Friday 15 September, 10am to 6pm
The Regional Innovation Summit will explore innovations for sustainable industries in regional Australia by driving discussion on critical focus topics and creating opportunities for collaboration through keynote speeches from industry experts, panel conversations and networking opportunities.
This is Rob Currell, he’s been working at the Cellar Door at Juniper Estate since February 2017.
Rob was working in Leonora at a gold mine during the late 90s. When the price of gold dropped and the mine closed, Rob picked up a job behind the bar at the Margaret River Hotel. After working in a few bars, including Wino’s, now Swings Tap House, his passion for wine landed him a job at Juniper.
Rob’s favourite varietal is Riesling, and he would love to one day visit Germany, especially Mosel, for the fantastic Riesling.
A lover of nature and the coast, Rob is partial to fresh-shucked oysters (Coffin Bay, Streaky Bay or Tassie) and (you guessed it) a glass of Riesling.
We caught up with Rob and asked him a few questions about working in the Margaret River Wine Region.
What’s your favourite varietal and why?
It’s a tough call, but I would have to go with Riesling. I love the way it shines in its youth, and the aromatics and texture it develops over time. It is so representative of it’s time and place, and reflection of the winemaker that I think it is truly a wine that can offer something to everyone. It was also my first serious love when I started drinking wine (Thank you Pikes).
What’s your top tip for visitors to the region?
Take your time. There is so much to see and do that if you try to cram in to much in too short a time you’ll only end up missing out. Remember, WA stands for ‘Wait Awhile’.
Where is a hidden Gem in the region to visit?
Are there any hidden gems left in Margaret River?! I’ve always loved nature and exploring. Check out the rock pools along the coast around Yallingup and maybe spot an Occy (watch out for the pretty ones with blue rings). Discover Deadly – A fantastic reptile park in Carbanup and the Boranup Karri Forest.
What makes our region so special?
For me, it’s the diversity of people it attracts. In my role in the cellar door I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to all kinds of people from all over the world, from farmers to astronomers, and everyone has a story to tell.
Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 September
A down to earth conference engaging in the most promising agricultural solutions to regenerate soils, draw down carbon, rehydrate landscapes, and restore on-farm biodiversity, helping build farm and community resilience.
Across the two days highly regarded national and international speakers will be exploring:The win-win of regenerative agriculture.
Field trips following the conference will visit local examples of regenerative agriculture in practice, and in-depth training of some key concepts is available over full-day workshops prior to the conference.
Learn more and register here.
We’ve been busy organising activities, finessing events and finalising details for the arrival of nine IWSC Judges in Margaret River Wine Region early next week.
Margaret River wineries have submitted their selection of red, white, sparkling and rosé wines for the IWSC Judging committee.
We are very excited to host the Judges in the Margaret River Region. This year, the IWSC judges have judged in-situ programs with South Africa, Argentina, Turkey, Austria and Georgia. Margaret River is the only wine region in the world where the in situ judging will focus solely on a region rather than an entire nation.
But it’s not all about wine.
Over the six-day stay in the region, the judges will visit some of our most breathtaking locations, including places of cultural significance for the Wadandi People.
It’s a unique opportunity for the judges to encounter the region and gain an appreciation of what makes it so special.
While here, the Judges will participate in Masterclasses and tastings in situ at the wineries, where the winemakers will take them on a deep dive of Margaret River’s key varieties, organic wines and sparkling.
They will also have a chance to discover the quality produce and meet the chefs at our finest venues, including Ben Jacob of Lagoon Yallingup, Aaron Carr of Yarri Restaurant and Bar, and Ben Day of Cullen Wines.
Judging will take place over three days at Clairault Streicker, with results announced on the final day of judging at a sundowner hosted by Vasse Felix.
Established in 1969, the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) is renowned for assessing wines and spirits.
The distinguished organisation comprises expert judges and enthusiasts who conduct blind tastings to evaluate global submissions. In addition, they organise events, workshops, and educational activities to spread the love for wines and spirits and foster understanding of these beverages.
Its core objective is recognising exceptional quality and authenticity in the industry. Winning an IWSC medal holds significant prestige, boosting the reputation of wine and spirit producers.
The IWSC plays an essential role in maintaining and elevating industry standards in the world of wines and spirits.
Alistair Cooper MW is an independent British wine writer, judge, consultant and educator with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He writes for JancisRobinson.com and regularly contributes to several publications, including Club Oenologique and Decanter. Alistair is also the global consultant wine buyer for the Sydney-based Australian company United Cellars, Australia’s largest independent wine merchant.
Freddy Bulmer is a veteran IWSC judge and wine buyer for The Wine Society, the world’s oldest wine club, where he’s responsible for The Wine Society’s portfolio of wines. He also contributes a monthly column to OllySmith.com and judges in numerous wine competitions. Freddy strongly believes that wine should, first and foremost, be about having fun.
Melania Battiston traded a career in marketing for one in wine, swapping university for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and Court of Master Sommelier (MS) exams. She’s now sizing up what it takes to become an MS. After working as Head sommelier/wine buyer at Medlar, Melania is now the Junior Food & Beverage manager at Aman Resorts. In 2022, she won the Young Sommelier Competition and was number 3 on Harper’s Top 25 Sommeliers in the UK.
