24/06/2009: New chair for Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has appointed a new chair to the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation board. James (Jim) Dominguez CBE AM starts his three-year term on 1 July 2009.

Announcements and Suppliers

24/06/2009: Retallack opens new viticulture consultancy
Well-known viticulture consultant Mary Retallack has launched her own consultancy, Retallack Viticulture, offering services throughout Australia.

18/06/2009: O-I’s Lean + Green™ range branches out
O-I’s new Lean + Green™ lightweight wine bottle range will be extended following strong market response to its introduction.

18/06/2009: Cumulus wines positioned for growth
NSW based, estate wine producer Cumulus Wines announced late last week the appointment of two new senior executives with Steven Barbera joining as chief executive and Adrian Lockhart as general manager of operations.

17/06/2009: Record attendance during ‘Shoalhaven Coast 2009 Winter Wine Festival’
The Shoalhaven Coast Winter Wine Festival – the premier food and wine event on the South Coast - broke all records for attendances over the June Long Weekend.

16/06/2009: Boozemonkey wine social network breaks web traffic milestone
The last three months have been a wild ride for Marc Jardine, developer of the online wine community BoozeMonkey (http://www.BoozeMonkey.com), and recent web traffic figures to the site have left him feeling justifiably pleased with the company’s progress so far.

10/06/2009: Post-harvest planning and pruning among key information in new Australian Viticulture
The May/June 2009 issue of Australian Viticulture, Australia’s only magazine dedicated to the business of viticulture, will be released in a matter of days, packed with the practical knowledge that its readers have come to expect in its 13-year history.

10/06/2009: Four weeks left for $50K to advance Australia’s grape and wine industry
Innovators have just four weeks to win up to $50,000 to advance Australia’s grape and wine and other rural industries.

09/06/2009: LEAN + GREEN™ roadshows set to tour South Australia
O-I will showcase its new Lean + Green™ lightweight wine bottle range in a series of regional roadshows in South Australia throughout June and July.

04/06/2009: Vintessential Laboratories to take over QCWT Grape & Wine Analysis service
The Queensland College of Wine Tourism CEO John Neville announced today that the College has entered into an arrangement with Vintessential Laboratories whereby, from 21 May 2009, the existing wine analysis service will be conducted from the QCWT laboratories by Vintessential Laboratories.

03/06/2009: Complete PET wine packaging research report available on Portavin website
Wine bottling and packaging specialists, Portavin, recently conducted a study of the suitability of 187ml PET bottles for packaging wine in Australia, with an abridged version of the results published in the January/February 2009 issue of the Australian and New Zealand Wine Industry Journal.

03/06/2009: Australian, New Zealand growers to benefit from pest control patent
California-based Lazo TPC Global Inc, has established new enterprises Lazo TPC Australia Pty Ltd and Lazo TPC New Zealand Ltd to launch its patented thermal pest control technology, which allows growers of vegetables and fruit, including winegrapes, to avoid using pesticides during the growing season.

03/06/2009: Prevention better than cure
A leading viticultural consultant has urged winegrape growers to protect their vineyards against botrytis, or face the risk of devastating crop losses.

03/06/2009: Grapegrower & Winemaker could be sending you to SIMEI
As the oldest and biggest selling publication for the Australian and New Zealand winegrape and winemaking industries, and with readers in more than 40 countries, the Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker is pleased to offer its readers the chance to visit SIMEI - the world leader in the exhibition of machinery, equipment and products for winemaking and for bottling and packaging of drinks.

02/06/2009: Starvedog Lane - Red Wine of the Year
Starvedog Lane's 2007 Shiraz Viognier has been named Red Wine of the Year at the Big Red Wine Book 2009/10 launch held yesterday.

Australian Wine Industry News

02/07/2009: Put Victoria on your table
The Victorian Wine Industry Association yesterday briefed the industry on an upcoming consumer campaign encouraging Victorians to 'Put Victoria on Your Table'.

02/07/2009: Inaugural Alasdair Sutherland scholarship announced
The inaugural Hunter Valley Wine Industry Alasdair Sutherland Scholarship has been awarded to Phil Le Messurier of Thomas Wines.

02/07/2009: New wine tax rulings provide guidance to the wine industry
Two new wine equalisation tax (WET) rulings were released last month which reflect the Tax Office’s views on a range of important technical issues.

