Tuesday 9 & Wednesday 10 April 2024

Attend the IWINETC 2024 to discover the inspiration, business connections and content you need to create world-class wine and culinary tourism experiences for your customers.

Learn more.

27 March 2024, Adelaide

Build focused wine growth strategies in key international markets
The Summit aims to educate and share the collective knowledge of industry leaders’ experiences to better inform and educate wine businesses, so they can enhance their commercial outcomes, grow export markets and position their brands in a positive position globally.

The Summit will focus on established markets such as the UK, USA and Canada as well as other markets where there are business opportunities for wine brands, including New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and other South East Asian markets.

Event details:
When: Wednesday 27 March 2024
Time: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre

Register here.

Call-out for speakers and interested partners

Partners – we invite interested Sponsors to get in touch with us to discuss how they can leverage this highly regarded platform to showcase their organisation to an engaged audience. Download the Partner Information Pack for more information.

Speakers – if you’re interested in speaking at the Summit, please contact Alex Gibbs at [email protected]

There are some great activities happening at Margaret River’s wineries for the Easter Long Weekend 2024.

In addition to cellar door tastings, dining and picnic options at your favourite producers, check out these special events, happening exclusively over the weekend.

Saturday 30 March

Smokin’ Saturday @ Walsh & Sons

Farm House Phil’s back on the grill to bring you some classic finger lickin’ goodness- a smokin’ feast of lamb ribs and sides as you enjoy your favorite Walsh & Sons drops…What better way to kick off the holidays! Bring your squad, your blanket and well-behaved pooch. They’re keeping it old school with a Farm House free-range meat raffle drawn at 7:30pm… you gotta be there to win it. Discover More

Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 March

Live Music @ House of Cards

Bring your picnic rug for these family friendly events! Enjoy House of Cards wine and Yallingup Cider by the glass with bites by Chows Table. Music by Ricky Green on Saturday from 2pm to 5pm and by Brayden Sibbald, Simo & Edlin on Sunday from 1pm to 7pm. Discover More

Easter Long Weekend @ Lenton Brae 

Celebrate this Easter long weekend at Lenton Brae, where the vineyard comes alive with music by Cleo Destouches and Vic & Pearl on Saturday from 11am – 5pm.  The deli is open daily to make your own platters local produce to enjoy with your wines.  Simmos ice-cream for the kids. Sunday features Caleb Carlton from 1pm – 4pm along with Little Hands Dumplings providing delicious treats from 12pm. Cellar door is open 10am-5pm. Discover More

Saturday 30 March to Monday 1 April

Easter Wine Lounge @ Cape Mentelle

Join the team at Cape Mentelle this Easter for the launch of their new Wine Lounge. Fabulous new furnishing under the marquee – all the way from Spain, makes for a beautiful spot to share your favourite Cape Mentelle wine with friends. Cheese boards available, bean beds on the lawn and the sun will be shining! Discover More

Snake + Herring End of Harvest Carpark Sale

Snake + Herring are digging through the archives and offering special rewards and exclusive deals on some of your favourite ranges.  They will also be dishing out some delicious prawn rolls and rolling with our regular tastings and good times. Cellar Door open times: 11am – 5pm daily. Discover More

There are so many great activities happening at Margaret River’s wineries for the March Labour Day Long Weekend 2024 in Western Australia.

In addition to cellar door tastings, dining and picnic options at your favourite producers, check out these special events, happening exclusively over the weekend Friday night 1 March to Monday 4 March.

Friday 1 March

Friday Night Pours @ Busselton Pavilion

Head along to the first of this new tasting series, focusing on local wineries in the region, with complimentary tastings from feature producers from 4-6pm. Friday Night Pours kicks off with the awesome portfolio of McHenry Hohnen. (Upcoming wineries on future Fridays include Victory Point, Wines of Merritt and South by South West).

Saturday 2 March

Cape Grace Winemaker’s Pick

Enjoy the unique opportunity to experience the excitement of vintage at Cape Grace Wines. Go behind the scenes at the winery for this special event. You’ll help harvest and process their award winning red grapes, and lay the foundations for the ferment of their red vintage. Have your questions answered and discover the winemaking process, plus taste previews of upcoming releases in bottle and barrel.

Discover More

Shellfish & Sauvignon @ Passel Estate

Join the team from Passel Estate between 1-3pm, when they’ll be firing up their BBQ to serve delicious crayfish and shrimp rolls. Relax on their deck and enjoy a brioche roll full of succulent crayfish meat and shrimps, completed a glass of the Passel Estate Sauvignon Blanc.

Discover More

Juniper Pizza Weekend

The Juniper team will be turning out piping hot pizza pies, with their latest release wines by the glass or bottle. Chill out on the lawn under the Peppermint trees for a relaxing afternoon, from midday until 4pm. No bookings required.

Read More

Picnic @ Xanadu – Sold Out

You’re invited to our inaugural Picnic at Xanadu on Saturday 2nd March. Take in our picturesque grounds with a specially prepared charcuterie pack and some of your favourite Xanadu wines. With picnic blankets and live music, this is the perfect way to kick back and enjoy the end of Summer.

Sunday 3 March

Marqi Gras Brunch @ Marq Wines

To celebrate the Sydney Mardi Gras, Marq Wines is hosting its very own Marqi Gras Brunch.
The event includes a glass of Sparkling Vermentino on arrival and substantial brunch style canapes, wonderfully entertaining drag performances and games. Book tickets via Marq Wines, 10am-1pm.

Discover More

Juniper Pizza Weekend

The Juniper team will be turning out piping hot pizza pies, with their latest release wines by the glass or bottle. Chill out on the lawn under the Peppermint trees for a relaxing afternoon, from midday until 4pm. No bookings required.

