. Then, roll on down to Mojos Restaurant to enjoy canapes and a blind wine-tasting journey of your own with experienced Sommelier, Jake Atkinson.
Friday August 27 will have you a little closer to home with the World Premiere of Film Prize Finalist, River at Orana Cinemas Busselton. River is one of four Australian films competingfor the Country’s richest Film Prize of $100,000AUD and will be backed up by a fun-filled after party at the Esplanade Hotel.
Finally, wrap the week’s festivities in the best way possible with the WA Premiere of Under the Volcano on Saturday August 28. Charting the rise and fall of AIR Studios Montserrat, the recording studio at the centre of the pop universe in the 1980s, this is a cracking film to end the week on. A pre screening event will go ahead at Margaret River HEART from 6pm and an immersive Q&A will follow.
Grab a glass of wine and view the full CinefestOZ festival program online for further insight into all the Festival has to offer.
Tickets to events can be purchased here, and the CinefestOZ App is available now for your added booking convenience.
Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a co-regulatory organisation that supports the ambition of consumers, industry and government to build a sustainable national packaging ecosystem. APCO supports companies of all sizes on this journey by providing the insights, resources and programs to meet their customers and governments expectations.
Over the coming weeks, APCO with the support of government, will be contacting a number of liable businesses about their sustainable packaging obligations under the National Environmental Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (UPM NEPM). The UPM NEPM is in place to ensure businesses reduce the environmental impact of their packaging in Australia.
Businesses can access support by joining APCO and becoming a signatory of the Australian Packaging Covenant. The Covenant is an agreement based on product stewardship principles by governments and industry participants in the packaging supply chain. It means anyone who designs, produces, sells, or uses packaging, must take responsibility for minimising the environmental impact of it throughout its life cycle.
The APCO Membership provides businesses with the tools, resources and support to track and improve their packaging sustainability. It also empowers businesses to meet the 2025 National Packaging Targets and new sustainable packaging legislation being set by state and federal governments.
To help you meet your sustainable packaging obligations, please find a toolkit with information below:
Learn about ways to save energy, and money in the winery!
MRWA Sustainability Engagement Officer, Kate Morgan will present a case study on how Xanadu has saved energy (& money) with solar panel installation and more.
Date: Wednesday 13 September 2023
Time: 9.00am-11am
Location: South Regional TAFE, Room W10, 272 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River
Cost: Free for members of the Margaret River Wine Association, $25 for non-members.
In challenging times, it’s easy to get caught up in running your business and miss out on opportunities to advance, optimise, adapt and develop your business as a result. This event has been designed for business owners and senior management as a forum to understand trends, solutions, and options from international industry leaders and key service providers. It brings togetheris the Australian grape and wine community to discuss important topics, including business culture, finance, risk, and licence to operate. There will be presentations about new tools and best practices to help you succeed in today’s dynamic marketplace, and you’ll also get to network with others facing the same challenges as you. ASVO is here to help in these challenging times for many businesses by gathering like-minded individuals to share knowledge and a better future.
Tuesday 27 July – 12pm to 1pm AWST
Exporting wine or looking to start? Get ready for myth busting insights into the Australian Wine Sector, exporting war stories and hidden gems that may open doors to wine exporting opportunities for your business.
The wine sector has been hit hard by the pandemic and changing global trade measures.
SW Accounts & Advisors be exploring the issues and opportunities for exporters of Australian Wine with real life scenarios, war stories from experts and no cliches!
Join them and experts from across South Korea, Japan and India as they:
• Explore the latest in the Australian Wine landscape with Stuart Barclay, General Manager, Marketing at Wine Australia
• Discover the tastes, competitive landscape and export potential for Australian wines across South Korea, Japan and India
• Provide practical tips via Q&A to make your export diversification ideas your reality.
Join us on the 29th of July (from 9.30am – 10.30am) to be informed of the current activities being undertaken in the WA WINES TO THE WORLD program and to hear from global logistics provider Hillebrand on the topic of shipping and logistics from a WA wine industry perspective.
This is the first of our quarterly Zoom info sessions, designed to update WA wine exporters on our program activities and provide information about specific practical topics of interest.
This session will cover:
WA WINES TO THE WORLD – Program Update
Shipping & Logistics:
There will also be time for Q&A after the presentation.
Register to attend here.
2021 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge to Unite.
The James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenges will be ‘blended’ and judged simultaneously for the first time in August 2021.
The James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge is a celebration of the world’s most popular two varieties and Australia’s outstanding regional diversity.
Margaret River Wine Association and Wine Yarra Valley will collaborate and jointly host the Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenges. They will be judged in the Yarra Valley in August this year and then will move between the two iconic regions on alternate years.
Born in the Yarra Valley in 2012, the James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge celebrates all chardonnays in its quest to find the nation’s best. Chardonnay is Australia’s most planted white variety and the continuing evolution of its style by Australian makers is heralded globally.
The James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge was launched in 2016. As the world’s most widely planted vine and Australia’s third most planted variety, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Australian wine’s great success stories.
“The decision to bring the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Challenges together in August provides a win-win scenario for all the stakeholders. This year the Challenges will be held in the Yarra Valley, next year in Margaret River. The results will provide a unique snapshot of the state of play of these two great varieties.” James Halliday
The highest pointed wines for each variety will be rewarded with the James Halliday Trophy and the regional winners with scores of 95 points or more are also recognised.
Entries are open until Friday 30th July 2021. Judging will take place Monday 23rd August – Wednesday 25th August 2021 in the Yarra Valley, and a comprehensive contingency plan is in place if changes are required.
Enter via ShowRunner at https://wineshow.awri.com.au/2021-halliday-cabernet-chardonnay-challenge
For further information contact:
Wine Yarra Valley – Sarah Donnellan, Marketing Coordinator [email protected]
Margaret River Wine – Pip Heaford, Communications & Events Manager [email protected]
Margaret River Wine and Wine Yarra Valley are the official and peak wine industry bodies in their respective regions. While each is passionate about their own area, they are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with another Australian fine wine region.
Origins Market has an opportunity for a collective of wineries to share a space and staff in the Urban cellar door. Great opportunity for wineries looking to expand, or are needing a temporary cellar door while building or just wanting to sell direct to consumer without all the overheads.
Expressions of interest are open now for anyone wanting to find out more about the collective.
Find out more about the Winery Collective
Find out about leasing your own space
Contact Cassy Howard for more details, to register your interest in the collective or to discuss a pop-up space.
0457 503 636 | [email protected]
Program Update & Info Session: The Changing Global Consumer
Join WA Wines to the World on Thursday 2nd September from 9.30am – 10.30am to hear about the changing expectations of global consumers, from Wine Consumer specialists, Wine Intelligence.
This is the second of their Zoom info sessions, designed to update WA wine exporters on their program activities and provide information about specific practical topics of interest.
This session will cover:
There will also be time for Q&A after the presentation.
Register to attend here.
As workforce shortages look set to continue in 2022, tourism and hospitality providers are invited to meet with local workers who are ready and equipped with the basic skills required to enter the industry, as part of Tourism WA’s Hospitality Job Connect Program.
The 5-day Hospitality introductory course is aimed at High School Year 12 Non ATAR and ATAR, and Year 11, as well as those seeking to work in the industry, and aims to train local people for jobs in the Margaret River Region.
Renowned chef Tony Howell and South Regional TAFE Margaret River will lead the program, which will deliver a range of exciting nationally accredited elements, including:
Customer service training
Barista (coffee making) skills
Safe food handling techniques
CV support/work readiness tips
Masterclasses led by chef Tony Howell
Onsite days at two local hospitality venues
Statement of attainment for successfully completed units
On the final day of the program, local employers are invited to attend a morning tea to connect with the job-ready participants. Employers
in the Margaret River Region with job vacancies available are encouraged to register their interest in attending.
When: Friday 3 December
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Where: The River Hotel, 40 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River
At the event, businesses will be asked to give a quick 2 minute introduction, detailing their current job vacancies and types of candidates they are looking for.