01/07/2009: Taylors named Australia’s best winery at International Wine Show
For the second time in three years, the Taylor family’s winery in the Clare Valley has been chosen as Australia’s best at the largest and most prestigious wine competition in the USA – the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

01/07/2009: Langhorne Creek flows at Brisbane Fine Wine Festival
Nine of Langhorne Creek‘s wineries – the “Code Breakers” – brought their wines and winemakers to the Brisbane Fine Wine Festival last week.

30/06/2009: Call for rural leaders to ‘make a difference’ to wine industry
Given the current challenges facing the Australian wine industry, there has never been a better time for young agribusiness professionals to seize future leadership opportunities.

30/06/2009: Fifth Leg’s $1m Operation Kerplonk
Leading Western Australian wine brand Fifth Leg has embarked on an ambitious new campaign called Operation Kerplonk - designed to rid Australia of inferior quality wine.

30/06/2009: WA wines shine at International Wine Challenge 2009
The world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competition, the International Wine Challenge, has revealed a total of 306 Western Australian wines that received the honour of a commendation or higher, with two wines awarded a coveted regional trophy.

29/06/2009: Letter to the editor- Spawton corrects misinterpretation in article
Tony Spawton, associate professor of wine marketing at the University of South Australia, has rejected claims in a Decanter.com story which appeared on Daily Wine News last Friday, indicating France's wine industry needed to address its serious infrastructure problems.

26/06/2009: Quick stats update from CellarDoorMETRICS®
The most successful cellar doors, ranked by per visitor spend, this week were all in South Australia. First place was Limestone Coast, followed by Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale / Fleurieu.

26/06/2009: Lethbridge winemakers finalist in Gourmet Traveller Awards
Stand out winners of the 2008 Geelong Wine Show, Lethbridge Wines, have just received another accolade for their exciting combination of traditional and innovative winemaking.

25/06/2009: Water trade price report
Temporary water trading across most regions in the southern Murray-Darling Basin* is now closed for the 2008-09 irrigation season.

25/06/2009: Emerging grape varieties and the Australian wine industry
The Riverland Alternative Wine Group, in combination with emerging grape variety specialists, is hosting a seminar on 29 July at the Renmark Club.

24/06/2009: WA joins forces with WGGA
The Wine Industry Association of Western Australia (WIAWA) and Wine Grape Growers Australia (WGGA) have joined forces to offer WA winegrape growers a single membership to both organisations.

23/06/2009: Pewsey Vale Vineyard - Flag bearer for Eden Valley Riesling Internationally
Eden Valley pedigree, a 160 year old vineyard and the winemaking genius of Louisa Rose have delivered success for Pewsey Vale Vineyard at the International Wine Challenge 2009 UK (IWC).

23/06/2009: New AWBC chief executive appointed
The board of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation announced yesterday that experienced wine industry executive Andrew Cheesman has been appointed chief executive of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC), commencing 24 June.

22/06/2009: A wine best served with laughter
Last week saw the launch of a fun and vivacious range of new wines called the ‘Laughter Series’ by Canberra winery, Shaw Vineyard Estate. Created for Camp Quality - Australia's leading raiser of funds and laughter for kids with cancer – these wines will help raise money to ensure children with cancer have the chance to smile.

19/06/2009: Major varieties in decline but 2009 still delivers a bumper crop
The Winemakers’ Federation of Australia today released its report on the 2009 vintage, revealing that Australia’s winegrape crush declined by 7% or about 125,400t this year.

19/06/2009: WFA rejects claims in “incorrect” article
The Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) has rejected claims in a Decanter.com story that Australian wine industry bodies will call on the Federal Government for funding to help people leave the industry.

18/06/2009: Champion of wine industry collaboration appointed to key university role
Former head of the Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture, Professor Jim Hardie, has been appointed as the Director of the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga.

18/06/2009: Queensland wine foregone at Noosa festival
Writer for e-vine Martin Field questioned in its June 2009 edition, released this week, as to where the Queensland wine was at last month’s Noosa Food and Wine Festival.

18/06/2009: VINA works to increase phylloxera awareness
The Vine Industry Nursery Association (VINA) has responded to an article by Philip White (Lobbying puts old vines at risk) written for The Independent Weekly and referenced on Daily Wine News on 9 June 2009.

18/06/2009: Advantage: Bird in Hand
Bird in Hand Pinot Rosé will be served at the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championship.

18/06/2009: Unsung hero of the Adelaide Hills takes gold in London
The 2008 Tomich Hill Riesling has been awarded a gold medal at London’s 2009 International Wine Challenge, the world’s largest and most prestigious wine competition.