Discover More

Thursday 8 February, 5.30pm – 7pm
Pioneer Park, Cowaramup

With vintage 2024 commencing you are invited you to join Wadandi Pibulmum Elder, Dr. Wayne Webb for a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, for everyone who has recently joined our region to work vintage in our wineries and vineyards. The traditional smoking ceremony is used to cleanse and purify the spirit, body and soul and signifies the beginning of something new.

The free event is hosted by the Margaret River Wine Association and the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association and will also feature live music by The Nomadics.

Guests are encouraged to BYO chairs or picnic blanket.

Whilst living, travelling, visiting and holidaying on Wadandi Boodja, we ask that you respect the area and walk softly on the country, taking the time to listen to Boodja (Country) as she Wongi (talks) of the season, and leave nothing but footprints.

–  Pibulmun Wadandi Yunungjarli Elder Wayne Webb.

Funded with support of the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

Webinar Date: 27 February 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM (30 minute webinar)

Do you have a research idea for your business?

Learn how the Innovate to Grow program can help you build your skills, develop your innovative ideas, and meet experts in industry and research institutions.​ Join us for a 30-minute webinar on Tuesday 27 February to learn more and ask questions.

Innovate to Grow is a self-paced and virtually delivered program designed to help small to medium-sized businesses get involved with research and development. The free 10-week program is run by CSIRO and supported by DPIRD. The new round will begin in April 2024. The program is open to SMEs based and operating in Western Australia working on innovative technologies or solutions across a range of agriculture and food industry subsectors. Learn more about the program here.

Participation in this webinar is free.
The Teams Meeting link will be provided via email one day before the event.

Tuesday 12 December, 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Are you interested in accessing a source of skilled labour that also offers a skilled refugee and their family the opportunity to rebuild their lives in Australia?

The Department of Home Affairs invites you to attend a free webinar on how Australian employers can use the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program (the Pilot) to:

• access the talent that exists in refugee and displaced populations to address workforce skills shortages; and
• offer a skilled refugee and their family the opportunity to rebuild their lives in Australia

The Pilot, delivered in partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), enables Australian businesses endorsed by TBB to enter into a labour agreement with the Australian Government to sponsor an approved skilled refugee or displaced person on a permanent or temporary basis through existing employer sponsored visa programs.

Concessions to standard visa eligibility requirements available under a Pilot labour agreement are designed to reduce barriers for businesses and skilled refugees/displaced persons accessing these employer sponsored skilled visa pathways.

Together, the Department and Talent Beyond Boundaries will cover:

1. How the Pilot works;
2. Concessions available under the Pilot;
3. How TBB can support you to find, hire and welcome a candidate;
4. TBB’s endorsement process; and
5. Outcomes so far, including first-hand candidate and business testimonials.

Register for the free webinar on 12 December to learn how you can use the Pilot to help your business.

Margaret River Wine Association & Nature Conservation Margaret River Fundraiser

6pm Tuesday 19 December

We love our community! We invite you to support our annual Fundraiser Night. All proceeds from the tickets sales and bar sales on the night will be donated to next year’s Margaret River Rivermouth revegetation day.

Rachel’s Farm is one woman’s journey from ecological despair to finding hope in the soil beneath her feet. Film director and actress Rachel Ward is not the first person you’d expect to join a farming revolution. In this triumphant film, Rachel voyages from wilful ignorance about the ecological impacts of conventional agriculture on her own rural property, to embracing a movement to restore the health of Australia’s farmland, food and climate.

Book tickets

Many thanks to Cape Mentelle for their generous support!

Meet Bec Phillious; she is the Cellar Door Manager at Edwards Wines and has been working there since it opened in April.

She doesn’t have a favourite wine variety; telling us she prefers to choose her wine “depending on the day, my mood, the weather, the company, and what I’m eating!”

We caught up with Bec and asked her a few questions about working and living in the Margaret River Wine Region and what exciting events are coming up for Edwards.

What is your favourite food and wine pairing?

A bold, oaked Chardonnay with buttered popcorn because it’s fun and accessible to everyone.

Your thoughts on what makes our region so special?

Oh wow, so many things the history of our wine industry, the diversity of our region and the fact that you can go wine, spirit and beer and hiking all in one day.

What’s your top tip for visitors to the region?

Save your hand luggage for wine, quality over quantity when visiting wineries, and make sure you make time to drive through Boranup.

What’s next on the events schedule at Edwards?

Oh, we have so many wonderful things planned. Upcoming members tasting events, the release of our members exclusive Ocean Series, Miss Chow’s coming in Spring 2024, our chocolate and wine pairings becoming a daily offering, serving a light platter to go with our wine by the glass, the list is pretty endless at the moment and I’m so excited about what we will have to offer!

When: Friday 17 November 2023 8:30am – 4pm

Where: 12-Micron, Barangaroo, Sydney

What: Australian Women in Wine National Symposium. A day of connection, networking, learning and empowerment.

Focus: Leadership & Ambition in the Wine Industry – Exploring the challenges women face pursuing a career in Australian wine & how to advance them to positions of power for the betterment of the industry.

Price: $395.00. Includes all speaker sessions + morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, and the opportunity to connect and build relationships with other women in wine across the regions.

Registrations open here on Friday 23 June 2020.

Events Under $100

Women in Wine in Witchy  Sunday 22 October

Join four of the South West wine world’s leading ladies for an afternoon of sipping and snacking in Witchcliffe. Converge on the terrace at the Witch and Windmill in Witchcliffe and enjoy high tea-inspired snacks from local artisans while you sip on small batch wines.

Cath from Arlewood, Liv and Mij from South by South West and Sharon and Alex Peters from Amato Vino will be on hand to chat through their wines and what it’s like to be a woman in wine in here the Margaret River region.