4 August 2021 12:00pm – 1:00pm AWST
Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) invites you to join us them as they discuss the Recycled Content Guide (launching later this month), a practical new resource to support Australian organisations to use more recycled content in their packaging. The resource provides clear and practical information on the importance of incorporating recycled content into packaging, and practical steps for businesses. This webinar delves into how the guide will benefit your organisation throughout all stages of the sustainable packaging journey. Facilitated by Alison Appleby with special guest speakers Richard Smith (Amcor) and Andrew Smith (PACT Group).
The Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 have been announced and congratulations to the Margaret River Award Winners!
Best in Show
Fermoy Reserve Chardonnay 2019
Platinum
Stella Bella Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2019
Stella Bella Luminosa Chardonnay 2019
Gold
Cape Naturaliste The Sextant Appassimento 2018
Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2017
Deep Woods Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2020
Deep Woods Estate Grand Selection Yallingup Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Fermoy Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Forester Estate Home Block Shiraz 2019
Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Gralyn Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2018
Gralyn Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
The Decanter World Wine Awards is the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. Find out more here.
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) compliance audits will be commencing next month in South Australia, Victoria and Western Australian vineyards. In WA, businesses are covered by either federal and state legislation depending on the structure of your business. Note that the audits will only be conducted in businesses that are operating under the federal legislation. You can review a fact sheet here to help you determine your status but we recommend you take further advice if unclear.
The FWO has indicated its Inspectors will commence vineyard visits around the time that pruning is underway, and further inspections will be undertaken during the vintage 2022 grape harvest. See fact sheet here on your recordkeeping obligations under federal legislation.
Australian Grape & Wine understands they will be focussing on:
Producers who require further assistance can contact the following:
Wines of WA is liaising with CCIWA and SA Wine Industry Association to ensure WA producers have access to required information ahead of the audits.
Read the full details, including the impacts on Australian grape and wine producers here.
GROWING SEASON
A good part of the vintage growing season happens in the prior year. For vintage 2021, the growing season was a mild spring in 2020, with reasonable but not extreme rainfall, which is excellent growing conditions for vines.
Budburst and flowering across all varieties were normal. Crops were good but not excessive and things looked promising from very early on.
The La Niña weather system created a strong cyclone season in the north of Western Australia resulting in increased rainfall and unusual conditions across the region.
November was significantly wet, double the long-term average, with 14 days of rain.
Fortunately, in December and January, the region experienced virtually no rain and warmer than average mean maximum temperatures. The cool nights allowed the vines some reprieve from the hot days.
As harvest was commencing in early February, the region saw significant rainfall. This rainfall soaked deep into the soils and was great timing for the later ripening Cabernet Sauvignon to have a drink. Warm weather and a period of high humidity (for Margaret River) followed, which increased the risk of disease pressure in some vineyards.
HARVEST CONDITIONS
“Overall a vintage of extreme weather conditions. Weather conditions resulted in a lot of work in the vineyards. It was a season that we had to keep tweaking canopy structure and potentially taking some risks as the weather changed and it was hard to predict what was going to happen next.” David Moulton, Cape Mentelle, Viticulturist
Early February was very windy, and then on the 7th and 8th, there was a significant rain event that had most of the region a little bit on edge. The whites had finished veraison, so all the berries were soft, and the reds were still mid-veraison.
Marri tree blossom was moderate, therefore there was not too much bird pressure, but nets were still applied to the vines across the region.
It was quite humid for a while, which made it a bit more challenging than what the region is accustomed to. The humidity caused a bit of botrytis pressure in some vineyards and required careful fruit selection. Growers reacted with leaf plucking across the reds to improve airflow and some fruit dropping to ensure physiological ripeness was achievable.
Reds progressed nicely into Autumn with some expressive fruit, the tannins seemed to take a little longer to evolve which saw a rush at the end to take the fruit off before cyclone Seroja hit Western Australia on 11th April.
Those who put in the extra work will no doubt reap the rewards. As usual, the best vineyards will rise to the top.
Labour shortages deserve a mention. It necessitated a lot of pre-planning and forecasting by the wineries to ensure harvesting could be achieved when required. Many were affected and called on anyone available to help with the harvest. Many wineries called on their cellar door staff, stranded travellers and retirees to assist with some hand picking this year.
It seems everyone across the region rolled up their sleeves and got to work to ensure that it would be another successful vintage.
THE WINES
“Across the region, the vineyard teams all look a little weary but the winemakers seem to be pleasantly surprised and excited about the quality that they have received.” David Moulton, Cape Mentelle, Viticulturist
Early observations indicate that white varieties had incredible flavour at lower baume than usual and retained natural acidity. There is purity and varietal expression and all at lower potential alcohol levels. Chardonnay is looking very elegant. Sauvignon Blanc is a standout this season.
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is looking great in ferment. It has a purity and aromatic profile that should progress into a wine that will age gracefully. The tannins are super polished and fine.
The 2021 yields were below the Margaret River long-term average but up 6% versus last year to 30,150 tonnes.
Image: David Moulton, Viticulturist at Cape Mentelle and the Langton’s Margaret River Wine Show 2020 Viticultural Excellence Award Winner.
Winepartners Nordic is one of the largest importers in Norway and one of the top 5 independent importers.
The Norwegian monopoly, in charge of the sale of alcoholic beverages in that country, has opened some interesting opportunities for wines from Western Australia, and for us these opportunities are strategic. Please find the description of the requested wines below these lines.
Specifications (ref #202201003):
Specifications (ref #202203002):
Specifications (ref #202203003):
Specifications (ref #202203005):
Winepartners seek to make a price proposal that points towards an accessible retail, aspiring to high sales and a long-term business that allows the brand to be extended in the future. In addition, prices can be reevaluated and raised after 7 months on the market.
If you would like more information contact [email protected]
Winepartners Nordic
[email protected]
www.winepartnersnordic.no
Strømsveien 43
0658 Oslo-Norway
Exceptional wine, extraordinary experiences –
A wine lover’s paradise at Fine Vines Festival this spring.
Wine lovers rejoice! Tickets are now on sale for Fine Vines Festival, the Margaret River region’s newest festival celebrating all things wine, with a first-release program of over 30 events taking place this spring between October 15th – 24th. The program shines a spotlight on the people, places and passion behind the region’s much-loved and highly regarded wine and offers exclusive experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Festival goers can expect to meet the winemakers and grape growers, see first-hand where and how different wines are made, taste the difference between vintages, terroir, oak, aging methods, and blends; discover new varietals or a new appreciation for old ones; stock their cellars with new release, museum and large format wines; and of course enjoy it all in the stunning locations of the Margaret River Wine Region that spans from Busselton to Augusta.
Tickets to Fine Vines Festival events are now on sale via the festival website www.finevinesfestival.com.au.
Organisers suggest following Fine Vines Festival on social media via Facebook and Instagram for updates and to see what events are taking place. You can also visit the website www.finevinesfestival.com.au.
The Fine Vines Festival is supported by Margaret River Wine Association, Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, City of Busselton and Shire of Augusta Margaret River.
19th – 21st May 2023
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Visit the Margaret River Pavilion or treat yourself to the VIP Lounge presented by Margaret River Wine.
The Good Food & Wine Show presented by Citi, is the perfect day out for food and wine lovers. Enjoy a fantastic day out with friends and wander through the show, sampling from hundreds of stalls by local producers, chatting to winemakers and distillers and hearing their stories. Join in the fun of a masterclass from wine and cheese pairing to whisky tasting, graze pop-up restaurants, then sit back and be entertained by your favourite chefs as they demonstrate their delicious recipes live on-stage.
23rd – 25th June 2023
ICC Sydney
Visit the Margaret River Pavilion or treat yourself to the VIP Lounge presented by Margaret River Wine.