Libby Brodie is the founder of London-based independent wine consultancy Bacchus & Brodie, co-founder of The Wine Collective and City AM’s dedicated wine columnist with her regular “Wine Without The Snobbery” page. Libby is a qualified wine consultant and self-proclaimed “wine translator” with a passion for accessible, entertaining wine communication. She regularly moderates and hosts panels and events, sources and curates wines for private clients, and guest lectures at Universities on Wine Communication.
Beth Pearce MW is the Buying Director for Lay & Wheeler, one of Britain’s longest-standing fine wine merchants. Before that, she spent ten years at Majestic Wine, initially managing stores in the UK’s South West, followed by five years in the buying team at Majestic Wine, sourcing wines, beers and spirits from around the world for their 200 stores. Beth became a Master of Wine in February 2020 and, in September 2021, won the ‘Outstanding Young Person award at the Vintner’s Company.
Chris Crawford is Group General Manager of Beverage at Crown Resorts (Melbourne, Perth & Sydney). Chris is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers (UK and USA) and a past president of Sommeliers Australia. He is also a senior judge at various regional and capital wine shows and the outgoing chair of the Yarra Valley Wine Show and James Halliday Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge.
Randall Pollard is a Roseworthy (Wine Production & Marketing) Graduate. Since 1999, Randall has been an importer and merchant of fine wines for Melbourne-based Heart& Soil Imports and Randall’s Fine Wines. He’s judged in Australian Capital City Shows widely since 1987 and smaller regional shows since the 1990s. Randall regularly visits many European wine producers, tasting and learning each year. He is a regular tutor at the Len Evans Tutorial.
Emma Farrelly is Director of Wine for the State Buildings & Como The Treasury, where she curates unique wine lists and wine events for each of the award-winning restaurants. For over 19 years, Emma’s passion for the wine industry has produced award-winning wine lists across top venues in Perth. For two years, Emma studied under the guidance of Dr Steve Charters, Master of Wine. Since then, Emma has worked as a Sommelier and consulted on various wine lists and menus, earning her recognition through numerous awards.
Erin Larkin is an independent wine writer and communicator based in Perth. In 2012, Erin left her successful fashion career and moved into the Wine business, where she is now a writer, judge, and presenter. She reviews Australian and New Zealand wines for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and contributes to publications, including The Wine Companion magazine and Gourmet Traveller Wine. Erin is also WSET Level 3 qualified and is a Barossa Wine School Specialist educator. In 2022, she was accepted as a scholar in the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial.
Thursday 7 September
7am – 10.30am AWST
Get ready to explore the latest trends, insights, and strategies that shape Wine Australia’s global marketing activities.
Whether you’re an experienced exporter or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to compete on the global wine stage. Our speakers will share their knowledge and expertise, providing valuable insights to help exporters navigate the ever-changing global landscape.
Margaret River participants only.
Date: Monday, 21 August & Wednesday, 23 August 2023
Time: 8:30am – 1:00pm 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.
Greenhouse gas emissions and more – digging about in Sustainable Winegrowing Australia data
Thursday 31 August 2023 | 10am AWST
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is Australia’s national program for grapegrowers and winemakers to demonstrate and continuously improve their sustainability in the vineyard and winery through the environmental, social and economic aspects of their businesses. This webinar will provide an update on membership, changes to the member platform, certification, use of the trust mark, new case studies and other activity of the program over the past year.
Presenters: Dr Mardi Longbottom (AWRI)
A NEW VOICES STORY by Dianne Bortoletto
Italians have left an indelible mark in all corners of the globe, shaping human history and modern culture from arts to science, inventions to architecture and of course, food and wine. In Margaret River, Dianne Bortoletto looks at some Italian influences that add to the region’s story.
Driving into Cherubino Wines, you could pretend you were in Tuscany; the gravel driveway meanders alongside rows of vines toward a two-story Tuscan-looking cellar door, the surrounding garden adorned with large ceramic pots, Cyprus pines and olive trees.
Owner and winemaker Larry Cherubino, a first-generation Italian, explained how his family came to be in Australia, and like many immigrant stories, it’s marred with struggles.
“Grandad immigrated from Calabria in 1939 with the view of setting up a farm in Logue Brook Dam just outside of Harvey (about 90 minutes south of Perth),” Larry said.
“When he left Italy, my grandmother was pregnant with my mum, and the aim was for her to immigrate to Australia as soon as possible. But then the Second World War broke, out and Italy was initially an enemy, and he was rounded up and put in an internment camp.
“It was ten years before my grandmother and mother could come to Australia. My mum was ten years old when she met her father.”
Also born in Calabria, southern Italy, Larry’s father immigrated to Australia in the late 1950s as a 12-year-old boy making the long, arduous boat journey alone to be reunited with an older brother, one of Larry’s uncles, who was already in Perth.
“I’ve still got relatives in Reggio, Calabria. I’m not that close to them these days, but it’s funny when I go back there, there’s lots of familiar-looking people!”
Larry, who has 30 years of experience in the wine industry, has spent a lot of time in Tuscany, where Chianti is his drop of choice, and about five years working in Sicily.
“My Italian heritage is a big part of what we what we do and how we go about it,” the father of three said. My grandad had three acres and every inch of those three acres was planted with tomatoes or something you could eat. Yes, we make wine, but we’re ultimately farmers, we grew up on the land and I really put a heavy emphasis on the way we grow and the way we farm, great wine starts in the vineyard. From a winemaking point of view, what’s most important is that everything we make has to be really sympathetic to food.”