Willespie Cabernet Tasting   Saturday 21 October

Dive into forty years of sensational wine over four tastings with a grand tour through Willespie’s Cabernet Sauvignon. This unique tasting event, focusing on one single varietal, offers a robust understanding of Margaret River’s most renowned and loved grape, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Come to understand how a great Cabernet ages over time, as the Willespie team dive deep into their cellar, showcasing a Cabernet Sauvignon from each decade between the 1980s and now. During the tasting light lunch will be served on the balcony overlooking the Willespie vines.

Patisserie Meets Passel Estate Saturday 28 October

Indulge in beautifully crafted treats alongside equally beautiful wines when Maison Lassiaille teams up with Passel Estate.

Explore the lush grounds of Passel Estate through a progressive wine tasting enjoying award-winning, single-vineyard wines including the rare and exclusive Lot 71 Reserve wines and a museum vintage, all paired with decadent high tea treats with vegetarian options available.

Roam at your own pace or let owners Barry and Wendy Stimpson lead the way, all to a soundtrack of live, classical music. Dress in your most elegant garden party attire but remember to bring appropriate footwear for the vineyard and trails.

Petit Pet Nat Party Thursday 26 October

For the lovers of Pet Nat, the Pet Nat party goes petit this year to offer just 30 guests an exclusive showcase of Western Australian Pet Nats in the Bungalow Wine Room.

Guided by a local wine maker Rhys Parker of Dunsborough urban micro winery Vallee du Venom, you’ll get to taste 6 Pétillant Naturel wines from wineries such as Vallee du Venom, Brave New Wines and L.A.S. Vino, famed for their light fizz and fresh aromatic expression, matched to canapés from the Bungalow kitchen over the course of the evening.

An intimate yet casual affair.

SkinSea Saturday 28 October

An unforgettable wine and seafood safari awaits you at Bungalow Social. Traverse through a curated selection of skin contact wines from beloved South West wineries including Vallee de Venom, Black Cocky Wines, Skigh Wines and LS Merchants, to name a few.

Spend your Saturday afternoon sipping your way around the venue, then venture to the seafood station and choose from an array of coastal creations including lobster rolls, prawn cocktails, fresh oysters and seafood skewers to enjoy with your skin-contact wines.

DJs will be spinning vinyl throughout the afternoon and into the evening so stay on for an afternoon of skinsy drops and delectable bites.

Busselton Wine Hop Saturday 21 October

This progressive wine tasting through Busselton’s city centre is a multi-stop, self-guided wander where you’ll meet and greet with a swag of Margaret River region wineries at your own pace.

Busselton’s best venues will host several small-scale producers including Credaro, Black Cocky Wines, Churchview Estate, Di Latte Estate, Brookland Valley, Morlet Wines, Vallée du Venom, Cha Cha Wines, Wines of Merritt, Corymbia, Altair Estate, Skigh Wine, Capel Vale Wines and Passel Estate for a low key day of vino and fresh air.

Spaghetti Disco – Wine Hop After Party  Saturday 21 October

Keen to keep on dancing after your time around town on the Busselton Wine Hop? Or just love all things disco and/or Italian and looking for a fun Saturday night?

Join us upstairs at Shelter for the official Busselton Wine Hop After Party; Shelter’s take on Spaghetti Disco (an Italian dance music sub-genre) is all about embracing the flavours of Italy and taking a step back to the disco era of the ‘70s.

DJ Cuppa Tea will spin her favourite disco tunes as you explore a dedicated wine list focussing on Italian varietals grown in Margaret River. A Meatball Sub special to help soak up those tastings from earlier in the day. Guests are encouraged to dress in glitter, jewels, and bright prints.

Brunch at the Bazaar Sunday 29 October

Let your taste buds take you on a journey through the Middle East with Inspired Feasts and Mandoon Estate Wines over an exotic, 4-course tasting menu paired with the Mandoon Margaret River range of wines.

Crafted by Inspired Feasts using locally sourced produce, each course will be paired to a carefully curated selection of wines to complement each plate in front of you. Taste Mandoon’s award-winning range of Reserve Sparkling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Merlot made right here in Margaret River.

Free Events

Skip the ticket all together with our free entry events.

Strings With Vin Sunday 22 October

Spend a glorious Spring afternoon in the stunning gardens of Skigh Wines listening to the contemporary sounds of string quartet, Dolce Ensembles.

Bring along a picnic or purchase a grazing board from Skigh’s selection of local cheeses to enjoy alongside their much-loved wines. Perfect for a relaxed-paced afternoon with a stunning soundtrack.

The Orange Party Sunday 22 October

Head to LS Merchants for volume two of their energetic orange immersion. Gather at their Treeton cellar door as LS assembles their friends from the region to pour a selection of their finest orange wines for you to enjoy.

Dive into the world of skin contact whites and see why they are making waves in the wine world. Food will be available for purchase from local food truck with DJ sets from LS Merchants and friends.

Dressing in orange attire is encouraged.

Open Vineyards Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October

No cellar door normally means no visitation. But for one weekend, Fine Vines Festival has your exclusive invitation to get behind the gate and go between the vines to meet the makers at wineries and vineyards generally not open to the public.

Meet the makers behind some of your favourite Margaret River Region wines and get to understand their own wine making process, right where the magic happens.

Margaret River Main Street Takeover  20-29 October

Taste the best of the Margaret River Wine Region in one central location this Fine Vines. From 20-29 October, Margaret River Main Street’s iconic restaurants and bars will join the festivities offering their own unique experiences.

From wine-by-the-glass offers to curated wine lists and opportunities to meet the makers, you can discover a range of Fine Vines wines and experiences right in the heart of Margaret River townsite this October.