The Good Food & Wine Show presented by Citi, is the perfect day out for food and wine lovers. Enjoy a fantastic day out with friends and wander through the show, sampling from hundreds of stalls by local producers, chatting to winemakers and distillers and hearing their stories. Join in the fun of a masterclass from wine and cheese pairing to whisky tasting, graze pop-up restaurants, then sit back and be entertained by your favourite chefs as they demonstrate their delicious recipes live on-stage.
Time: 11:30am to 3:30pm AWST
All vineyards, wineries and wine businesses seeking sustainability certification require an independent audit against the Australian Wine Industry Standards of Sustainable Practice – Viticulture (AWISSP-VIT1) and/or Australian Wine Industry Standards of Sustainable Practice – Winery (AWISSP-WIN1).
Please note: This is a virtual event, held over two days.
Zoom links will be provided.
You are required to attend BOTH days.
POSTPONED
Workshop – Wednesday 19 January: Functional Biodiversity Enhancement – the Native Solution
Full day workshop seminar & networking event for Viticulturists, Grape Growers and Farmers
Field Day – Date TBC: – Growing Biodiversity on our Vineyards, with in field practical demonstrations*
Full day field workshop event for Viticulturists, Grape Growers and Wine Producers – Limited to 20 participants only.
Due to the uncertainty around travel in January the Field Workshop date will be confirmed when we are certain Mary will be able to travel to WA. The Workshop Seminar will be presented remotely if need be.
Find out more and register for the workshop here.
A new hero wine event, Fine Vines Festival, has been announced for the Margaret River region this spring, taking place between Friday October 15 and Sunday October 24.
The festival is set to celebrate the people, passion and places that make Margaret River the renowned winemaking region it is, over a series of more than 35 events throughout the 10 days.
The festival will allow visitors to get up close and personal with the region’s growers, winemakers and venues, including exclusive behind-the-scenes visits to vineyards that aren’t usually open to public, incredible wine degustations such as the Vasse Felix Heyetesbury Chardonnay Dinner and Leeuwin Estate Art Series Lunch, In Conversation sessions with key sommeliers and wine producers, and museum and vertical tastings of some of the region’s most iconic wines.
Festival Director Erin Molloy from AHOY Management said Fine Vines is a unique offering of events dedicated to showcasing the quality and depth of the Margaret River wine region.
Ms Molloy said, “For the aficionados and the occasional drinkers alike, the festival invites people to discover new aspects of our wine region through tastings and tours, masterclasses, dinners and exclusive museum wines.”
Margaret River Wine Association CEO Amanda Whiteland said, “Margaret River is without question one of the world’s greatest wine regions, and the idea behind the Fine Vines Festival was to celebrate this special time of year in the vineyards and the world-class wines produced here through a series of unique wine experiences”.
“October is such a special time of year to visit the Margaret River wine region. It is Kambarang, or second Spring in the Noongar six season calendar, with wildflowers abound. It’s also when we expect to see a lot of new release wines.”
The full program and tickets will go on sale in late June. A taster of what’s to come on the program is listed below:
Icon Chardonnay Dinner at Vasse Felix – A celebration of Margaret River’s Queen varietal. Join Chief Winemaker Virginia Willcock on an exploration of the power, concentration of flavour and fresh acidity that define great Margaret River Chardonnay, with a focus on cult Icon, the Heytesbury Chardonnay. Over a six course menu, discover the nuances of site selection and winemaking techniques which create the subtle, hallmark wild characters that distinguish the Vasse Felix style. Featuring a wine focussed menu paired to selections from the Vasse Felix Chardonnay collection, including museum vintages of Heytesbury Chardonnay.
The Art of Fine Wine at Leeuwin Estate – A winemaker’s masterclass. Discover the story behind Leeuwin Estate’s acclaimed Art Series Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in a two-hour, winemaker-led masterclass set against the backdrop of the Leeuwin Art Gallery. Experience the wines’ renowned age-worthiness across 15 current and museum release Art Series tastings, connecting the emotion of wine expression to the contemporary Australian art works that adorn both the labels and the gallery walls. A three-course lunch finds its match in accompanying museum release Art Series wines after the masterclass.
Pet Nat Party at Bungalow Social – Dunsborough’s Bungalow Social is giving up its back deck to celebrate Margaret River Region Pétillant Natural, giving the oldest of sparkling winemaking methods a contemporary reboot. Some of the region’s favourite Pet Nats will be poured alongside a selection of fried chicken snacks running the gamut from tacos to wings. Relax with friends and raise your complimentary glass of Pet Nat to the DJ’s smooth beats.
In Praise of Pink at Flametree – Margaret River region rosé is the star at flametree winery’s collaborative tasting event. This increasingly popular wine style is getting its time in the spotlight at a rosé tribute where fine wines meet floral fashions at Flametree. Don your best Spring ensemble and take to the “pink” carpet to celebrate the sparking, dry and sweet rosé styles from Margaret River’s wineries. Learn about rosé from local winemakers against a styled backdrop with live music at an event that pays homage to this elegant and youthful varietal.
Sparkling Sundowner at Howard Park Wines – Raise a glass to the sinking sun.
Oysters, sparkling wine and the golden glow of last light. The romance of sparkling wine finds expression at Howard Park Wines this International Champagne Day. Guests will enjoy a glass of Petit Jeté on arrival, and an ensuing experience of winemaking excellence that allows soiree attendees to choose their own class of bubbles – including French Champagne from the winery’s Burch Family Wines’ arm. A taste of elegance and Méthode Traditionelle in the heart of the Margaret River Region.
Around the World in a Wine Glass at Rustico, Hayshed Hill – Satisfy your wanderlust. An experience of the world beyond the South West wine region means an evening of winemaker Michael Kerrigan’s World Series wines matched to a six-course meal by Rustico at Hay Shed Hill. A transformative taste to fuel unrequited wanderlust. Western Australia’s own jazz supremo Jessie Gordon will set the tone for a dinner designed to transport you afar.
Wine on the Water with Clairault Striecker – Whale watch with wine in hand.
Step aboard a 20-metre catamaran from the Quindalup Boat Ramp and join the team from Clairault Streicker on a sunset canape cruise in search of whales as they begin their migration season along the Cape Leeuwin Naturaliste ridge. Canapés suited to the seas will be served alongside Clairault wines in a guided tasting. A definitive Margaret River Region experience that showcases the wild beauty of a landscape producing some of the world’s best wines.
Syrahcentric at Domaine Naturaliste – An exploration of shiraz and Syrah. Lovers of Syrah and Shiraz can dive deep into the similarities and differences of those two wine styles with trophy-winning winemaker Bruce Dukes at Domaine Naturaliste. Take a tasted tour of the Rhone Valley, South Australia and return to Margaret River via six wines showcasing classic examples of the two styles, accompanied by a selection of charcuterie.
Spring Garden Party at Voyager Estate – A progressive Voyager Tasting.
Experience Voyager beyond the dining room with a four-stop progressive food and wine tasting through the Estate’s famed Cape Dutch-style gardens. The new release of Project Pet Nat will combine with crowd favourites of sparkling Chenin Blanc and the winery’s acclaimed Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon styles, matched to head chef Santiago’s beautifully executed bites. Learn from chefs and winemakers on hand, and finish the afternoon alfresco with DJ sets and a marron bun or gourmet hot dog from the grill.
Organisers suggest following Fine Vines Festival on social media via Facebook and Instagram for updates and to see what events are taking place. You can also visit the website www.finevinesfestival.com.au
The Fine Vines Festival is supported by Margaret River Wine Association, Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, City of Busselton and Shire of Augusta Margaret River.
The Undalup Association together with the SWCC invite you to come along for a Cultural Presentation with Wadandi/Pibulmun Cultural Custodian Iszaac (Waalitj) Webb with the Wadandi Rangers, to learn how local Aboriginal people Traditionally used fire to Care for Country in a Culturally respectful way. The knowledge shared will assist you to learn how to manage bushland, including timing, frequency, intensity, what and where to burn and not to burn.
