The Grapevine: Wine industry updates from South Australia
In this edition of The Grapevine: The Lane Vineyard returns to Australian hands and sports stars buy a Barossa winery. Plus the latest wine industry events.
- The Lane Vineyard returns to Australian hands
- Sport and media stars buy Barossa winery
- Barossa winemaker wins red wine award
- SA winemakers make prestigious Awards shortlist
- Wine journal gets top marks
- Wine Communicator Awards open for entries
The Lane Vineyard returns to Australian hands
CEO of The Lane Vineyard Jared Stringer has become a shareholder of the company alongside a local Adelaide Hills investor, returning the business to Australian hands after more than a decade of foreign ownership.
The Lane Vineyard – and Adelaide Hills-based estate founded in 1993 – was sold to the UK’s Vestey family in 2011.
Stringer has served as the company’s CEO since 2019, and decided to invest personally in the future of the company “as a vote of confidence in our team, the strength of the brand, and the enormous potential that still lies ahead”.
“It is not lost on me that we are the custodians of one of the most iconic wine and food destinations in the country, and I am humbled to be able to build on this incredible foundation,” he said.
“It is a rare privilege to lead a business you love – rarer still to become part of its legacy.
“The Lane is a place of innovation and excellence with a vibrant team culture at the fore; the future is very bright.”
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| The Drop In: Reds Edition: The Drop In invites guests to explore a wide range of lesser-known reds, including Barbera, Tempranillo, Aglianico, Mencia, Blaufränkisch and more on July 4.
The 19th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference: The Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference, known as AWITC, is heading to Adelaide from July 20 to 23, 2025. Wine Tech Meetup: The French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), alongside SA AgriTech Meetup, is bringing the Wine Tech Meetup to Adelaide on July 22, 2025. The Penfolds Showcase: Penfolds is hosting The Penfolds Showcase experience at its historic Magill Estate on Sunday, August 10, 2025, to celebrate the release of The Penfolds Collection 2025. Gala Dinner – South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards: The South Australian Business Chamber and the Government of South Australia are hosting the Gala Dinner for the South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday, August 29, 2025. |
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Sport and media stars buy Barossa winery
A syndicate of South Australian businessmen, media personalities and sports stars have acquired one of the Barossa’s most historically significant wineries.
Bethany Wines was sold to the syndicate, having most recently been tended to by generations of the Schrapel family.
The new owners include media personality Ryan Fitzgerald, Australian cricketer Alex Carey, AFL stars Izak Rankine and Brodie Smith, and businessmen Graham Hobbs, Leigh Curyer, Garry Winter, Dimitris Parhas and Brendon Roberts KC.
The Bethany Wines vines were first planted in 1852 – a legacy the new owners hope to maintain and elevate.
Plans are underway to expand the cellar door experience, enhance visitor facilities and showcase the estate’s natural wonders, including a waterfall and unique spaces along the Heysen Trail.
Barossa winemaker wins red wine award
Barossa Valley winemaker Hare’s Chase picked up awards for Red Wine Producer of the Year and Shiraz of the Year at the 2025 Sommelier Choice Awards in Chicago.
The brand’s Ironscraper Shiraz won the Shiraz of the Year, while all four of Hare’s Chase’s wines entered received gold medals and 90+ point ratings.
“Being recognised at the Sommeliers Choice Awards by the very professionals who shape the US dining experience is a tremendous honour, Hare’s Chase chief winemaker and general manager Matt Reynolds said.
“Having our wine evaluated and awarded by a panel that includes Master Sommeliers validates our commitment to excellence in every bottle.
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“We pride ourselves in making red wines that deliver on the promise of generous flavour that the Barossa is renowned for and these results uphold the continued appeal and relevance of the classic Barossa style.”
SA winemakers make prestigious Awards shortlist
Jim Barry Wines’ Tom and Sam Barry have been shortlisted as Winemaker of the Year in the prestigious 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards shortlist.
Port Willunga-based Paralain, Tanunda-based Rieslingfreak and Kangarilla-based Yangarra Estate are also flying the flag for SA across major award categories.
Winners will be revealed on August 20, and wine lovers can now vote in the People’s Choice Award via winecompanion.com.au for a chance to win a $1300+ prize pack.
Wine journal gets top marks
The Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, owned by the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and based in Adelaide’s Industry House at the National Wine Centre, has been ranked the most influential grape and wine-focused journal in the world.
New metrics from Scopus in June show the AJGWR achieved a CiteScore of 6.5 in 2024 – an increase from 5.3 in 2023.
This is based on 157 articles published over the past four years being cited 1028 times in other publications.
Within the horticultural category, the Journal was ranked 11th in the world, and is the highest ranked journal on oenology and viticulture.
“The achievement of the ‘yellow journal’ to be the leading viticulture and oenology journal in the world reflects the collective efforts of our editorial board, associate editors, reviewers, and contributors over many years,” AJGWR chief editor Stefano Poni said.
“I am grateful for their dedication and hard work.
“I am very pleased to take a moment to share and celebrate this proud milestone with the Australian wine research community.”
Wine Communicator Awards open for entries
The 2025 Wine Communicator Awards are now open for entries.
There are 13 categories in the Awards’ 13th year including new categories Best Wine Communicator: Marketing and Best Wine Communicator: Sales.
“These Awards now truly celebrate the diverse contributions made to the wine industry across a number of different communication channels, and we can’t wait to see all the talented entries flood in over the coming weeks,” Wine Communicators of Australia board member and Awards Committee chair Olivia Barrie said.
Entries close on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Winners will be announced on November 6, 2025 at an Awards Ceremony in Sydney.
Award criteria, entry forms and past winners are available here.