The Margaret River Wine Region is brimming with winemakers, wine educators and sommeliers just waiting to pour their wealth of knowledge into your glass, and this year’s Fine Vines Festival is the perfect way to deepen your wine understanding.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or are looking to take your understanding of this world-class region to the next level, there’s an event to suit your level. Here are a few of the ones we’ll be checking out.

Play Your Chards Right: Friday 20 and Sunday 22 October

What is malo? How does oak influence Chardonnay? And why is Margaret River’s climate so perfect for growing Chardonnay?

Learn how to properly taste this iconic Margaret River style in a masterclass with local winemaker and wine educator Charlotte Newton.

Discover the nuances that contribute to the versatility of this flagship white grape, tasting six Margaret River Chardonnays while undertaking a blending exercise using barrel samples, all under Charlotte’s guidance. The best blend takes home a bottle of Charlotte’s own label, ChaCha Chardonnay.

Book Play Your Chards Right

Busselton Wine Hop: Saturday 21 October

This progressive wine tasting through Busselton’s city centre is a multi-stop, self-guided wander where you’ll meet and greet with a swag of Margaret River region wineries at your own pace. Busselton’s best venues will host several small-scale producers, each on hand to share their wine and passion. Accumulate wine knowledge, taste and compare or just enjoy a low key day of vino and fresh air.

Wineries involved in the day include; Credaro, Black Cocky Wines, Churchview Estate, Di Latte Estate, Brookland Valley, Morlet Wines, Vallée du Venom, Cha Cha Wines, Wines of Merritt, Corymbia, Altair Estate, Skigh Wine and Passel Estate.

Want to your Saturday afternoon to keep going into the eve? Join the Shelter crew for Italian Disco – the official Wine Hop After Party!

Book Wine Hop

Behind the Bubble: Saturday 21 October

Have you ever found yourself wondering how they put the sparkle in sparkling wine? This Spring, craft your own bubbles with acclaimed Howard Park winemaker and sparkling wine specialist, Nic Bowen.

Follow the process from barrel to bottle with a winery tour exploring the ins and outs of tirage, disgorging and dosage. Put your skills to the test by creating the perfect sparkling wine.

Book Behind the Bubble

Somm Trek: Saturday 21 October

Uncover your next favourite drop, with the help of a Somm to decode the wine speak. This is the insider’s insider tour: a five-hour, sommelier-hosted vineyard trek with one of WA’s most respected sommeliers and wine educators, Foni Pollitt.

Criss cross the region visiting Windows Estate, Swings & Roundabouts, Marri Wood and Marq Wines with informed commentary from Foni about the wines you’re tasting and the region. Grazing platters await you at Windows Estate with lunch following at Swings & Roundabouts to top off your afternoon.

Book Somm Trek

In Conversation with Andrew Caillard MW: Thursday 26 October

Join author of The Australian Ark, Andrew Caillard MW, for a fireside In Conversation chat with co-publisher Angus Hughson at Voyager Estate. Scheduled for release in November, The Australian Ark is an epic three-volume tome that tells the story of Australia’s wine history from 1788 to the modern era.

Upon arrival, enjoy a selection of Voyager Estate wines and canapés to savour as the conversation begins to flow. A special event for those wanting to deepen their Australian wine knowledge as well as the Margaret River context.

Book In Conversation

Open Vineyards: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October

No cellar door normally means no visitation. But for one weekend, Fine Vines Festival has your exclusive invitation to get behind the gate and go between the vines to meet the makers at wineries and vineyards generally not open to the public. You’ll get to go behind the scenes at some of your favourite Margaret River Region wines and get to understand their own wine-making process – right where the magic happens.

Buy bottles and get the inside scoop from your favourite small batch producers including Burnside Organic, Jilyara, Frazer Woods, Cloudburst, Trait Wines and more.

View the Open Vineyards blog

South Australia
16 to 19 October
30 October to 2 November

Tuesday 9 April, 2.30pm – 3.30pm AWST

Led by the state government and supported by Wines of Western Australia. These briefings will reinforce the messaging from the whole-of-industry sector webinar. Attend a briefing to hear about: how the China wine market has changed, how to prepare to re-enter the China wine market and which exporter support programs could assist you. Learn more. 

Friday 29 September, 8.45am to 3.30pm

Lower Blackwood LCDC presents this hands-on 1 day workshop with presenter David Hardwick from Soil Land Food, you will learn the theory behind fermentation based bioferments and biofertilisers.

Learn more and register.

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.

Learn more and register. 

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.

Singapore Airlines is a proud partner of Margaret River Wine Association. Both entities are passionate advocates of fine wine, sharing a vision to sustain a contemporary and refined selection, whilst remaining committed to providing their network with the highest possible standards of quality in their attention and offerings to their customers.

World-class insights from a celebrated panel of experts

Singapore Airlines takes great pride in wine selection and customers can appreciate extraordinary wines from the finest vineyards located in many prominent wine regions across the globe. With methodical care and deliberation, wines are handpicked by Singapore Airlines’ wine consultants, represented by some of the world’s most knowledgeable and respected wine aficionados:

• Michael Hill-Smith is Australia’s first Master of Wine, and an esteemed wine consultant, wine judge, writer, and commentator, who has been a member of the Singapore Airlines family for over two decades.
• Jeannie Cho Lee is the first Asian to be awarded the ‘Master of Wine’ title. She is an honoured wine critic, judge, educator, and the award-winning author of Asian Palate, Mastering Wine and Perfect Pairings.
• Oz Clarke is one of the world’s most accomplished wine authorities, with a wealth of knowledge on viniculture and winner of major wine writing awards.

Collectively, the panel endorses a particular assortment of wines and Champagnes which they believe to be of a certain unmatched standard, and therefore fit to be served on Singapore Airlines flights.