Saturday 12 June, Busselton – Register Here
Saturday 19 June – Donnybrook – Register Here
Date: Tuesday 22 June 2021
Time: 9:00 am to 1.30 pm (lunch provided)
Venue: Shelter Brewing
Forming strategic partnerships with others can benefit both sides, bringing added value to your business.
Western Australian food and beverage producers are invited to attend a half-day interactive workshop, presented by international partnering expert Ian Dixon, which will include:
Join this free industry event brought to you by Food Industry Innovation at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
13 & 14 June 2021
Experiential Travel Summit – collaboration, co-design and a bold approach to wine, food and tourism experiences
The Experiential Travel Summit (ETS), held at various Margaret River wineries on 13 and 14 June, is an out of the box wine, food and tourism event that will bring innovation, agility and new ways of thinking about visitor experiences.
The new conference is specifically created for professionals and business owners working in marketing, communication, customer experience, business operations and content creation in the wine, food, hospitality and tourism industries. ETS is particularly relevant for wine tourism where businesses are looking to differentiate, both individually and regionally. It was created to support and elevate businesses to go beyond delivering an experience, it’s aim is to help business make their story part of the visitors’ story.
Attendees can expect practical workshops, skills development opportunities, and exposure to unexpected thinking to push people out of their comfort zone and help the industry move from strength to strength. The program is designed with speakers and workshops that get straight to the point, addressing common challenges, pain points and mapping unexpected solutions.
MRWA Members receive a 25% discount.
To access the discounted price:
– go to the book tickets page here
– click on ‘Access Hidden Tickets’
– input the discount code ETSMRWINES to receive 25% off the standard ticket price
Tuesday 29 June 2021
Grape growers and wine producers are invited to attend this workshop featuring Dr Mardi Longbottom from the Australian Wine Research Institute. Learn more about the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia program and how you can get involved to improve your business’ sustainability credentials. Producers already involved in the program or those interested in participating are encouraged to attend.
The half day program will include:
9.30am – 1.00pm
Margarets In Town (Townview Room)
Cnr Bussell Hwy & Tunbridge St, Margaret River
Registration to [email protected]
This is a free workshop. Please include dietary requirements with your RSVP.
Qantas is now accepting submissions for their annual tasting to be held from 5th to 7th July.
Key Information
To submit wine into the next wine review please complete all of the steps in the submission process outlined below.
If you have museum stock or back vintages, they would be very keen for you to submit these wines for consideration.
Submission forms: to be submitted via this website no later than Friday 18th June 2021
Wine samples: Send in sample bottles. One bottle of each only.
Wines Varieties Being Reviewed in July 2021
General Requirements
Has Your Wine Been Selected?
Whilst Qantas endeavours to respond to every submission, given the high number of submissions received, this regrettably is not always possible.
If you have not heard back from Qantas by 31st October 2021 please assume that your wine has not been selected in this instance.
Sales Training Expert Yvonne Hilz will be in Margaret River in June offering two options to improve your team’s skills in delivering excellent service and implementing customer centric sales strategies.
Register your interest here.
Option for smaller winery for public workshop to send one person
Workshop $900*
Coaching $500*
Combo $1200*
+gst for all the above.
California Trade & Sommelier Opportunity – 4 spots remain
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Promotion
The MRWA has secured a 90min Virtual Tasting hosted by Cristie Norman, with leading sommeliers and hospitality professionals in Southern California, at 1pm Monday 19th July PST (4am Tuesday 20th July AWST).
Cristie Norman is a Wine Educator and Sommelier, certified through the Court of Master Sommeliers and WSET (Level 3). She is also the President of the United Sommeliers Foundation. Christie was also the 2020 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star “Wine Educator of the Year”.
We are looking for 6 wineries, interested in participating in this Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon tasting.
To register your interest, please contact [email protected] by Friday 11 June 2021.
All wines must be available in the USA market (preferably in Southern Californian market) for follow up sales opportunities.
Initial Cost: $950 + GST per winery.
Plus wine (approx 6 bottles)
Note: A 50% rebate has been secured through the WA Wines to the World Program so cost is not $475 + GST
Friday 4 June – Full Day
Wine comes from the vine, and the impact of soil and vineyard floor management is critical in how ensuring each vineyard reaches its optimal production potential both now and into the future.
The impact of environmental, social, and financial change on the Wine industry is making the process of growing wine more challenging by the year. The program for “Growing Wine from the Ground Up” is formed to highlight some of the challenges we face, such as improving soil organic carbon, effective weed management and water use.
Due to the uncertain nature of COVID restrictions, we plan to have multiple venues with a mix of streamed and live presentations in strategic regions across Australia to avoid cross border travel, but still provide networking opportunities.
Venue: Margaret River Visitor Centre Meeting Room
Cost (includes catering): ASVO member $133.00 | Non member $190.00
Register here
Program
Session 1: Financials Drivers to Change
This Session will focus on what financial levers drives the adoption of management practices. This will be headlined by Charlie Massey, discussing landscape management through regenerative farming. Other topics covered will include the influence of market demands to change production strategies, macro market drivers of agricultural production, and financial incentive programs to increase farm biodiversity.
• Chair, Brooke Howell, Yalumba
• Robert Poole, KPMG
• Charlie Massey OAM, Australian National University
• Richard Norton, CRC – Food futures
• Haylee Pubrick, Tabhilk
Session 2: Vineyard Floor Management
Vineyard floor management is one of the most critical aspects of maintaining good soil function for the production of wine in a changing climate. This session will highlight issues such as the impact of various weed management practices on crop production, the effects of undervine cover crops on mycorrhiza, and a case study on sub soil irrigation. With herbicide access and efficacy becoming reducing in different parts of the world, we also hear about alternative methods of control for different weed situations.
• Chair, Dr Mark Krstic, AWRI
• Mark Krasnow, Thoughtful Viticulture Ltd
• Melissa Brown, Gemtree Wines
• Joseph Marks, University of Adelaide
• Dr Mercy Olmstead, Gallo
Session 3: Additives, management, and plant response
Soil related plant response is often be attributed to additives in the soil. This session focus on some of the management practices and additives used in these situations. The impacts of cover cropping on the carbon cycle, improving moisture retention and yield in warm inland regions with additives, the as well as the uses for bio stimulants and biochar.
• Chair, Roberta De Bei, University of Adelaide
• Professor Tim Cavagnaro, University of Adelaide
• Sam Bowman, Duxton Capital
• Dr Tommaso Frioni, University Cattolica Piacenza
• Justine Cox, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Session 4: What’s next?
This session will begin with a presentation from 2019 Nuffield Scholar Richard Leask on regenerative farming for viticulture and approaching problems from a different perspective. The focus will then shift to a panel discussion, including several earlier speakers who will contemplate solution to existing problems, and how to build a vineyard of the future.
• Chair, Alex Sas, Wine Australia,
• Richard Leask, Leask Agri
Panel
• Chair Andy Clarke
• Melissa Brown, Gemtree Wines
• Dave Gerner, Wine Australia
• Rebecca Richardson, Wine Ingenuity
• Hayley Purbrick, Tabhilk
• Sam Bowman, Duxton Capital
Tuesday 25 May
Understanding your obligations and how it impacts accessing government training incentives.
CCIWA and Apprenticeship Support Australia collaborate to present the recently passed changes to the casual worker legislation.
Director of Business Law, Ryan Martin, will go through the changes and the obligations employers now need to understand when employing casual workers including rights around conversion to permanent employment after certain periods of time.
This will be followed up by training incentives expert, Louisa Lidington, who will explore how adhering to these new requirements may just make it easier for you to access a range of apprenticeship and traineeship incentives for new and existing workers.
Find out more and register here.
Tuesday 25 May, Tuesday 15 June & Tuesday 20 July
A series of three workshops at Tourism Western Australia and via Zoom
These workshops are designed to provide local government Economic Development Officers with an understanding of tourism opportunities, link them with key contacts and share case studies. Small businesses, visitor centres and anyone wanting an understanding of how WA’s tourism industry works will also gain valuable knowledge and connections from these workshops. Attendees are encouraged to attend all three sessions.