When it comes to food, Cherubino Wines has already carved a name for itself in Perth with a slick city cellar and recently opened a 50-seat restaurant Frui Momento, Latin for ‘enjoy the moment’, next door to their Margaret River cellar door.
In Margaret River, Cherubino Wines has 40 hectares under vine, where the focus is predominately Chardonnay, a varietal the region is renowned for. They also have 60 hectares in Pemberton (about two hours south-east of Margaret River), and 100 hectares in Frankland River in the Great Southern (about three hours east) where they grow Italian varietal Fiano. Cherubino Wines were responsible for bringing the first cuttings of Fiano into Western Australia and now boast the oldest and largest Fiano plantings in the state.
Cherubino Wines produces other Italian varietals, notably Nebbiolo, which Larry describes as getting better with every year, as well as white Arneis that originates from Piemonte.
Of the 25,000 cases produced each year, Cherubino Wines exports close to 30 per cent to Europe, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia.
One of the oldest names in wine in Margaret River is Credaro, a pioneering family who first started making wine for family and friends 100 years ago, an Italian table wine called Fragola.
Cesare Credaro arrived on the SS Omar from Naples into Fremantle, Western Australia in 1921. With his brother Olympio he moved to the northern part of what is now the Margaret River Wine Region, working on the land to cut sleepers by hand for the railways.
Living frugally and saving all they could, the brothers had an opportunity to conditionally purchase 146 acres (59 hectares) for 500 pounds from the Government, on condition that they had to continue to cut sleepers and thus clear the land for farming. Robert Credaro, Cesare’s grandson, still has the broad axe his grandfather used.
“They had saw pits where they’d roll a big log over and there’d be one guy above and one below in the pit sawing by hand, that’s how they did it,” said father-of-five Robert, who is now semi-retired.
Initially potato and sheep farmers, the Credaro family first planted a commercial crop of vines in 1988, supplying grapes to other wineries. In 2003, Credaro Wines built a winery and established their own label soon after.
“We also farm pomegranates, avocados and a new breed of sheep, with 2,000 breeding ewes,” Robert said.
Over the last hundred years, the Credaro empire and family has grown, but the business remains family-run with the fourth generation now at the helm. The eldest of the four sons and Credaro Wines operations manager, Matt Credaro, works alongside his twin brothers Mike and Chris, while brother Jason, a qualified winemaker, has moved into brewing, but is still involved in the family business.
“Being a part of the family business is great and a privilege, I enjoy working with my family and my brothers,” Matt said. “I’m not sure my daughters will follow the family tradition of being out on a tractor, but my nephews love it–there’s a few children in generation number five likely to carry on the family tradition.”
Located on Caves Road, the Credaro cellar door is more than a tasting stop. The white stucco building sits within a garden of beautiful rose bushes and mature trees, and the entrance arbour is covered with purple wisteria. Inside, the walls tell the Credaro story with old family photos, and out on the balcony the breathtaking views of the rolling hills make it a popular wedding venue. There’s also a gorgeous clothes and homewares boutique to wander through.
Credaro Wines has four vineyards in the Margaret River Wine Region, a total of 107 hectares growing predominately Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but also other varietals includingSangiovese and, excitingly, they have grafted cuttings of Italian varietals Montepulciano, Barbera and Nebbiolo which are expected to produce fruit in the next three years. They produce one million bottles each year and continue to make Fragola, which means “strawberry” in Italian, from the original cuttings from those first vines.
“At the moment, we’re exporting ten per cent of our wines to Singapore, United Kingdom and Taiwan,” Matt said. Future plans for Credaro Wines include making Italian styles when the new vines mature, and in time, opening a new cellar door at their Wilyabrup vineyard.
One of Margaret River’s smallest producers, Mr Barval, is heavily influenced by owner and winemaker Robert Gherardi’s Italian heritage along with his experience working in Italy’s famous Barolo wine region.
A second generation and dual citizen Italian, all four of Robert’s grandparents immigrated from a small town and alpine valley wine region called Valtellina, famous for Nebbiolo, about 100 kilometres northeast of Milan near the Swiss border.
In fact, the name Mr Barval is an acronym for Robert’s wine experiences: Mr represents Margaret River, Bar represents Barolo, and Val is for Valtellina.
“My grandparents were ‘off the boat’ [arriving in] in Fremantle, and I grew up in Perth’s southern suburbs. We did the holy trinity of typical Italian experiences: every summer we’d make passata, every autumn we’d make wine and every winter we’d do one or two pigs and make salami and sausages. They were such fun days!” Robert said.
“I studied winemaking in my mid-20s and had the desire to do an overseas vintage and get some different experience. A lot of Australian winemakers go to France because we grow so many French varietals, but for me, I had the urge to experience winemaking, but also to reconnect with family and with a culture that I only knew as an Aussie-Italian.”
Following a vintage in Barolo, Robert was offered full-time work, and moved his wife and two young children to Piedmonte where the family lived for a few years. Those traditional Italian winemaking principles he learnt now inform his approach at Mr Barval.
“We make our wines the same traditional way, they are very natural in that we hand-pick, we wild ferment, we don’t fine, we don’t filter. It’s not this more modern natural winemaking phenomena, it’s not the naturalness that’s important, it’s growing the right grape in the right area and looking after it well and capturing the essence of the season.”