A sophisticated testing and selection process

Continuing a distinguished heritage of delivering people to the finest places in the world, Singapore Airlines also proudly delivers the finest wines from around the world to its guests. Meticulous care is taken to ensure that each passenger is gifted with the quintessential and iconic Singapore Airlines service of luxury and elegance with their selection of wine.

Wines are selected from either a tendered process, where blind tasting is undertaken by the respected Singapore Airlines wine consultants, or through personal visits to vineyards and wineries across different revered wine regions. These careful and delicate approaches allow Singapore Airlines to fortify relationships with exclusive maisons and domaines, to nourish the wine selection opportunities, and ultimately seek to procure the most distinguished wines available.

Personal Sommeliers at 30,000 feet

A devoted appreciation of wine is synonymous with Singapore Airlines, with an expertly trained cabin crew. Their expertise involves identifying the origin and significance of certain wines, commenting on the unique characteristics of different wines, and the ability to recommend a perfect pairing to complement a meal.

Air Sommeliers are present on Singapore Airlines flights and are committed to providing informed guidance to customers and fellow crew members. Air Sommeliers can be identified onboard by a pin reminiscent of small bunch of grapes, worn on their uniform.

An astonishing fleet of awards

With sustained efforts to ensure an unparalleled flying experience and wine selection, Singapore Airlines has been internationally praised, and awarded five gold awards in the Cellars in the Sky Awards in 2022 and 2023. The Airline also holds claim to the coveted Best Overall Cellar for three consecutive years, in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The gold awards garnered include:

• Best Presented First Class Wine List
• Best Business Class Cellar
• Best Business Class Red
• Best Presented Business Class Wine List

This international esteem only reinforces Singapore Airlines’ commitment to offering the finest wines.

An extravagant international menu

Fancy a fine dining experience, delivered at 30,000 feet? Singapore Airlines customers can experience beyond the warm and impeccable service on their next flight in Premium Economy, Business Class, First Class or Suites with ‘Book the Cook’ – their own tailored restaurant in the sky.

‘Book the Cook’ is an extraordinary culinary experience, where customers on selected Singapore Airlines flights may choose from a wide selection of carefully crafted dishes, including creations inspired by Singapore Airlines’ renowned International Culinary Panel. Customers can savour the flavours of the world without ever leaving their seat.

Singapore Airlines has fostered a relationship with seven globally recognised chefs to augment the dining offerings onboard. As connoisseurs in their respective cuisines, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table and craft dishes that are inspired by the expansive Singapore Airlines global network, and by their own experiences and cultures.

If you are looking for an unmistakably unique and memorable dining experience, ‘Book the Cook’ by Singapore Airlines is the perfect service. With its variety of dishes and impeccable presentation, Book the Cook is the height of luxury in the sky to complement the famous Singapore Airlines commitment to the highest standards of service to its customers.

Online Workshop – Tuesday 26 September, 8am – 9.30am for 5 weeks

For business owners and managers eager to enhance their coaching skills to better lead their teams. Begin with a leadership assessment to understand your natural style of leadership, normally at $150.

MRWA Member Discount – enter code: Margaret to receive $100 off (exp 4 Sept).  Learn more and book here. 

Tuesday 9 April @ 10am – 11am AWST

DTC Business Coach and Strategic Consultant, Georgia Rasmussen will present this webinar with a focus on the DTC road map and channel planning.

Georgia is an expert in the field and always has practical tips on how best to approach DTC channel planning for your wine business.  In this presentation she will provide a refresher session on her DTC Road Map, and highlight areas that need addressing to optimize your results. She will then walk through how to prioritise your to do list to tackle these areas.

Registration is free to ALL WCA Members, Non-Members will be charged $50 + GST.

Find out more and book 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.

Showcasing the stunning Margaret River Region

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.

Who is the IWSC?

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.

Meet the Judges

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.

Tuesday 13 February, 10am – 11am AWST

A global specialty packaging pioneer, CCL is the largest label company in the world, providing innovative solutions to a wide range of markets globally. In the Australian market, CCL services the Wine & Spirits industry with premium pressure sensitive labelling solutions with a strong partnership approach.

Environmental protection has long been a part of their strategic plan, and in Australia CCL have worked hard to not only reduce our own carbon footprint at each of their manufacturing sites, but also to support and guide their customers on their own sustainability journey, regardless of their production volumes.

In this webinar Taylah Minchington, Key Account Manager at CCL Label Australia will discuss:

• designing for sustainability
• value engineering
• packaging trends
• embellishment innovations in the pressure sensitive label space.

She will reference existing sustainably minded label projects and explore the launch of CCL Label’s EcoSelect Range which created a gateway for hundreds of brand owners, winemakers and procurement professionals to access a range of sustainable paper stock solutions in one reference tool.

Consider how you can apply these learnings to your own wine business?

This webinar is free to ALL WCA Members.
Non-Members will be charged $50 + GST to access the webinar.

Register here.

Thursday 1 February 2024 

Traditionally hosted in Coonawarra the 2024 symposium is presented in association with WoWA and sees the joining of forces of Australia’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon producing regions, Coonawarra and Margaret River.

Learn more and book tickets.

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)

Register here

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.

Cherubino Wines

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!”

Image: Tuscan influenced architecture of Cherubino Wine’s Margaret River vineyards and cellar door.

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.

Credaro Wines

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.

Image: Three generations of the Credaro family in the vineyards at Woolston A

“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.

Mr Barval

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.

Altro?

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:

• Key vineyard diseases (powdery mildew, downy and botrytis)
• Conditions for disease outbreaks
• Identification and management
• Resistance issues
• Program outline for Margaret River’s conditions

Malcolm Jones will update on spray application and concentration factors.