18/06/2009: Record $515m for primary industries
The NSW Government will invest a record $515m in the State’s valuable primary industries sector, supporting the jobs of more than 98,000 people directly employed in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mineral resources.

18/06/2009: A taste of France in the heart of Coonawarra
Rymill Coonawarra is offering 40 people the opportunity to savour the differences between the wines of the Old World and the New in July.

15/06/2009: Water trade price report
A monthly report by national water broker Waterfind found that the average price of southern Murray-Darling Basin* temporary water during May was $335 per megalitre.

11/06/2009: Winetitles a finalist in Supplier Of The Year
The 2009 Wine Industry Suppliers Australia (WISA) Supplier Of The Year awards have been ‘run and won’ but finalists now have to wait until the gala awards dinner on July 31 to find out if they’re a winner.

11/06/2009: Farewell Nic Law
Family, friends and colleagues gathered in Adelaide earlier today to farewell Nic Law, joint chief executive of Barossa-based Tarac Technologies and a long-time supporter and engaged participant in the Australian wine industry.

10/06/2009: Recession busting winery of the year
The recession doesn’t mean Australians have to go without great wine. One of Australia’s oldest wineries, Angove Family Winemakers, has been again recognised for its ability to provide great quality wine to households on a budget.

09/06/2009: Riverland's role in Heart of the Vine
Past experience with heart problems led to a Riverland family's involvement with the launch of a unique fundraising wine yesterday, Paul Mitchell reports in The Murray Pioneer.

05/06/2009: Water deal a major breakthrough for the Murray
The Victorian and Federal Governments’ breakthrough agreement to partially lift the 4% cap on interstate water trade, and allow the Commonwealth to buy an anticipated 460b litres of water for the Murray River system, was welcomed by the Australian Conservation Foundation and Environment Victoria.

05/06/2009: McGuigan wine takes third place in international Shiraz competition
Australian wine, McGuigan 'The Shortlist' – 2006 Barossa Valley Shiraz ranked third in the Top 10 Shiraz wines at the prestigious Syrah du Monde 2009 competition announced earlier this week.

04/06/2009: The AWRI in the Hunter
On 28 May The AWRI team gave a seminar at the Grand Mercure Hotel, Hunter Valley to more than 52 winemakers and grapegrowers. Participants heard presentations about vine nutrition, tannins and phenolics, and malolactic fermentation.

04/06/2009: Wine tasting with a twist
On 25 May, members of the Barossa Community enjoyed 'Wine Tasting with a Twist' at the Barossa Division of General Practice. The twist? The wines were de-alcoholised, The Leader reports.

03/06/2009: Red wine may be good for you, but green is better
Belgrave Park Winery, a boutique winery on the south coast of NSW, has just become completely carbon neutral - still quite a rare feat in the wine industry.

01/06/2009: Entries called for 10th Canberra International Riesling Challenge
Entries are now being called for one of Australia’s most successful wine competitions – the Canberra International Riesling Challenge.

01/06/2009: A bold case for Australian excellence
Today marks the wine industry’s most significant investment to date in telling Australia’s fine wine story to an international audience. Aimed at celebrating Australian excellence not just in wine, but also in terms of food, hospitality and tourism, 12 of the world’s most influential wine media and educators will be hosted by Wine Australia in the Barossa Valley for five days, before travelling further afield on regional tours across South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia.

01/06/2009: Quintessential Chardonnay takes top trophy at ICC
An Australian wine from the Yarra Valley near Melbourne won champion wine of show at the 2009 International Chardonnay Challenge in Gisborne on Friday.

International Wine Industry News

29/06/2009: Angels Dust Reserve Syrah - The Rock Star of Wild Rock Wines
Once again, the creative winemaking team at the Wild Rock Wine Company have hit the charts - this time with the increasingly popular star of New Zealand red wine varietals - Hawke’s Bay Gimblett Gravels Syrah.

24/06/2009: New name for the third Wine Ward in Walker Bay Wine District
Following the recent approval by South Africa's Wine and Spirit Board of the name “Hemel-en- Aarde Ridge” for the third Wine Ward in the Hermanus area of the Walker Bay Wine District, the way is clear for producers in the three Wards to unite under the name Hemel-en-Aarde.

23/06/2009: Light up your sales with Montana Nights
To celebrate its 30th Anniversary as the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Montana is creating a series of extraordinary dining experiences in breathtaking locations.