What’s interesting about Mr Barval is that they don’t own vineyards, but rather they rent rows of vines from several different vineyards, working with the landowners and tending to those vines themselves, plucking leaves to allow more sun to hit the fruit or directing vine shoots to grow a certain way.
“Renting rows of vines is par for the course in Europe, but here, no one had heard of that system, so we had some convincing to do,” Robert said.“Working with grapes from great sites, that are established and balanced, allows us to make the unfiltered and unfined wines, but in a really fine wine way because we’re working with a base level of grapes that are perfect. Our focus is on the varietals that do really well here, which is Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, but we do make a small amount of Nebbiolo too.”
Mr Barval’s first harvest was in 2015, when they made just 4,500 bottles across four different wines. This year, their largest production to date saw them produce eight different wines and 20,000 bottles in total. While highly sought-after domestically in Australia, Mr Barval has exported wine to Singapore, Hong Kong and a selection of private buyers in Europe.
There are other small Italian producers and Italian varietals grown in the region. Visithttps://winewa.asn.au/margaret-river/for more information.
Thursday 17 August
This session is for vineyard managers and owners looking to safeguard against damage from fungal diseases. Hear the latest updates from Dr Brandy (Belinda) Rawnsley, Technical Services Lead at Syngenta who will address:
Malcolm Jones will update on spray application and concentration factors.
Thursday 13 July 2023 | 10am AWST
This webinar aims to remind growers of the risk of fungicide resistance and to promote good resistance management practices. A presentation from Barbara Hall will cover the basics of resistance to fungicides and the at-risk fungicide groups. Liz Riley will discuss the practicalities of spraying to control disease and the factors she considers when putting together a spray program. This will be followed by questions from the audience, including some predetermined questions to bring up common mistakes or misconceptions about fungicide resistance.
Presenters: Barbara Hall, Liz Riley (Vitibit Pty Ltd)
Friday 21 July and Friday 4 August
10.30am to 2.30pm AWST
With the average age of Australian vineyards sitting at around 40 years, many growers are faced with decisions about what to do with vineyards that are showing declining yields and quality and ageing infrastructure. This year’s ASVO seminar will provide much needed information on both maintaining established vineyards and setting up for success if the decision is to rework or replant.
Friday 21 July Maintaining Established vineyards
Maintaining the long-term vine health, productivity and economic viability of vineyards.
Comparing vine age performance, vine age & economic viability, old irrigation infrastructure and replacements.
Learn more
Friday 4 August Establishing new vineyards
Establishing data friendly vineyards, irrigation design for better water management, automation,
optimising early vine growth, nutrition and weed control.
Learn more
The 2023 ASVO Viticulture Seminar will be held at regional hubs to allow attendees to network and discuss the topics with their peers or watch online if they cannot attend a regional location.
Attendees can register for one or both sessions. The cost for both sessions is $190, with the discounted rate of $133 available to ASVO members.
Register here for the ASVO 2023 Viticulture Seminar.
Gralyn Estate founder, Graham Hutton passed away peacefully on Sunday 9 July 2023.
Graham was a pioneer of the region and together with his wife Merilyn they established Margaret River’s first Cellar Door in 1978. They named it ‘Gralyn Cellars’ a combination of their first names. Graham was a dairy farmer from Capel and moved to the Wilyabrup property in 1968. The early years were spent clearing the 230ha farm, fencing, planting pasture and rearing beef cattle.
The early 1970’s were particularly tough, with beef prices very low. As a result in 1975, Graham and Merilyn decided to diversify and planted a 4.5-hectare vineyard on their farm. They were self-taught winemakers. Graham’s great sense of practicality made possible the vineyard planting and the building of a winery ‘on the cheap.’ In fact there was no other way – with wax lined concrete tanks, dairy coolers, self-help and improvisation being the order of the day.
Graham split the 1800 vineyard posts and strainers by hand, from jarrah trees on the property. There are fond memories of the camaraderie of the region in those early pioneering days, with friends and fellow vignerons offering assistance.
There will be a funeral service for Graham in Busselton at William Barrett and Sons, Bantry Chapel, next Thursday 20 July at 11am. Friends and family are invited to the Cowaramup District Social Club for drinks and light refreshments after the service.
Monday 24 July, 8.45am to 3.30pm
Blackwood River Farm, 210 Campbell Road, Warner Glen
Workshop and Fieldwalk
Presented by farmer, multispecies seeding specialist & seed producer Grant Sims from Down Under Covers, and award winning soil microbiologist, Emerita Professor Lynette Abbott, this one-day workshop and fieldwalk will explore why & how multispecies work to build farm resilience, productivity & profitability.
You’ll also learn about:
A practical demonstration using tools to monitor plant / soil health
Meet Cara Newton, for the past 8 years Cara has been working at the Hay Shed Hill cellar door.
Cara has lived in the Margaret River Region for over 18 years, first working in winery restaurants and then at Clairault Strieker in the cellar door.
While the Loire Valley, Burgundy, and Italy are on Cara’s bucket list to explore, she is also deeply passionate about the region she lives in, and loves to share her local knowledge with the visitors to her cellar door.
She’s partial to a glass of Chardonnay and loves the pairing of lobster profiteroles from Rustico with Hay Shed Hill’s Block 6 Chardonnay.