Register here.

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)

Register here

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:

• The Soil-Plant Relationship
• Carbon based soil amendments
• Seeding and establishing multispecies pastures and crops to improve soil resilience and productivity

A practical demonstration using tools to monitor plant / soil health

Learn more and register.

Cara Newton – Hay Shed Hill
Cellar Door Manager

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)

Register here

 Wednesday 10 April, 9.30am to 10.45am

Join Wine Australia and Austrade for a 75-minute webinar on the latest trends and activities in the Japan and Korea markets. Learn about new opportunities, market updates, and upcoming activities in these dynamic regions. Whether you’re a seasoned wine exporter or just curious about these markets, this event is perfect for you. Don’t miss out on this chance to expand your knowledge and connect with industry professionals.

Register here

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

Find out more here and book.

Click here for Margaret River Wine 2023 to 2024 Marketing Opportunites.

Published May 2023.

Tuesday 26 September, 9am to 4.30pm

Lower Blackwood LCDC Water on Farms in a Drying Climate

Learn about practices, tools & technology that will assist in managing water on the farm with the utmost efficiency. Presented by Hydrologist Lance Mudgway from the Mulloon Institute, and agroecologist David Hardwick from Soil Land Food.

Learn more and register.

 Thursday 11 April, 4pm to 5.30pm

A live webinar event.

The application of nutrients, or fertilisers, that plants require is an important component in primary production operations. For numerous reasons, crops or pastures, may not naturally get all the nutrients they need from the soil in order to perform well. The considered application of fertiliser is often necessary to meet the desired outcomes of enterprise programs.

The price of fertilisers continues to rise as global supplies are used up, this coincides with a general decline in soil health in agriculture and a greater reliance on and requirement of fertiliser to maintain production. More than ever, there is both an economic and environmental imperative to make nutrient applications as efficient and effective as possible.

Presented by Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology, this webinar will explore how the application of nutrients to the foliage of plants can be an effective way to improve crop/pasture nutritional status, and as a consequence reduce the volume and costs of some inputs whilst at the same time contribute to improved soil health.

Topics covered include:

• Why Foliars – soil constraints, efficiency, environmental implications
• Determining nutritional requirements for a foliar program
• Improving photosynthesis and protein synthesis
• Suitable forms of nutrients for foliar applications
• Application rates and spray concentrations
• Compatibility – what is and what’s not
• Chelating/Complexing Nutrients for improved uptake
• Winning Combinations – Nutrients, Biostimulants and Inoculants
• DIY recipes for success
• Getting the tank mix right – water quality, pH, EC, mixing order
• Application Considerations – climactic conditions, time of day, spray equipment/nozzles, stage of growth, frequency…
• Testing effectiveness – Brix, Plant and Tissue Analysis

Where? You can participate in this webinar from the comfort of your own home!

How? Once you register you’ll receive a confirmation with a link to the webinar. As this is a LIVE, ONLINE webinar you’ll be able to ask questions during and after the presentation.

After the webinar we’ll send you:

• Access to the recording of the webinar
• A PDF of the presentation

Register here

Monday, March 11th 2024 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Business Hub Boardroom, Margaret River Chamber of Commerce

Overview of the Fair Work Amendments and Impact on Growers, along with an Introduction to Ethical Sourcing.

Register here. 

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

Register here.

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)

Register here

Samantha Bradley – Xanadu Winery
Cellar Door Assistant Manager

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:

• What’s your top tip for visitors to the region?
  I would say plan your visit and book ahead to avoid disappointment, particularly when it comes to dining options.
• Where is a hidden gem in the region to visit?
  Ellensbrook House – which is a heritage-listed property managed by the National Trust. Steeped in history, it is located just outside of Margaret River and offers a beautiful spot for a picnic close to the dunes, just a short walk from the ocean.
• What’s next on the events schedule at Xanadu?
  The new menu from recently appointed Head Chef Andrea Gaspirini has been released and it has been extremely well received by our customers. Then starting in May, we will be offering cheese boards from the Cellar Door 7 days a week, from 12pm-3pm. These can be pre-booked or ordered from the Cellar Door on arrival.

  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.

www.mrrwfestival.com

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.

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

Book tickets.

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.

RSVP here.

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.

Find out more and register.

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.

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:

• Across all varietals and price points (although of particular interest in classic varietals); they are looking for products that satisfy different lifestyle & occasion needs e.g. Organic, Vegan, Lower Alcohol, Non-alcoholic/Alcohol Free and Other Attributes/Claims (e.g Certified Biodynamic, No Preservatives Added, Preservative Free, Sustainable Winery etc). These may be overt call outs on front label or supported by more discreet back label or shelf edge ticketing communication
• New pack formats and bottle types across all varietals and price points
• $25 – $100 wines with provenance across all varietals for higher wine mix stores; representing 100 of our most important Dan Murphy’s and 300 of our most important BWS wine stores across the country.
• $20+ wines across the following varietals; Gamay, Grenache & Grenache Blends, Malbec, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Nero d’Avola, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and other unique varietals / blends with a particular focus on wines with regionality and provenance

Other important points to note:

• All NPD will be expected to hit pre agreed hurdle rates; an initial review will be conducted 13 weeks post implementation and failure to meet these will require successful plans to address performance to maintain ranging
• Where proposed or likely ranging includes a small number of stores and / or projected velocity would see movement of <1 pallet a month through our DC network, Fulfilled By Endeavour or direct to store delivery would be the preferred distribution method. Speak to your relevant category manager if more information is required.