Workshop 1: Tourism overview – 25 May 2021
2-4pm, plus networking at Rooftop Bar, DoubleTree By Hilton Perth Waterfront
Workshop 2: Developing tourism in your region – 15 June 2021
2-4pm, plus Matagarup Bridge Climb
Workshop 3: Making tourism easy – 20 July 2021
2-4pm, plus Aboriginal cultural tourism experience
Find out more and register here.
Thursday 27 May 2021
8.30am – 1.30pm
Margaret River HEART
47 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River
Grapevine viruses pose a significant risk to the productivity, quality and sustainability of Australian vineyards. This symposium provides grapegrowers and winemakers with the latest information on grapevine viruses presented by expert speakers from NZ, Vic, SA and WA. The event is being simulcast to both Margaret River and Coonawarra with speakers presenting in-person and virtually.
The program aims to deliver:
– improved understanding of virus biology and transmission vectors
– insights into the virus status in NZ, Limestone Coast and Western Australia
– new technologies and methodologies for detecting viruses
– practical advice on management strategies
This free event is a collaboration between Wines of WA and Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council Inc. funded via the Wine Australia Regional Program.
View program here.
RSVP: by 21 May to [email protected] plus any dietary requirements
Following a consultation process which commenced in 2017 (P1044 – Plain English Allergen Labelling), Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) have put forward a proposal which was adopted by the Australian Government to amend allergen labelling requirements in the Australia and New Zealand Food Standard Code (FSC). The focus of these amendments was to ensure the provision of allergenic labelling which is clearly understood by consumers.
On 25 February 2021, the FSC was amended to introduce new requirements for the labelling of allergens in food. These amendments include impactions for wine under (S9-3) Mandatory Declarations of the FSC.
Key changes include mandatory requirements for allergen labelling to use terms understood by a consumer. These include for example using terms such as “milk (instead of Casein), egg or sulphites (instead of Preservative 220).
Businesses have 3 years from 25 February 2021 to implement the new requirements under the FSC. We encourage the wine sector to review the amendments made under P1044 to ensure compliance with the FSC is maintained.
Recent changes to Wine Australia’s Wine Export Grant program mean that it’s easier for small- and medium-sized Australian wine producers to apply for up to 50 per cent reimbursement of specific export promotion expenses, in any international market.
Key changes include:
View the eligibility criteria or register for the Wine Export Grants program here.
Thursday 13 May
Wild rabbits, foxes, feral pigs and other vertebrate pests cost the Australian agricultural industry about $800 million per year and this is climbing. Beyond the economic cost there is also a significant threat to our biosecurity, biodiversity, environment and community wellbeing.
Pest animals are a complex challenge, requiring proactive and strategic action by a wide range of stakeholders to achieve net benefits for the economy, the environment and the community.
To be effective, pest animal prevention and management needs to be a shared responsibility, with all stakeholders adopting a coordinated and collaborative approach. However, contributing factors such as the biology and behaviour of pest animals, the availability of control techniques and the cost:benefit ratio of management actions increases the complexity of pest management.
In the May Talkin’ After Hours, presenter Dr. Peter Adams from DPIRD will drill down and cover the application and key considerations of current best practice control strategies available for a range of vertebrate pest animals in WA. If you want to know more about how to manage feral pests on your property then don’t miss this key webinar.
Find out more and register here.
All wineries should have received an invitation from Wine Australia to complete the National Vintage survey.
Don’t miss your chance to participate in Wine Australia’s largest annual survey and help present a diverse and accurate range of vintage experiences from around Australia.
This supply and demand information is used by wine businesses to plan for the coming year, and by national, state and regional associations to lobby governments on your behalf, to plan strategies for promoting and protecting regions, and to allocate resources where they are most needed.
No matter the size of your crush, your contribution is very important to ensure the accuracy of the reported information at a regional level.
Be assured that your data is kept strictly confidential by Wine Australia and only aggregate, anonymous data is presented in the report.
If you crushed any grapes in 2021, and you have not received a survey from Wine Australia, please contact Sandy Hathaway at [email protected].
Participants will receive a copy of the report emailed directly to them prior to its public release. Last year’s report is available here.
5 August Fancy Dress Final
Winter Wine Options is a fun and informative identification guessing game that takes you on a journey around the world of wine.
Have a taste and guess the answers to questions such as this:
Held over three nights this winter; play one or play them all to win the Perpetual Barrel Head Trophy.
Friday 5 August: The River Hotel – hosted by Karen & Rob Gough (fancy dress with prizes for best dressed)
6pm for 6:30pm sharp start. BYO nibbles.
Supper served after the results have been announced. Please consider your skipper for the evening.
Get your team of four together; think up a great name and be in it to win not only prizes but eternal fame and glory.
Table bookings for 4 people: $200 .
Ticket includes tastings of 9 wines and supper.
Strictly no BYO alcohol – beer, wine and soft drinks available for purchase.
14th to 23rd July 2023
Put a hold on hibernation this winter with more than 40 unique events throughout the Margaret River Region in, designed to help you break the boredom.
All your festival favourites with plenty of fire, wine, food and fine tunes planned for your winter down south.
Follow on Instagram or Facebook for updates.
Program and tickets at cabinfeverfest.com.au
Monday 3 – Thursday 6 June, South Australia
This hands-on, intensive four-day course will present the latest techniques and technologies in winemaking and wine production. Over four days, participants will travel in a small group across various South Australian wine regions to visit sites and meet wine, food and industry specialists who are at the cutting-edge of Australian wine production.
The course is aimed at winery owners, winemakers, production managers and engineers with an interest in innovation and technology within and outside the wine sector. Participation is limited to a maximum of 20 attendees to ensure an intensive and interactive learning experience.
Program content includes:
Course fees: $4,290 per person, including GST
Course fee includes all expenses for the course duration including three nights’ accommodation, meals, transport and course materials.
Thursday 27 May 2021 – SOLD OUT
1pm till 6pm
Address: Tanah Mahar function Centre, 277 Tanah Mahar Road, Bramley, Margaret River.
Community Fire workshop
The workshop will include guest speakers, Wadandi Elder Dr Wayne Webb and Wadandi Cultural Custodian Iszaac Webb with the Wadandi Traditional Fire practises knowledge, Dr Joe Dortch on the Cultural and science backings of correct burning practises on Wadandi country, Gary McMahon from Ecosystem Solutions about his experience with bushfires and FMPlans, Suzzanne Strapp from Fawna about the after math from Bushfires, with the opportunity to burn on the site location of the workshop.
This is an Opportunity for everyone to work in Collaboration to burn country proper way proper time.
The more buffer zones we get people to create, the better.
4- 5 June
WA Forest Alliance, Margaret River Regional Environment Centre and Denmark Environment Centre are working together to host and sponsor a Fire & Biodiversity Forum for one full day at Margaret River HEART on Friday 4 June, with additional workshop and field trip options on offer for Saturday 5 June.
Broadscale prescribed burning is used extensively as a fire mitigation tool in the SouthWest of WA.
In this forum we will examine its effectiveness and the ways it interacts with the natural landscape, including its impact on all living things.
Our objective is to further develop an informed and nuanced conversation around fire mitigation, responses to fire, biodiversity, people and places, in the face of a changing climate.
7 July 2021
Wine consumption across the Asian continent represents around a fifth of Australia’s export volume. As a group, Southeast Asian markets are high-value destinations for Australian wine. In 2020, 68% of the value exported to Southeast Asia was shipped at an average value above $10 per litre.
The Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre, in partnership with Wine Australia and the Austrade Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia offices, are hosting a Wine Trade Readiness Webinar.
Hear from in-market representatives and experts. You will receive the latest updates on the business landscape in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, and gain insight into how Australian wine businesses can navigate through the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and capitalise on opportunities created by the strategic partnership between Australia and ASEAN.
The webinar takes place on 7 July 2021 from 11 am to 12.30 pm AWST. Registrations close on 6 July 2021 at 3 pm AWST.