We caught up with Cara and asked her a few questions about working and living in the Margaret River Wine Region.
What is your favourite varietal and why?
I don’t have one favourite but one of the top ones for me would be Chardonnay. It’s so versatile. I love how beautifully it can express where it is from and I love that the winemaker can have such an influence in the end result. I love how well it can age and how beautiful and fresh it can be young.
What’s your top tip for visitors to the region?
Talk to a local. One of my favourite parts about my job is sharing with customers all the awesome experiences I’ve had down here.
Your thoughts on what makes our region so special?
There is something for everyone down here. So much incredible produce, such a diverse range of places to eat and drink, so many great places for kids. Epic bushland, endless beautiful beaches. Our land here is so ancient, that’s super cool.
Thursday 27 July 2023 | 10am AWST
The long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the Australian wine sector hinges on the health, quality and integrity of its vineyards. Planting material is sourced from nurseries through the grapevine propagation supply chain, which also involves vine improvement organisations, grapevine collections, breeding and clone selection programs, post-entry quarantine facilities and private cutting suppliers. A quality nursery vine ready for planting is one that is of known type, healthy, establishes quickly and performs to expectations in the vineyard. The Australian wine sector currently lacks a quality assurance system which covers the entire propagation supply chain, from collections through to customers. This means that there can be only limited assurance that the material being supplied for vineyard plantings is ‘disease-free’ or of a certain provenance, creating uncertainty for buyers. This webinar provides an update on a Wine Australia-funded project to coordinate a National Grapevine Collection and develop a national certified standard for grapevine propagation material.
Presenters: Nick Dry (Foundation Viticulture)
Monday 26 – Thursday 29 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. Learn more.
Not to be confused with our own Golden Wreath Wattle (Acacia Saligna), Eastern States Wattles have become problematic in the South West due to their previous popularity as ornamental trees & as soil stabilisers. Weed Wattles are not a problem in their own natural geographic locations where local seed-eating insects keep them in check, but this natural control does not occur in Western Australia where these wattles reproduce prolifically by seed.
Why is that a problem? Wattles are nitrogen fixers. When they grow in an area that has been disturbed, the combination of disturbed soil and extra nitrogen encourages exotic grasses to invade. As the grasses dry out in summer, they increase the risk of bushfire. Fire stimulates more wattle seeds to germinate and a destructive cycle is set in motion. In addition, under optimum conditions weed wattles can form dense, almost impenetrable thickets of trees effectively, wiping out all other native plants and habitat for native animals.
All in all we don’t want them around!
In this practical demonstration workshop presented by well known local ‘weed warrior’ & contractor Rick Ensley from Margaret River Naturals, participants will learn how to identify the different types of weed wattles and some other woody exotic species common to the Lower Blackwood, AND some tips and tricks on how to deal with them using readily available tools.
When? Tuesday July 4th, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Where? 21 Bessell Road Rosa Glen WA 6285
Cost? This is a free event
What else? Wear appropriate farm footwear (clean) and dress for the weather. For biosecurity reasons participants will be asked to step through a bootwash before and after entering the property.
How? Register your details along with any special dietary needs here.
This event forms part of the LCDC’s Weedwork project, and is supported through funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.
11 September 2023 – Howard Park
A TICKET TO RIDE: What is ESG and what does it mean for you?
For wineries of all sizes, addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations is not an option – it is your “ticket to ride”.
Your major wine buyers, as well as your distributors, suppliers, employees, shareholders, bankers and insurers, are going to want to deal with organizations that meet certain ESG standards in the future. If you don’t stack up, you will be left on the shelf.
So what actually is ESG and what does it mean for your wine business? What will you have to do – practically?
Each year, Finlaysons and their friends, Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia, visit ten or eleven leading viticultural regions of Australia to impart their legal and commercial wine industry knowledge to winemakers and grape growers. This year they will endeavour to give some deep insights into what this ESG means for you and what you need to do about it.
Attend Finlaysons Wine Roadshow 31 and get yourself a “ticket to ride”.
General Admission $149 per head (plus GST)
Approved Association* Member $99 per head (Plus GST)
Additional Family Members attending a part of a family group receive a further $30 discount
Wednesday 31 May, 8.30am – 2pm
Stella Bella, Luminosa Vineyard, 191 Gnarawary Rd, Margaret River
Join agroecologist/viticulturist Dr Mary Retallack, Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd and Regional On-ground Coordinator, Kate Tarrant, Lower Blackwood LCDC, who will host a National EcoVineyards Program practical soil health field event with special guest presenter Mark Tupman, Productive Ecology, to discuss composting and soil health indicators. Learn more and register.
Friday 12 May 2023
8:30am to 12pm
Australia’s wine industry is already feeling the effects of climate change. Our weather is becoming increasingly variable, with more frequent extreme weather events affecting vine productivity. Summers are becoming steadily hotter and drier, leading to changes in vine phenology, with grapes ripening earlier and over a shorter period. This can result in vintage compression and grapes being harvested at increasingly high sugar levels. In the longer term, we may start to see changes in pest and disease pressures, increased water restrictions, changes in suitability of traditional winegrape varieties in some regions, and trade restrictions related to international carbon tariffs.
This workshop will take an in-depth look at the climate change projections for your region and their impact on grape production. It will then discuss key climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for the vineyard.
