The Grapevine: Wine industry updates from South Australia
In this edition of The Grapevine: Greg Clack unveils a new small-batch label and Treasury Wine Estates celebrates a milestone. Plus the latest wine industry events.
- Greg Clack’s new label
- Wine’s multibillion-dollar economic contribution
- Treasury Wine’s Barossa milestone
- Applications open for international wine program
- McLaren Vale producers win at prestigious competition
- SA producers win at Sydney Royal Wine Show
- Applications open for Australia-China winemaker program
- New program to support SA wine businesses
- Bottle Shock throws down the gauntlet
Greg Clack’s new label
Esteemed South Australian winemaker Greg Clack has unveiled a new small-batch label called Aptitude Wines.
The former Chain of Ponds chief winemaker and XO Wine Co director is known for his terroir-driven approach to winemaking that combines technical knowledge with creative intuition.
“Aptitude is about recognising and harnessing the inherent potential of a site,” Clack said.
“It’s the synergy between the land’s character and the winemaker’s instinct.”
The label will launch with limited allocations of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Gamay, Grenache Rose, Dolcetto Sangiovese and Riesling Cortese.
Wine’s multibillion-dollar economic contribution
Australian wine contributes $51.3 billion to the Australian economy, according to a new report release by Wine Australia.
The report, produced by AgEcon Plus and Gillespie Economics, found that for every additional $1 million in gross output from the wine sector, the wider economy gains $2.16 million.
Wine Australia CEO Dr Martin Cole said the report demonstrated the importance of the sector.
“The grape and wine sector is a unique contributor to the Australian economy given its significant multiplier effect and importance to the vitality of regional communities,” Dr Cole said.
Treasury Wine’s Barossa milestone
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Treasury Wine Estates marked 20 years since the opening of its Barossa Packaging Centre at Nuriootpa – a then $75 million development.
The site spans five hectares and is the largest premium wine bottling facility in the Southern Hemisphere. It acts as the “engine room” for the company, and produces 96 per cent of its Australian wines.
Over the past three years, TWE said it had invested more than $180 million in additional technology at the site, including the $165 million luxury winemaking expansion in 2022.
The site now employs up to 190 staff at the site on any given day, increasing to 260 people during peak production.
Site manager Jorge Henry said the milestone was important for the producer, its people and the larger industry.
“The Barossa Packaging Centre was ambitious and technologically advanced for its time; one that TWE has continued investing in to remain at the forefront of wine technology and processing for the past 20 years,” Henry said.
Applications open for international wine program
The Great Wine Capitals knowledge exchange program is now accepting applications from researchers and academics who want to travel to iconic wine regions to share knowledge and expand their skills.
Adelaide has been a member of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network since 2016.
Last year, ten South Australian recipients travelled to Great Wine Capitals across the globe to exchange innovative ideas and deepen their networks within the international wine community.
“The Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program is an excellent way for our wine professionals to learn from leading international experts and bring that experience back to South Australia,” Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said.
Applications close on September 19. For more information, click here.
McLaren Vale producers win at prestigious competition
Three McLaren Vale producers picked up five different awards at the prestigious 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
Koomilya’s JC Block Shiraz 2022 was awarded Best Shiraz, earning a near-perfect 99 points, while Bondar Wines was recognised as the Best Value Winery.
Thistledown Wines picked up three awards: Wine of the Year, Best Grenache and Best Red Wine for its Charming Man Grenache 2024, grown in Clarendon.
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| Pinot in the Pavilion: Beresford Wines is lifting the lid on their new 2024 Emblem Pinot Noir, a cool-climate drop crafted from Adelaide Hills fruit. To mark the release, Beresford is throwing a one-day tasting experience called “Pinot in the Pavilion” at its McLaren Vale estate on September 13.
Champagne vs Sparkling Masterclass: The National Wine Centre is hosting a “Champagne vs Sparkling Masterclass” on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, offering a blind tasting experience for wine enthusiasts. |
SA producers win at Sydney Royal Wine Show
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Sidewood Estate’s 2025 Estate Pinot Gris was named the Best Pinot Gris at the 2025 Sydney Royal Wine Show.
The drop represents a modern, cool-climate expression and is made by hand from fruit grown at Sidewood’s Charleston and Oakbank vineyards.
Willunga 100’s 2014 Trott Vineyard Grenache won the Grenache Trophy and was named best small producer.
Winemaker Renae Hirsch said the wine exemplified the power, purity and finesse of Grenache from McLaren Vale.
“These old bush vines planted in deep sand in Blewitt Springs produce wine with vibrancy, purity and elegance, lovely natural acidity and fine tannins that combine so well with the multiple layers of savoury flavour to give a wine of great complexity,” Hirsch said.
Applications open for Australia-China winemaker program
Australian Grape & Wine is inviting early-career winemakers to apply for an immersion program that will see four successful applications travel to China.
There, they will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Ningxia to gain first-hand exposure to Chinese viticulture and winemaking.
Visits to Treasury Wine Estates’ Stone & Moon Winery, Ningxia’s Greatwall Chateau Terroir, Changyu Longyu Estate and Yuanshi Vineyard are on the itinerary.
AGW chief executive Lee McLean said the program backs the next generation of winemaking talent by building cross-cultural understanding, technical expertise, and enduring relationships.
Applications are now open and close on Monday, 9 September. For more information, head here.
New program to support SA wine businesses
The South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) has developed a new program tailored for small and family wine businesses to equip them with financial, digital and storytelling skills.
The program will consist of workshops and mentoring sessions, and has been designed based on industry feedback.
“We know the pressure on small and family wine businesses is intense, with market pressures, evolving consumer preferences and a transformed digital marketplace creating major challenges,” SAWIA chief executive Inca Lee said.
“Participants will work closely with experts to develop tailored action plans that align with their specific business goals and target markets.
“This hands-on support will ensure businesses can effectively apply the strategies learned to drive wine sales and long-term business sustainability.”
Businesses can register their interest now by emailing [email protected].
Bottle Shock throws down the gauntlet
Adelaide Hills wine bar Bottle Shock is looking for South Australia’s best wine taster.
The new $5k Big Blind competition will challenge palates across three elimination rounds, with a $5000 cash prize for the winner.
The team will distribute 50,000 flyers across Adelaide which serve as an entry pass to round one where participants will have to identify a single South Australian blind drop.
Head sommelier Simon Dacey said the team “wanted to take the fun of our YouTube channel and challenge the community to do it better than us”.
“In a tough market, we think it’s important to make some positive noise. This is for any enthusiastic amateur out there just as much as it is for the seasoned sommeliers who have dedicated their lives to the craft.
“When it comes to blind tasting, even the most novice taster has a chance at winning.”
Find out more here.