About the Program:
The Start-Up Network will feature interactive online webinars and networking events, focused on the adoption of agrifood innovations and connecting key players across the agrifood supply chain.
Participant Entitlements:
Up to 10 successful participants will receive mentorship from industry experts, attend face-to-face workshops, a showcase pitch event and networking dinner in the heart of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga, NSW, the home of AgriFutures Australia and includes:
Successful applicants must demonstrate all of the following to be eligible:
Applications are now open and close 5.00pm (AEST) Monday, 17 May. More information here.
South Regional TAFE Margaret River Campus
South Regional TAFE provides high-quality vocational training, apprenticeships, traineeships and short courses that can lead to an exciting career. You can study full-time, part-time or online. Their training delivery is flexible to suit your needs.
The Short Course flyer includes the new Skill Set courses which are Fee Free for concession holders.
SR TAFE Short Courses Flyer updated 20/4/22
Includes:
AusChem WA Training – 2-day course
0830-1630 Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 May 2022 FULL
0830-1630 Wednesdays 8 & 15 June 2022 – (2 Wednesdays)
0830-1630 Wednesday 7 & Thursday 8 September 2022
ReAccred – AusChem – 1 day course
0900-1600 Wednesday 26 October 2022
The City is reviewing its Bushfire Notice and is seeking feedback from the community on potential changes before making any final decisions. It is envisaged that should any changes be made to the notice, they would be in place prior to the 2021/22 summer season.
Key factors that have led to the review include:
In general, the potential changes would increase the requirements placed on landowners to manage bushfire risk on their properties, including through increased requirements to remove or trim/cut vegetation near houses and access ways.
You can read more about the proposed controls in each category via the document library on Your Say Busselton
Please click here to complete the survey.
Submissions close 31 May 2021
17 or 18 August 2021 – 9.00am – 1.00pm
Margaret River Education Campus, 272 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River
Two biosecurity workshops will be delivered in Margaret River by Wine Australia’s Craig Elliott in August.
These half day workshops are designed to improve knowledge of biosecurity principles and actions including a hands on guide on how to prepare a property biosecurity plan specific to the business of those attending.
Workshops numbers will be restricted to allow Craig to work with each participant on their own unique requirements so please be quick to secure a place at one of the workshops.
Funded via the Wine Australia Regional Program and supported by WoWA, this a unique opportunity for producers and cellar door operators to access one-on-one expert training and tools including property signage to mitigate biosecurity risks.
To attend a workshop please register to Yu-Yi Liao at [email protected] with the nominated day.
Attendees are asked to bring an aerial image or map of their properties.
These workshops are provided free of charge.
Vineyard Managers, Cellar Door Managers & Vignerons should attend!
Are you missing the full power of the Direct-to-Consumer opportunity?
DTC Expert Georgia Rasmussen will be in Margaret River offering two options to improve your Direct-to-Consumer sales via either a:
Regional Workshop* – 8.30-1pm Tuesday 1st + Wednesday 2nd June, plus DTC Tool Kit (RRP $349) for $950
Private Session – 2.5 hour highly personalised on-site mentoring session, targeted to key topics of interest, plus DTC Tool Kit offered on Monday 31st May & Thursday 3rd June for $725
“Georgia Rasmussen over-delivered with the DtC Tool Kit. The tools she provided have helped me with forecasting club sign ups/mailing list and sales. She offers very practical and easy to follow checklists that I use on a daily basis. Easy to work with and professional- she is highly recommended!” – Paris Hokin, Arlewood and 2020 Margaret River Wine Tourism Excellence Winner
Georgia is happy to chat further about the level and detail in the program, if you are unsure if either of these programs would suit your business. Please let Pip know if you would like to arrange a call from Georgia to discuss the program content further.
To register your interest please complete this form.
*minimum 5 wineries required
8th, 15th & 22nd June
Scheduled for 11am AEST for three consective Tuesdays in June, the Improving Wine Business Profitability Webinar Series 2021 will help you optimise your entire value chain so as to become more profitable.
Workshop One – Building Competitive Advantage – June 8th
• The best opportunities for your business right now.
• Positioning your business to take advantage.
• Developing world beating strategy using value innovation.
Workshop Two – Making Money in the Wine Business – June 15th
• The levers of profit and cashflow in the wine business.
• Managing price in order to maximise profit.
• Optimising the whole value chain
• Export and distributor management.
Workshop Three – Preparing to Win – June 22nd
• Leveraging latest technology
• Improving Customer and Staff Engagement
• Getting it all done.
$495.00
Workshops will be run as 90 Minute Webinars starting 11 am Australia Eastern Standard time.
All participants will have the opportunity to submit and have their individual questions answered.
For more information contact [email protected]
Tuesday 27 April 2:30pm – 4:00pm AWST
FOMENT is an annual program of activities designed to accelerate the growth of innovative viti, wine and tourism companies and speed up the adoption of new technologies by the wine and tourism industry. A joint partnership between Flinders University New Venture Institute, Hydra Consulting and Wine Industry Suppliers Australia, FOMENT is running for the third time in 2021.
To launch FOMENT 2021 they are hosting our annual FOMENT Viti, Wine and Tour Tech Variety Hour on Tuesday April 27th at 4pm ACST. Broadcasting live from Torbreck Wines in the Barossa, the event invites anyone interested in the future of the wine and tourism industries, from the perspective of an incredible line up of speakers.
A WORKSHOP ON WEED ID & CONTROL OPTIONS
Thursday, 22 April 2021 | 3:30 pm 6:30 pm
403 Kudardup Road, Kudardup
We all know what a beautiful & biodiverse hotspot we live in so the topic of weeds is an important one. Weeds can & do displace our native species, altering not only the diversity & interactions of the flora, but also its value for the fauna as a food source and habitat. Weeds are also a major issue for primary producers, with impacts on market access and agricultural production.
Presented by ‘weedspert’ Greg Keighery, this special 2-hour workshop & Q & A will increase your knowledge around local weed problems, & discuss best practice weed control options for dealing with them. To make the workshop really relevant for you please bring along any plant samples you want identified or are interested in finding out more about.
Find out more and register here.
Gourmet Traveller WINE 2021 Australia’s Best Cellar Doors have been announced.
Be sure to add these six Margaret River wineries to the list for your next visit!
Check out the full list at Gourmet Traveller WINE or plan your wine trail here.
Postponed due to Covid restrictions – rescheduled date is to be confirmed.
As a wine producer, wine grape grower and transporter of grapes and bottled wine, you are required to comply with the Chain of Responsibility requirements.
This includes ensuring that goods are not overloaded and that they are secured properly.
For heavy vehicle transport within Western Australia, these requirements are subject to Western Australian laws, whereas any heavy vehicles from Western Australia crossing into the other States are subject to the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
To ensure a consistent approach to Chain of Responsibility across wine growing regions of Australia, a new Registered Industry Code of Practice is being developed by the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) in partnership with Australian Grape & Wine (AGW).
As part of the national wine industry roadshow, two stakeholder engagement meetings will be held in Western Australia.
What is the purpose of the Roadshow?
The purpose is to provide an opportunity for the wine industry to provide industry input, discuss key issues and practical solutions in relation to Chain of Responsibility compliance to ensure any Code of Practice reflects industry needs and requirements.
Who should attend?
The meeting is aimed at wine producers, grape growers, vineyard contractors and transporters.
Perth
Date: TBC
Location: Swan River Hotel, 1 Epsom Avenue, Ascot
Busselton
Date: TBC
Location: Shelter Brewing, 11 Foreshore Parade, Busselton
Cost
There is no cost to attend the meeting.
The project is funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Federal Government.
Register
To register click here.
For more information on the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi
13 April @ 11am – 12.30 pm AWST
Wine Communicators of Australia Webinar: Driving Sustainability in Drinks Packaging Design.
Join Rowena Curlewis, CEO and co-founder of Denomination to better understand sustainability and how you can make improvements to your wine brand designs.
Find out more and register here.