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:

• Cellar Release
• Cleanskins
• Value Bins
• Wines Of The World (mainly products that aren’t varietally labelled)
• Non-alcoholic/Alcohol Free

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:

• Commercial Metrics –  Sales per store, Growth, Profit
• Customer Metrics – Customer Loyalty & Product Substitutability
• Supply Metrics – Supply Service Levels
• Logistical Efficiency

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

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:

• An overview of different wine tourist segment profiles
• Ways to tier your service offering
• Effectiveness of each service offering as a revenue stream
• Impact of charging for wine tastings
• Ways to implement data collection and cellar door service offering optimisation

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

Register here 

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

Register here 

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)

Register here

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.

Register here.

Margaret River Region Chardonnay Tasting
Friday 10 September
Vasse Felix

The Margaret River Region Chardonnay Tasting is a time to celebrate everything that is great about Margaret River Chardonnay!

At the tasting we will be looking at samples from the 2021 Vintage. All Chardonnay producers are invited to submit samples and participate in the blind tasting.

How to get involved

If you have one or more representative vineyard samples from within the Margaret River GI Region you are encouraged to get involved. You are welcome to submit as many samples as you wish, with each sample to be supplied in 4 x 750ml bottles. All samples we receive will be open and available to taste.

Please note this will be a blind tasting, with technical and geographical data displayed for each sample. All participants are invited to bring a colleague to the tasting on 10 September, commencing at 10:30am for a 10:45am start.

Registrations & Information

To register your participation please do so here, or for more information please contact me on (08) 9756 5035 or by emailing [email protected]

We hope you can join us!

We are calling on all of our Fine Vines Festival venues, suppliers and partners to join forces with us to spread the word as far and wide as possible, so we can ensure a successful first year for all of us.

Here is a small schedule of promotion that we strongly encourage you to take part in.  If everyone does what they can from their businesses, we have no doubt we’ll all be able to build the festival’s audience quickly.

We’re starting off with a Social Media Blitz on Thursday 26^th 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.

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.

Find out more here.

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.

Download flyer.

Register here.

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:

• LCL versus FCL shipments
• Shipping containers – sizes, types and liners
• Export pallets and slip sheets
• FOB definition (Incoterms)
• Freight Forwarder FOB charges
• Challenges with FOB Fremantle terms
• Current global shipping trends

There will also be time for Q&A after the presentation.

Register to attend here.

2021 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge to Unite.

The James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenges will be ‘blended’ and judged simultaneously for the first time in August 2021.

The James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge is a celebration of the world’s most popular two varieties and Australia’s outstanding regional diversity.

Margaret River Wine Association and Wine Yarra Valley will collaborate and jointly host the Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenges. They will be judged in the Yarra Valley in August this year and then will move between the two iconic regions on alternate years.

Born in the Yarra Valley in 2012, the James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge celebrates all chardonnays in its quest to find the nation’s best. Chardonnay is Australia’s most planted white variety and the continuing evolution of its style by Australian makers is heralded globally.

The James Halliday Australian Cabernet Challenge was launched in 2016. As the world’s most widely planted vine and Australia’s third most planted variety, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Australian wine’s great success stories.

“The decision to bring the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Challenges together in August provides a win-win scenario for all the stakeholders.  This year the Challenges will be held in the Yarra Valley, next year in Margaret River.  The results will provide a unique snapshot of the state of play of these two great varieties.” James Halliday

The highest pointed wines for each variety will be rewarded with the James Halliday Trophy and the regional winners with scores of 95 points or more are also recognised.

Entries are open until Friday 30th July 2021.  Judging will take place Monday 23rd August – Wednesday 25th August 2021 in the Yarra Valley, and a comprehensive contingency plan is in place if changes are required.

Enter via ShowRunner at https://wineshow.awri.com.au/2021-halliday-cabernet-chardonnay-challenge

For further information contact:

Wine Yarra Valley – Sarah Donnellan, Marketing Coordinator [email protected]

Margaret River Wine – Pip Heaford, Communications & Events Manager [email protected]

Margaret River Wine and Wine Yarra Valley are the official and peak wine industry bodies in their respective regions. While each is passionate about their own area, they are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with another Australian fine wine region.

Origins Market has an opportunity for a collective of wineries to share a space and staff in the Urban cellar door. Great opportunity for wineries looking to expand, or are needing a temporary cellar door while building or just wanting to sell direct to consumer without all the overheads.

Expressions of interest are open now for anyone wanting to find out more about the collective.

Find out more about the Winery Collective

Find out about leasing your own space

Contact Cassy Howard for more details, to register your interest in the collective or to discuss a pop-up space.
0457 503 636  |  [email protected]

Program Update & Info Session: The Changing Global Consumer

Join WA Wines to the World on Thursday 2nd September from 9.30am – 10.30am to hear about the changing expectations of global consumers, from Wine Consumer specialists, Wine Intelligence.

This is the second of their Zoom info sessions, designed to update WA wine exporters on their program activities and provide information about specific practical topics of interest.

This session will cover:

• Introduction to Wine Intelligence and their data
• UK, USA and Canada – similarities and differences
• Asian market insights – Japan, Singapore and HK- similarities and differences
• Data available to WA wineries

There will also be time for Q&A after the presentation.

Register to attend here.

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.

Register your business.

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).

Register here.