17/06/2009: New zealand wine industry announces 2009 vintage results
The 2009 New Zealand grape harvest reached 285,000 tonnes, keeping it to last year’s levels, New Zealand Winegrowers announced today.

26/05/2009: Younger leaves big shoes to fill
After a decade at the helm, Prue Younger has stepped down from the marketing and promotion of the Gisborne Winegrowers Society to concentrate on her own public relations business.

25/05/2009: Marlborough's top cellar doors announced
For the first time in the three year history of 'Wine Marlborough’s Mystery Shopper – Cellar Door of the Year', two companies have tied for first place. Both Spy Valley Wines and Herzog Estate delivered top results on two separate occasions, gaining an average of 98%.

21/05/2009: Wine & Spirits Poll: US restaurants see wine sales decrease
In the annual restaurant poll report in Wine & Spirits’ April issue, 38% of US restaurateurs reported a decrease in wine sales amidst the recession, while 62% claimed sales were the same or increased. The poll covers popularity and prices by brand, variety and country of origin as reported by sommeliers representing Zagat Survey’s leading restaurants across the US.

19/05/2009: Harvest 2009 heralds new Marlborough venture
The completion of the 2009 harvest in Marlborough marks the genesis of Kevin Judd’s new wine label, 'Greywacke' – and brings to a close his 25 vintage role as chief winemaker at Cloudy Bay Vineyards, a career inextricably linked to the international reputation of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

15/05/2009: Bill Spence steps down as general manager
Bill Spence, co-founder of Matua Valley Wines will step down as general manager on 30 June 2009, after 35 years in the position.

15/05/2009: Tony Keys - Live from London - Day 2
The organisers of The London International Wine Fair are calming down a little, announcing that they have now had over 11,000 visitors at the end of day two, around 5% down on last year. Exhibitors are skeptical of the figures, not exactly a new conflict.

14/05/2009: 2009 vintage heralds great reds for Hawke's Bay
At almost the very end of the Hawke’s Bay vintage, winemakers are looking more relaxed than they did a couple of months ago. Following an annual vintage survey conducted by Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc. of its members, the 2009 vintage is looking brilliant for Hawke’s Bay’s red wines.

13/05/2009: Prestigious Wine Spectator applauds Montana’s Sauvignon Blancs
Four of Montana's Sauvignon Blancs excelled in the influential American magazine Wine Spectator’s latest tasting of New Zealand wine.

12/05/2009: Oxygen management and closure critical to wine quality.
Initial results of a German study from the Geisenheim Research Center clearly demonstrate that oxygen control during bottling has a significant effect on wine development.

12/05/2009: Saint Clair ranked internationally as New Zealand’s top winery
Saint Clair has consolidated its rising reputation as New Zealand’s premier winery by topping the list of the New Zealand wine producers in the list of the world’s best 100 wineries.

11/05/2009: Seresin Estate leads the way in organics and biodynamics
Seresin Estate's commitment to the environment has been recognised in the Marlborough Environment awards.

08/05/2009: Marlborough looks for young viticulture marvel
The Marlborough wine industry is searching for the region’s top young viticulturist.

07/05/2009: Thierry’s launches new website at the London International Wine Fair
Thierry’s, the UK’s number one importer of French wines and best independent route to market, is to launch its brand new website – www.thierrys.co.uk.

07/05/2009: First New Zealand wine made from certified biodynamic grapes
Richmond Plains Wines, located in Nelson, New Zealand, has become the first vineyard to be certified fully biodynamic by Demeter, as of 27 May 2009.

07/05/2009: Festival Writers to taste Man O’ War Wines
Writers in town for this month’s 2009 Auckland Writers & Readers Festival, which runs from the 14-17 May, will be introduced to some of New Zealand’s best wine, grown and produced on nearby Waiheke Island.

01/05/2009: 2007 Gumfields Pinot Noir strikes gold at Vinordic
A new brand produced by West Brook Winery has come away with one of the most prized awards on the European wine scene, the coveted Gold Trophy for overall “Best Value Red Wine” at the 2009 Vinordic Wine Challenge. The Gold Trophy was awarded to the 2007 Gumfields Marlborough Pinot Noir.

01/05/2009: Aura launches specialist wine services
Aura Sustainability Ltd is launching a range of core services that aim to add value to New Zealand wine producers.

Research Findings

21/05/2009: Hannibal has much to answer for
A Wine Intelligence survey of 3000 wine drinkers (2000 UK and 1000 US) asked respondents to write down the first word they thought of when shown the name of a particular wine region, as reported in Decanter.