Friday 7 May 2021
Vasse Felix
Vasse Felix are thrilled to announce Friday 7 May as the date for this year’s Margaret River Region Cabernet Tasting! This year we’ll be looking at Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2020 vintage.
All producers of Cabernet Sauvignon are invited to submit vineyard samples and participate in the blind tasting, which at the 2019 tasting included examples of Cabernet from more than 85 sites across the Margaret River GI Region.
How to get involved?
If you have one or more unblended, representative vineyard samples from within the Margaret River GI Region (2020 vintage) you are encouraged to get involved. You are welcome to submit as many samples as you wish, with each sample to be supplied in 4 x 750ml bottles. All samples we receive will be available to taste.
Please note, this will be a blind tasting, with technical and geographical data displayed for each sample. The Vasse Felix team will coordinate the samples, host the event and provide some drinks and light snacks upon completion. All participants are invited to bring a colleague to the tasting.
Online Registrations & Information
To register your participation please complete the online registration form – click here.
For more information please contact Chloe Jones on 08 9756 5035 or email [email protected]
Monday 2 October 1pm to 4.30pm
The Lower South West Growers Group is holding an Agricultural Forum to inform the community of recent and proposed changes in legislation that is likely to affect the local agricultural industries.
The relevant Government Ministers & Opposition Ministers (or a Minister nominated representative) have been invited to speak and take part in Q & A.
Learn more and register here.
Tuesday 10 October, 10am to 11am(AWST)
This webinar will be presented by Rachel Triggs, Head of ESG and Market Access – Wine Australia. During the presentation Rachel will explain how the global operating environment is impacting expectations relating to environmental, social and governance management by Australian grape and wine businesses, and how Wine Australia is responding to support the sector.
REGISTER NOW here. This webinar is free to ALL to attend.
City Wine, Perth’s Winter Wine Festival is back on 21 & 22 May 2021 at its new home of Russell Park, Northbridge and is shaping to be very similar to the successful UnWined Subiaco 2020. Ticket sales are the best they have ever been for City Wine.
With capacity restrictions at the moment, the event will expect 3,000 visitors over the weekend. City Wine is a great opportunity to sell wine during those cooler months. The event will have cover and heaters to keep visitor’s cosy.
New Dates – 21 & 22 May 2021 for better weather
New Location – Russell Park, Northbridge for a better format and feel (same location as Fringe’s Pleasure Garden)
New Session Times – Shorter times to encourage more sales
New Feature Area – VIP Park Lounge
As a wine exhibitor, you can provide complimentary wine tasting, glass sales for onsite consumption, bottle sales for take away and case sales for delivery after the event. It’s also a good opportunity to build your database onsite.
City Wine Presentation 2021
City Wine 2021 Layout
If you have any questions or to book a stand please contact Paige Stirton at [email protected].
Event Overview:
Fine Vines Festival will once again showcase the region’s wine producers through an incredible collection of fine wine experiences for both the wine connoisseur and the aspirational drinker, attracting both locals and visitors throughout the 10-day event period from 20-29 October 2023.
Want to be a part of the program? Have a read through the event information in the Selection Criteria and then tell us about your event concept by following the link below.
FINE VINES FESTIVAL SELECTION CRITERIA & EOI
Expressions of Interest:
Expressions of interest officially close on Monday, May 10. Please get in touch with us before this date to discuss how you may wish to be involved.
Stuck for Ideas?
Contact the AHOY Management team at [email protected]
finevinesfestival.com.au
FB: @FineVinesFestival
IG: @finevinesfest
WINE TOURISM BIOSECURITY BACKGROUND
Vineyards near cellar doors are exposed to biosecurity risks through heightened tourist visitation and movement.
Research shows that 44% of female visitors and 28% of male visitors to wine regions expect to be able to take photos amongst the vines as part of their wine tourism experience.
Anecdotally, Chinese visitors are more likely to walk into vineyards than tourists from other countries.
Phylloxera is being detected in more vineyards in Victoria. And Australia has experienced a doubling in the number of exotic plant pest incursions in the past seven years.
There are more pathways than ever before for exotic pests to enter vineyards. Tourist movement is one of those pathways.
The Cellar Door signage has been designed for consumer-facing purposes such as cellar doors and cycling/walking tracks. The signs include English and Mandarin messages that aim to build a partnership with visitors around vine health and protection.
Suggested Sign Locations
Many cellar doors were designed without biosecurity front of mind. For example, designated cellar door car or bus parking is often situated at the ends of vine rows with no barriers in between.
Ideally, your Wine Tourism Biosecurity Signs will be placed between your car parking area and your vines, to prevent entry into your vine rows (see mock-up below). You may need several signs located at positions where visitors usually wander into your vines.
Sign placement will depend on the position of your car park and relative proximity to vines adjacent to your cellar door.
Material: Gloss UV laminate on 3mm Aluminium Composite
Size: 813mm x 1120mm portrait
Price: $115 + gst
Add your logo for $50 +gst
Collection: MRWA Office, Margaret River Visitor Centre, 100 Bussell Highway, Margaret River
To order please complete this form and email to [email protected]
Please note a minimum number of orders are required before production can commence. We will let you know when we have sufficient numbers to proceed.
The farm-gate biosecurity signs have been designed to encourage all personnel entering non-consumer facing vineyard entrances to contact the manager before entering. Pests, diseases and weeds harmful to grapevines can be picked up and spread via tyres, equipment, machinery, shoes and clothing. The Mandarin text reads: ‘Without permission, you may not enter’.
Material: Gloss UV laminate
Size: 600mm x 450mm landscape
Price: $40.00 + gst
Collection: MRWA Office, Margaret River Visitor Centre, 100 Bussell Highway, Margaret River
To order please complete this form and email to [email protected]
Tuesday 24 October 2023
Join agroecologist Dr Mary Retallack, Regional On-ground Coordinators (ROCs) and a range of special guests to learn about the National EcoVineyards Program and how ground cover plants are being used by grape growers to benefit their vineyards and improve soil health.
Wine grape growers from neighbouring regions are welcome to attend.
Learn more and book here. Bookings are essential.
Monday 27 and Thursday 30 November 2023
Note: You must attend both days to receive certification
Time: 10.30am to 2.30pm via Zoom
Register here!
For enquiries please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Tuesday 18 June, 11am – 12pm AWST
“Consumption occasions are… fundamentally important in liquor when understanding why our customers choose a category, brand and ultimately a product to purchase and consume” – National retailer, 2023
This webinar will be presented by Andrew Nowicki, Co-Founder & Commercial Director, Growth Scope. In the hour long presentation Andrew will:
9am AWST 7 December 2023
In the first part of this webinar, Alex Sas will outline Wine Australia’s ongoing and planned initiatives for managing treated timber vineyard posts, focusing on CCA posts’ end-of-life management. Following this, Mark Gishen will delve into the findings of the ‘Building Back Better and More Sustainable Vineyards’ project, which explored safer alternatives to CCA posts in vineyards and offered crucial insights for vineyard operators. This collaborative project, cantered on experiences in the Adelaide Hills, assessed local alternatives to aid vineyards nationwide in making informed choices regarding post-reconstruction and waste handling. The webinar will conclude with a presentation from Uma Preston who will discuss Netafim’s drip line recycling service available to customers in Australia and New Zealand, showcasing a circular economy approach to address plastic accumulation in landscapes. This initiative’s commitment to product stewardship is fuelling the demand for more advanced drip line recycling practices in Australia.
My Ultimate Pairing is a concept designed to deliver concise information on a wine’s drinkability to general public wine consumers who DON’T think in terms of flavour notes, tannins and palate expression.
View pilot here.
The 59-second format engages a winemaker / cellar door manager / chef / winery owner in discussion with concept creator Sarina Kamini on why the chosen wine is delicious and/or representative of the winery experience, and how to match it.
The format is deliberately simple. We want viewers to find an uncomplicated portal of engagement: “I like that food. I like Cabernet. This video made it easy for me to imagine how yummy it would be to drink that wine. I’m going to buy it.”