Margaret River Education Campus
Lot 272 Bussell Hwy
Margaret River WA 6285
Cost: $35 per person, inc. GST
Including morning tea
Thursday 3 August 2023 | 10am AWST
Wine Australia’s annual National Vintage Report is a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the Australian wine crush. It is produced on behalf of the wine sector based on survey data collected across all winegrowing regions in Australia. The survey is estimated to account for over 90 per cent of the total crush. This webinar will present a summary of the 2023 National Vintage Report, including an estimate of the total crush in Australia in 2023 and how it compares with 2022 and the long-term average; a summary of the grape crush in each region; a look at trends in varieties – increases and decreases; and an analysis of grape purchase value by variety and region including price dispersion.
Presenters: Sandy Hathaway (Wine Australia)
A sea change from Perth in search of world-class wine, unspoilt coastlines and beautiful forests led Samantha Bradley to quit her engineering job in Perth and buy a house in Margaret River.
As a long-time customer and big fan of Xanadu Wines, it was the first place she contacted for a job after completing her wine studies and the rest as they say is history.
A daughter of a wine merchant in the UK, Sam always had a strong interest in wine and food, with Champagne and smoked salmon blinis or Vermentino and ceviche as some of her favourites at the moment. Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley is on her travel bucket list, but it is Chardonnay, particularly from Margaret River, more specifically Steven’s Road, that she really finds exceptional.
With some wine studies and two years as the Cellar Door Assistant Manager at Xanadu, Sam has not looked back!
We asked Sam a few Q’s to share with us:
As vintage is coming to an end, our much-loved bookable winery tour will be recommencing soon. These offer customers the opportunity to be guided behind the scenes by Sherie or myself and are bookable via Rezdy through our website.
Lastly, the Cabin Fever and Fine Vines Festivals events are in full planning mode, these are always exciting times of the year for us. Watch this space.
12 – 14 May 2023
Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival is a storytelling spectacular, presented by Arts Margaret River.
10-week virtual, self-paced program commencing Tuesday 4 April
Learning program for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to investigate new R&D opportunities related to the Agrifood sector in WA. The course provides tools and information to help you better understand what’s involved with R&D and key things you need to consider at each step of the process. Learn more.
Wednesday 22 March
SW Labour Solutions is presenting this online information session for members seeking new solutions to secure staff in their business. Through the PALM scheme, eligible businesses can recruit workers for seasonal jobs for up to 9 months or longer-term roles of between one and 4 years in unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled positions. These longer-term engagements allow for stability in key positions.
Learn more and register for the session on Wednesday 22 March from 10am to 11am here.
Wednesday 15 March, Flinders University Adelaide
Join innovators in the fields of viticulture, wine, and tourism technology showcasing their game-changing ideas. Get an inside look at the latest advancements in the wine industry, from grape to glass, and network with like-minded individuals.
Learn more and register here.
In this webinar DTC Business Coach and Strategic Consultant, Georgia Rasmussen will look at benchmarking your existing DTC Channel vs the Global DTC Winery Market. Through that process, Georgia will discuss and define the key metrics you should be tracking to measure your success, and will then walk through how to prioritise your to do list drive program improvement.
Wineries attending this Webinar are likely to be at different stages of the growth curve, but there will be something for everyone in this hour of talking DTC.
Registration is free to ALL WCA Members, Non-Members will be charged $50 + GST.
The world of social media continues to evolve. Video continues to be king of content and we compete for attention given the average social media user accesses on average seven platforms. In many instances, it’s pay-to-play to ensure that your messaging is even seen. Join us as we explore the social media landscape in 2023 and talk about how to think differently about using these tools in your marketing mix.
This webinar will include some of the trends presented at Social Media Marketing World in San Diego the week prior.
When: Thursday 23 March, 2023
Time: 12.30-2pm AEDT
Cost: $50pp
Wednesday 5 April 2023, 7 am – 3 pm
The National Biosecurity Forum brings together key stakeholders from around Australia to discuss challenges, opportunities and innovative approaches for protecting Australia’s biosecurity system.
The forum helps us work together to maintain and strengthen our biosecurity.
Learn more here.
The highly respected journalists at The Real Review Wine have just launched a new classification of Australian wine based on a track record of a decade or longer of outstanding results, and Margaret River Chardonnay and Cabernets dominate.
Each wine that made it into the Classification system demonstrated their quality in their blind tastings over the course of at least 10 years, and they have published them into three classification tiers: 3 Merit, 2 Merit and 1 Merit with 3 Merit being the highest classification.
3 Merit wines are iconic wines Australia, wines of true provenance and exemplary track record. Fewer than 0.5% of wines produced achieve this tier. Most of these wines have received gold ribbons for recent vintages. Top vintages will score 98 points or more.
3 Merit Wines (MMM)
Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay
Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
Stella Bella Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon
Cullen Diana Madeline
2 Merit wines are wines that achieve gold and high silver ribbons in recent vintages, with top vintages achieving 96 points or more.
2 Merit Wines (MM)
Deep Woods Estate Reserve Chardonnay
Flametree S.R.S. Wallcliffe Chardonnay
McHenry Hohnen Hazel’s Vineyard Chardonnay
Pierro Chardonnay
Stella Bella Serie Luminosa Chardonnay
Xanadu Reserve Chardonnay
Xanadu Stevens Road Chardonnay
Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon
Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon
Xanadu Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon
Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Vineyards Merlot
Pierro Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Woodlands Margaret
1 Merit wines are wine that reliably achieve gold and silver ribbons in recent vintages, with top vintages achieving 95 points or more.