21/05/2009: Daily Wine News Reader Survey: Wine blogs - users’ perceptions
Although wine blogging is not new, it is lacking in thorough, meticulous research. Despite the fact that wine bloggers have attempted to gather information on the wine blogging community, these surveys are often lacking rigour.

What's On in Australia

01/07/2009: Victoria’s award winning drops ‘ripe for the tasting’ at Fed Square
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply enjoy the occasional tipple, you’re invited to sample Victoria’s finest drops at the annual Fed Square Wine Awards Showcase on 5 -6 August.

29/06/2009: A brand new world of solutions: Hotel Hospitality + Design launches in 2010
The first of its kind in Australia, Hotel Hospitality + Design - the largest, most comprehensive event targeting the hotel and hospitality industries - will launch at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, 24-26 May 2010.

25/06/2009: Tasmanian wine sets sails
Tasmania’s wine producers promise mainland wine lovers an arresting selection of the island’s best wines at the forthcoming landmark event Tasmania Unbottled 2009.

25/06/2009: Celebrating new arrivals at the Rymill Coonawarra stable
Rymill Coonawarra is delighted be launching The Yearling Sauvignon Blanc and The Yearling Shiraz, partners to The Yearling Cabernet Sauvignon. To celebrate this exciting occasion, Rymill Coonawarra will be hosting a party at their winery on Tuesday 30 June, 5-8pm.

24/06/2009: Industry experts converge for Hyatt Wine Week 2009
Some of South Australia’s top winemakers, including Wolf Blass and Stephen Henschke, will converge on Adelaide for a week in August to celebrate all things wine, food and fashion.

24/06/2009: New VFF president to speak at Rural Press Club
Newly elected VFF president Andrew Broad will address this month’s Rural Press Club of Victoria at a lunch tomorrow at the Hilton on the Park.

23/06/2009: Teaching irrigators to pass the salt
Grapegrowers are increasing production and economic returns from commercial plantings by participating in a research project teaching irrigators to actively monitor and manage salinity on their properties.

23/06/2009: Food and wine showcase trumpets the culinary charms of the Hunter and the Central Coast
The innovative excellence of the Hunter and Central Coast food and wine industries is being championed at NSW Parliament this week, as the State Government hosts a regional food and wine showcase.

22/06/2009: Bookings open to experience Chardonnay’s new breed with the Wine Communicators of Australia
With Sauvignon Blanc more than nipping at Chardonnay’s heels, the WCA asks: “Is Chardonnay suffering an identity crisis?”

22/06/2009: Call for entries - 2009 Hyatt Advertiser South Australian Wine of the Year Awards
Hyatt Regency Adelaide invites all South Australian wineries to enter the State's most unique and prestigious wine industry awards.

18/06/2009: Calling wineries from throughout Australia to exhibit at the Sumptuous Hyatt Wine Trail
Showcase your winery at The Sumptuous Hyatt Wine Trail, the grand public tasting event for Hyatt Wine Week 2009.

18/06/2009: ‘What’s going on’ conference to be held next week
Winegrape growers in the Murray Valley region of Victoria and New South Wales will have the opportunity to hear the latest information on the major issues confronting them and their industry when Murray Valley Winegrowers’ presents its annual ‘What’s going on…?’ conference in Mildura next Thursday, 25 June.

17/06/2009: What's going on?
Winegrape growers in the Murray Valley NSW/VIC have the opportunity again to obtain the latest information on major issues confronting them and their industry at the What’s Going On conference, June 25 in Mildura.

17/06/2009: Taste of WA - The secret of WA wine revealed to the East
The Wine Industry Association of Western Australia is proud to announce that their popular Taste of WA wine tasting series will be heading to the Eastern States for the first time.

11/05/2009: Experience the Barossa’s winter harvest
The dates for the Barossa Gourmet Weekend have been confirmed for 22-23 August 2009.

16/04/2009: Winery Engineering Association gears up for 2009 Conference in Barossa
The annual WEA Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Wolf Blass Winery Visitors Centre in the Barossa Valley on 24-25 June. This year’s theme is Sustainability through Technology.

What's On Overseas

23/04/2009: Raising a glass to a new era
HospitalityNZ has a long established reputation as a dynamic industry event. Its continual evolution is crucial to maintain it market leader position as the essential date in the business calendar for the New Zealand Hospitality industry. As part of this tradition of evolution, show organiser, dmg world media today announced a restructure to incorporate an expanded format for the wine component of HospitalityNZ 2009.