The concept seeks to help wineries individualise their offering, to their market, in a region bustling with exceptional wineries.
The video will run on the winery’s socials, the MRWA socials, and Sarina’s socials simultaneously.
The series is aimed predominantly at – but not restricted to – smaller-scale wineries who may not have the content creation budget, but who still want to talk to consumers in video format.
TIME REQUIREMENT
45-minutes filming with Sarina Kamini.
TECHNICAL FORMAT
The 59-second video will be presented as 1080 to fit Instagram and Facebook.
STYLE FORMAT
Titles of wine, and chosen winery representative. Finishing with the MRWA logo. The format will stick roughly to that of the pilot, though edit style, music and location will shift in order to represent the character of the winery and winemaker.
COST
$300. Includes the 59-second video and a secondary, smaller video edit (15 to 30 seconds) of bloopers or a quiet moment that doesn’t fit the main narrative.
GET INVOLVED
Send your expression of interest to Sarina at [email protected]
26/3/2021
Please be advised that the City of Busselton is intending to commence its autumn 2021 planned burn program from Tuesday 6 April 2021. This map outlines the burns to completed in the City’s western program this autumn.
In addition to this, the City of Busselton is currently in the restricted burning period. Permits to burn are starting to be issued to private land holders for their burning requirements and the use of camping or cooking fires is currently allowed without having to obtain a permit. Burns where a permit has been issued will be visible on the Emergency WA page.
The South West of WA has been chosen as one of only six regions to take part in a $23.5 million Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot, encouraging farmers to carry out mixed-species tree planting projects for both climate and ecosystem benefits.
The Pilot is for biodiverse plantings between 5 and 200 hectares and is being developed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Australian National University.
In recognition of consumer demand for sustainable product, the Pilot will also include an associated certification scheme. The project compliments much work already being done in Natural Capital Accounting, that seeks to quantify the productivity benefits to landholders from increased biodiversity on farm.
Read the project FAQ’s
Interested? The South West Catchments Council (SWCC) are calling for expressions of interest from farmers with between 5 and 200 hectares available for planting.
Contact SWCC on 08 9724 2400 or email [email protected].
Wednesday 13 November 2024
THE EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY. WHAT’S NEXT?
Renowned UK wine writer Will Lyons will headline the second Chardonnay Symposium Australia 2024, being held at Stones of the Yarra Valley on Wednesday 13 November 2024.
In 2019, Wine Yarra Valley hosted the first Chardonnay Symposium Australia and over 180 attendees from Australian industry and media came together to listen to a stellar list of speakers on all things growing, making, and selling Chardonnay.
In 2024, we will investigate what has changed for Chardonnay since then and engage in a conversation about ‘What’s Next?’ for Australian Chardonnay. The program features informative and engaging presentations from industry, trade and media such as Richard Hemming MW, Jamie Goode, and Michael Brajkovich.
Tickets are on sale now. Early bird pricing until 8th April – Symposium + Dinner, $650+GST, Symposium only, $500+GST, or Dinner only, $200+GST
For more information and tickets visit – Chardonnay Symposium Australia
Last night we launched a new campaign video to a mix of winery, vineyard, cellar door, owners and wider community at a sundowner at Cape Mentelle vineyards.
To view, click here.
The campaign is the creative work of local trio Mark Boskell (Director), Darren McCagh – Farmhouse Films (Director of Photography and Editor), and Sophie Mathewson (Producer). The local team outsourced a sophisticated sound design from Envelope Audio.
The outcome is a film that feels cinematic and premium in execution and highlights the distinctly unique coastal positioning of the wine region. The punctuating sound design supplements the visuals and supports the overarching narrative that Margaret River wine country is quite simply, breathtaking.
Thanks also to Wine Australia, Wines of Western Australia, Shire of Augusta Margaret River and City of Busselton for funding support.
Find out if you need to pay fringe benefits tax (FBT).
Providing a work car to your employees can be a great incentive.
If you provide a car to an employee for their private use, you may need to pay fringe benefits tax (FBT).
You make a car available for private use by an employee on any day that the car is either:
A car is considered available for your employee’s private use when it is:
For FBT purposes, a ‘car’ includes:
If you’re not sure if you’re providing a car fringe benefit, our virtual introductory sessions can help. You can register by selecting a date and time that suits you.
Next steps:
Find out about:
Many cellar doors and wineries already offer a discount to locals (usually 10% to 15%) but this is not widely known.
This Margaret River Wine campaign is aimed at locals, especially to sustain the upcoming quiet winter months.
Starting from 19th April (post school holidays) and will be supported by Social Media & Local Print Advertising.
Artwork Concepts: Click here.
Cost to participate: Free for MRWA members
For more information: Contact Pip Heaford
31/3/2021
DBCA today confirms that:
Pending suitable weather conditions the DBCA Autumn program will be imminent by mid- April, it is also likely that some burning may occur out in the East of the District over the coming weeks, potentially prior to he 15th April. Again the same management frameworks and considerations would be applied.
22/3/2021
Parks and Wildlife is currently reviewing BWD_070 Leeuwin, 3km west of Augusta.
Confirmation of the burn proceeding will be available through the DBCA web page.
18/3/2021
The Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) will be reviewing a number of prescribed burns in the coming days and weeks as weather conditions permit.
These burns are most likely to be considered in the very near future (see maps).
BWD_004 Beaton – 160ha in the western Cell (10km south east of Nannup)
BWD_120 Kearney – numerous small cells along Vasse Highway (10km south east of Nannup)
BWD_070 Leeuwin – 217ha (4 km west of Augusta)
As per previous years the forecast conditions and proximity of vineyards will be considered in line with DBCA procedures to minimise any potential impacts.
It is most likely that we will require another rain event before the broader landscape Autumn burn program will commence; however the burns listed have unique requirements for consideration early this year.
It is important that growers and winemakers inform MRWA of approximate final pick dates and locations by vineyard so we can share accurate up-to-date information with DBCA. Please download this form (Excel spreadsheet) to complete and email it to Pip.
The US Market Entry Program provides in-market support to wineries interested in entering or re-entering the US market. It also provides in depth brand strategy support to wineries ready to move commercially in the market. Wine Australia offers guidance and marketing support in communications, import logistics and trade outreach, to assist entry-to-market and brand exposure needs. Collaboration with importer brokers, media outlets and key trade and media contacts will be a central focus of the Market Entry Program in FY’22.
Note applications opened 22 March 2021 and Wine Australia has a preferred sign-up date of 23 April 2021.
Additional funding support and a market preparedness training program is offered through WA WINES TO THE WORLD for a maximum of 10 program participants. Assuming producers are also eligible for Wine Australia’s Wine Export Grants, this could mean producers pay as little as 25% of the $12,500 participation fee.
We welcome all program participants’ feedback. If you have any questions at all re the above please contact us.
Most research and recommendations concerning wine packaging focus on a single brand or sub-brand. However, most wineries produce many variants, some at the same price point made from different varieties or blends, and some at lower or higher price points but still carrying the same brand name.
In this webinar hear more about the benefits of linking wines with the same brand name together through their packaging, based on years of research at the Ehrenberg Bass Institute for Marketing Science.
Professor Larry Lockshin will present some very recent research measuring the consistency of packaging across a number of Australian wine brands from small, medium and large wineries. The research highlights which aspects or attributes of wine packaging are most commonly used across brands in the same portfolio and which have the greatest effect on perceived consistency across the portfolio.
By attending this webinar you will gain knowledge of how to build mental availability across a portfolio of brands. Leveraging consistency across sub-brands will increase the possibility that a consumer buying one brand will recognise and choose other brands in the portfolio.
Presenter: Professor Larry Lockshin – Professor of Wine Marketing, Ehrenberg Bass Institute for Marketing Science, University of South Australia
This webinar is free to ALL WCA Members. To register, CLICK HERE
Non-Members will be charged $50 + GST to access the webinar. To pay and register, CLICK HERE