1 Merit Wines (M)
Devil’s Lair Chardonnay
Flametree Chardonnay
Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Chardonnay
Hay Shed Hill Block 6 Chardonnay
Howard Park Chardonnay
Lenton Brae Wilyabrup Chardonnay
McHenry Hohnen Calgardup Brook Chardonnay
Moss Wood Chardonnay
Vasse Felix Chardonnay
Voyager Estate Chardonnay
Xanadu Chardonnay
Moss Wood Semillon
Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc
Pierro L.T.C Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay
Cape Mentelle Shiraz
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz
Deep Woods Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Hay Shed Hill Block 2 Cabernet Sauvignon
Howard Park Leston Cabernet Sauvignon
Stella Bella Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon
Cape Mentelle Zinfandel
Cullen Mangan East Block
Moss Wood Amy’s
Thursday 19 May – Voyager Estate
Margaret River Wine Association presents our 2022 Sustainability Program.
5pm to 7pm (late arrivals welcome)
Free for MRWA Members, non-members $25.
Please note: there is a limit of 2 tickets per business to the sundowner (should you require more please contact Pip.
Thursday 19 May
Full day field workshop event for Viticulturists, Grape Growers and Wine Producers with in field practical demonstrations.
Limited to 20 participants, 1 ticket only per company.
Register here.
Wednesday 24 May, 2pm – 5pm, Margarets In town
Wine Automation
In a world first, Cambridge University is bringing low-cost automation to Margaret River. It will offer low-cost, practical automation solutions tailored specifically to the key needs of Margaret River wine businesses.
The Shoestring Digital Wine program is led by an Australian, Cambridge Professor Duncan McFarlane. Margaret River wineries stand to be amongst the very first Western Australian businesses to benefit from the Shoestring Digital program developed by Professor McFarlane and his Cambridge team.
For wineries, work process automation promises enhanced worker engagement and productivity, margins, sustainability and resilience in the face of unrelenting increases in the pace of change.
Shoestring helps each business to tackle actual problems, one step at a time, in a simple manner, using low-cost components and open-source software. Unlike high-cost standard automation offerings, Shoestring solutions will come from a clear understanding of what Margaret River wine businesses want.
If you would like your business to have the opportunity to engage directly with the experts at Cambridge University to prioritise and address your needs, please RSVP your attendance via this link, using “shoestring” as the password.
Shoestring is a business development program delivered by a network of Western Australian organisations supported by the University of Cambridge (UK) and backed by a four-year commitment from Western Australian government through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The Shoestring experience commences with businesses attending a group workshop that helps identify digitalisation priorities. Then, the Shoestring team works with individual businesses to help tailor solutions to their specific needs.
For more information on the program or to register an interest, contact Richard Fennessy or the FII team at [email protected].
To find out more about Shoestring, and to view a case study of an UK business please review:
Shoestring | Helping smaller companies to start digitalising (2:27min)
An industry example (4:42min)
The world is your oyster. Learn about choosing your next export market and have your questions answered at this Zoom information session.
Join WA Wines to the World on Wednesday 24th of November 9:00am – 10:00am for an information session about choosing your next export market, as well as an update on upcoming activations from WA Wines to the World.
Thursday 25 May, 7.30am to 11am AWST
Held at the National Wine Centre and streamed online.
An informative seminar, where you’ll learn practical tips and insights for a strategic approach to your social media management.
Discover the techniques of effective storytelling, and learn how to create a compelling narrative that connects with your audience and brings your stories to life.
For those unable to attend on the day, the event will be recorded and available to watch later.
If you’re a small business owner, marketing professional, or simply interested in improving your social media skills, grab yourself a ticket.
Learn more and register.
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.
21 June 2023, Sydney
The wine industry’s Direct to Consumer Summit is in Sydney on 21 June 2023.
This is an exciting opportunity for the wine industry to come together face-to-face to drive the growth of the direct to consumer market. At this event, you’ll hear from industry leaders, case studies of what works and what doesn’t, as well as what it takes to be a profitable and sustainable, growth focused direct to consumer wine business.
Event details:
When: Wednesday 21 June 2023
Time: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Australian National Maritime Museum
MRWA Member Offer ($100 off) ends 2 June 2023
As a member, you can get $100 off any ticket for the upcoming Direct to Consumer Wine Summit.
To redeem this offer:
Step 1: Click here
Step 2: Fill out your details.
Step 3: Then, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
How can you be Involved?
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]
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
Date: Tuesday, 8 August & Thursday, 10 August 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 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.
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.
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.
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).
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
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.
Date: Wednesday 4th August
Time: 8.30 -10.30 am
Venue: Clairault – Streicker Conference Room at Restuarant, a field trip will follow.
Genevieve Hanran-Smith and Drew McKenzie of Nature Conservation in collaboration with Chris Gillmore of Clairault Streicker will present current practices for arum lily eradication through the Arum Lily Blitz program with insights into practical development of Biodiversity Actions Plans to meet Sustainable Winegrowing Australia requirements.
Did you know 6000ha are ‘under vine’ across the Margaret River wine region?
That makes for a lot of wine-producing land – and lots of opportunities for weeds to take hold. Chris Gillmore, of Clairault-Streicker Estate, takes this threat seriously and is a great example of how arum lily control, asset protection and environmental responsibility can coincide.