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):

• Red wine
• Australia – Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales or Victoria
• Based on min. 70 % Shiraz
• Organic
• No or discreet influence of wood
• No use of oak substitutes such as wood staves, wood chips, wood extract or similar (written confirmation from producer to be presented upon purchase)
• Vintage: 2019 or more recent
• Glass bottle 75cl
• Price: Vinmonopolet wants a retail under 200KR. To reach a retail price of 169,90KR we need an EXWORK of 5€ with max alcohol level of 13,5%. However, we can also present a retail price up to 190,90KR and for that the price can go up to 6.50€ per bottle on a wine with max. of 13,5% alcohol.
• Uncommitted prognosis: From 3.000 a year up to 20.000 bottles a year depending on price and availability.
• Samples must be sent before 5/8/2021

Specifications (ref #202203002):

• White wine
• Australia – Western Australia
• Appellation: GI Margaret River
• Blend based on min. 80 % Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
• No or discreet influence of wood
• Vintage: 2019 or more recent
• Glass bottle 75cl
• Price: Vinmonopolet wants a retail under 220KR. To reach a retail price of 179,90KR we need an EXWORK of 5€ with max alcohol level of 13%. However, we can also present a retail price up to 219,90KR and for that the price can go up to 6.50€ per bottle on a wine with max. of 13% alcohol.
• Uncommitted prognosis: From 1.000 a year up to 17.000 bottles a year depending on price and availability.
• Samples must be sent before 16/9/2021

Specifications (ref #202203003):

• Rosé wine
• Australia
• Based on min. 80 % Shiraz or Grenache
• No use of wood
• Max. 5 g/l sugar
• Vintage: 2021
• Cardboard packaging 75 cl or 100 cl
• Price: Vinmonopolet wants a retail under 135KR (75cl). To reach a retail price of 129,90KR we need an EXWORK of 2.40€ with max alcohol level of 13.5%. However, we can also present a retail price up to 134,90KR and for that the price can go up to 2.80€ per 75cl cardboard on a wine with max. of 13.5% alcohol.
• Uncommitted prognosis: From 17.000 a year up to 47.000 bottles a year depending on price and availability.
• Samples must be sent before 16/9/2021
• Only one offer per producer. If more than one offer is submitted by the same producer, only the lowest priced offer will be assessed for purchase, regardless of wholesaler.

Specifications (ref #202203005):

• Red wine
• Australia – Western Australia
• Appellation: GI Margaret River
• Based on min. 80 % Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2018 or more recent
• Glass bottle 75cl
• Price: Vinmonopolet wants a retail under 300KR. To reach a retail price of 210,90KR we need an EXWORK of 6.40€ with max alcohol level of 13%. However, we can also present a retail price up to 299,90KR and for that the price can go up to 11.70€ per bottle on a wine with max. of 13% alcohol.
• Uncommitted prognosis: From 600 a year up to 2.000 bottles a year depending on price and availability.
• Samples must be sent before 16/9/2021

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.

www.goodfoodshow.com.au

Buy tickets.

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.

www.goodfoodshow.com.au

Buy tickets here.

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:

• an introduction to partnering principles
• identifying which partnerships are critical to success
• setting up successful partnerships at strategic points in your value chain
• how to work together for mutual benefit.

Join  this free industry event brought to you by Food Industry Innovation at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Download Flyer

Register Here

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.

Find out more and register.

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:

• Presentations on the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) program.
• Opportunity for one-on-one discussions with Margaret River Wine Association Sustainability Engagement Officer, Ely Jarvis.
• Presentation of benchmarking case studies relative to the Margaret River region.

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.

Download Flyer

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.

1. Read the information at www.qantas.com/WineTasting/SubmittingYourWine.action
2. Take note of the dates below.
3. For each wine you submit, complete a separate Submission Form on the website.
4. Send in samples as per 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

Open Submission Form

• One form per wine.
• You will receive an email confirmation of this submission, sent to the email address you enter on the form.
• On the form, “Total Quantity Submitted” means the volume you can sell to Qantas.
• Price is “net” of all taxes – means excludes all taxes.

Wine samples: Send in sample bottles. One bottle of each only.

• Wine to arrive during the weeks of Monday 14^th  June – Friday 25^th June.
• Samples received before or after these dates will not be considered.
• Address samples to Trent Andrews, Qantas Centre of Service Excellence, 70-80 Euston Rd Alexandria, NSW, 2015
• Please ensure that you clearly label the carton with QANTAS TASTING.
• One bottle of each wine is required.
• All wine submitted becomes the property of Qantas.
• Cardboard or other recyclable postage packing is preferred to polystyrene packing.
• No tank samples.
• No samples for economy 187ml.

Wines Varieties Being Reviewed in July 2021

1. Cabernet & Cabernet Blends for Business Class
2. Shiraz & Shiraz Blends for Business Class
3. Pinot Noir for Business Class
4. Other Red Varieties for Business Class
5. Sauvignon Blanc for Business Class
6. Riesling for Business Class
7. Chardonnay for Business Class
8. Other White Varietals for Business Class
9. Dessert wine for Business Class
10. Business Class Fortifieds
11. Tasman Business Class White Wine (NZ produced Wines)
12. Tasman Business Class Red Wine (NZ produced Wines)

General Requirements

• Refer to ‘Selection Process’ page for information regarding wine styles.
• Please ensure there are adequate quantities available for purchase of the wine you send in for sampling.
• Minimum sale amount 1 pallet.

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 31^st 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.

• Public Workshop* – Monday 14 June (max 5 people per winery)
• Custom Training workshops (virtual half day & onsite half day) –  3 Sessions available Tuesday 15 June morning, Thursday 17 June afternoon and Friday 18 June afternoon.

See full proposal

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 19^th 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

Read More

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 4:30 pm  6:00 pm

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:

1. Could it be from the northern or the southern hemisphere?
2. Is it a pinot noir, a cabernet franc, a sangiovese or a shiraz?
3. What vintage is it from: 2009, 2012 or 2018?

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.

Book now at Trybooking!

Our Partners

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

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.

Purchase tickets – $85.49

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.

Download flyer here

Register here

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

southregionaltafe.wa.edu.au

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!

Download Flyer

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 31^st May & Thursday 3^rd 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

See Full Proposal

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.

Program summary.

For more information contact [email protected]

Register here.