This is also an excellent opportunity for those members and growers to understand how develop strategies to meet Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Freshcare AWISSP Viticulture and Winery standards. Both Standards require a Sustainability Action Plan (M2 Freshcare AWISSP) to be developed that requires various management plans, in this case specifically the Biodiversity Management Plan (E5 of Freshcare AWISSP – Viti and E6 of Freshcare AWISSP – Winery). Drew McKenzie has many years of experience developing Biodiversity Management Plans and will be available to answer questions during this session in relation to this.
Chris is one of over a thousand land managers in the Margaret River region that have joined the Arum Lily Blitz, a coordinated campaign to control arum lilies to protect biodiversity, agriculture and landscape values across the region.
To find out how you can become an integral part of the campaign to control arum lilies please join us for an informative morning that will also include morning tea, insights into developing a Biodiversity Management Plan and field trip (on site at Clairault Streicker 3277 Caves Road following the presentation).
Free for MRWA Members, non-members $25.
Register here https://www.trybooking.com/BTDOH
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
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.
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
Tuesday 9 May @ 11 am – 12:30 pm AWST
In this webinar, Angelica Crabb will reveal the latest results for Australian wine exports in the year ended March 2023, including the economic forces and consumer preferences that are impacting on overall export performance, trends in traditional markets for Australian wine, and a spotlight on recent performance in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia.
Presented by: Angelica Crabb, Senior Analyst, Wine Australia Market Insights
This webinar is free to ALL WCA Members.
Non-Members will be charged $50 + GST to access the webinar.
Learn more and register here.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
26 February
Regional Roadshows drive to elevate business success
Business owners will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge, sustainability, and accelerate success with the launch of a series of Regional Roadshows being rolled out to the South West, next week.
This new and exciting initiative steered by Business Station under the ASBAS program funded by the Federal Government, will enable business owners to access the hugely successful and highly relevant, low to no cost ASBAS Digital Solutions program.
Rolling out to Margaret River on Friday, 26 February, the program includes workshops covering essential and specific topics and one-on-one advisory sessions necessary to succeed in business today and into the future.
Presented by respected expert advisors, well-established and successful in their own businesses, the program is the gift that keeps on giving…the first interaction with the ASBAS Digital Solutions service is FREE. For those business owners who have previously taken advantage of the wide range of topics, there is a nominal fee of $20 plus GST.
Event details:
Venue: Margarets in Town, Corner Bussell Highway/Tunbridge Street
Workshops:
Topic 1: 9am to 11am – Protecting Business Information
Topic 2: 9am to 11am – Scaling with Success
**Break for Lunch – on us! See below:
Topic 3: 3pm to 5pm – The Visual Power of Instagram for Business.
*One to One Advisory sessions will be held between presentations.
Diarise: Hosted by Business Station to celebrate the launch of the Regional Roadshows, business owners are invited to join us for lunch, at our expense, at the fantastic River Hotel (Courtyard) from 11.30am to 1pm. It ‘ll be a chance to catch up with like-minded associates, enjoy locally sourced food and refreshments, get to know our Advisors and find out how the ASBAS program can drive business.
We wouldn’t want any business owner to miss this ‘golden’ opportunity to attend the renowned leading advisory service ASBAS program, or the lunch.
Registration is required for all events so please click on the below link:
For further information, and to give you more of an idea of the scope of the program, check out the links below:
https://www.business.gov.au/expertise-and-advice/australian-small-business-advisory-services-asbas
https://www.businessstation.com.au/program/asbas
And there is no need to miss any of the events – can’t make it to Margaret River? The Roadshow is accelerating to:
Wednesday, 24 February – Bunbury
Bunbury Geographe CCI
15 Stirling St
Workshops: 9am – 5pm
Thursday, 25 February – Busselton
Busselton Youth Community Activity Centre
212 Foreshore Parade
Business owners are invited to the celebratory ‘Drinks are on Us!’ From 5.30pm – 7pm at the city’s popular Ship Inn.
Workshops: 9am – 5pm
Presented by local agro-ecologist Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology, this workshop will explore the pros and cons of the various diagnostic tools available and the measures we can implement in the development of a sound economical program that ensures robust growth and high quality production in any agricultural or horticultural enterprise.
When? Thursday February 18th Presentation: 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Networking BBQ: 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Where? Lower Blackwood LCDC Office, 403 Kudardup Road, Kudardup
Cost? This is a FREE event.
1 day Workshop and Field Walk
Soil is the lifeblood of agriculture and is fundamental to our survival. Healthy soils are essential for healthy plant growth, food production for human nutrition and ecosystem services such as clean water and air. Healthy soils help to regulate the Earth’s climate and store more carbon than all of the world’s forests combined.
Presented by internationally respected author, educator, & farmer, Graeme Sait, this workshop & field walk will give farmers a deeper understanding of how soils function, what factors may be the limiting their soils productivity, & what steps they can take to ‘breathe life’ into their soils for year round soil health.
EVENT LOGISTICS
When? Tuesday February 23rd 2021, 9.00am to 4.00pm
Where? Glenarty Road
Cost? $100 + GST / participant
Find our more here or please contact: Kate Tarrant, LBLCDC Communications Officer
T: 9758 4021 | E: [email protected]