The Grapevine: Wine industry updates from South Australia
In this edition of The Grapevine: wine awards galore and new warning for the industry. Plus the latest wine industry events.
- SA wine industry celebrated
- Wine industry rebound warnings
- Taylors reveals its 2025 Family Flagship release
- Sidewood’s Chardonnays shine at international awards
- Winners revealed for the 2025 Marananga Wine Show
- Festival-exclusive collaborations form at Grenache & Gourmet
SA wine industry celebrated
The likes of Kaesler Wines, Hill-Smith Family Estates and Vinarchy won top awards at the South Australian Wine Industry Association’s Excellence Awards last night.
At the annual dinner, which highlighted the industry’s positive impact on the state’s economy and culture, businesses and individuals were recognised for their commitment to sustainability and work health & safety.
SAWIA president Kirsty Balnaves said the dinner was a powerful reminder of the industry’s strength and purpose.
“Our grape and wine industry in South Australia is a world leader, and it’s important to come together to recognise this, especially given the current challenges,” she said.
“Our growers and winemakers continue to set the standard for global excellence in viticulture, winemaking and wine tourism.”
Award winners:
2025 SAWIA Environment Excellence Awards
- Small to Medium Business, sponsored by Export Finance Australia: Kaesler Wines – recognised for regenerative vineyard practices and refrigeration innovations that have halved winery electricity use.
- Large Business, sponsored by Green Industries SA: Hill-Smith Family Estates – honoured for long-term sustainability initiatives, major revegetation projects, and international climate action leadership.
- Individual Champion, sponsored by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions: Jessica Williams, Kingston Estate Wines – commended for her leadership in Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification and community collaborations.
2025 SAWIA Work Health & Safety Excellence Awards
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- Large Business, sponsored by the National Wine Education & Training Centre: Vinarchy – awarded for its Handle with Care program, which reframed safety as care and achieved dramatic reductions in workplace injuries.
- Individual Champion, sponsored by the National Wine Education & Training Centre: Chris Albanos, Kingston Estate Wines – recognised for championing workplace safety beyond his formal role, and engaging colleagues with practical solutions.
Vinehealth Australia Biosecurity Champion Award: Craig Markby, Henschke Wines – celebrated for his biosecurity leadership at Henschke’s Lenswood vineyard, implementing rigorous hygiene practices and industry training to protect South Australian vines from pest and disease threats.
Wine industry rebound warnings
Despite showing signs of recovery after a tough decade, the Australian wine industry’s rebound remains “fragile and uneven”, per new ANZ research.
The Agri InFocus report found wine exports rose by 13 per cent in value in the year to June 2025, driven largely by renewed trade with mainland China – a market “far smaller than it once was” according to ANZ executive director of agribusiness Michael Whitehead.
“Meaning the sector cannot rely on China alone to secure its future,” he said.
Beyond China, performance varies including US exports falling to a two-decade low while in Canada export value rose 7 per cent.
Global conditions are also challenging, Whitehead said, with world wine consumption falling to a 63-year low in the financial year.
“The future lies in diversification, premiumisaition and adapting to new drinking habits,” he said.
“This includes a stronger focus on whites, sparkling and premium wines, alongside emerging markets.”
Taylors reveals its 2025 Family Flagship release
The Taylors 2025 Family Flagship is an encapsulation of the Clare Valley-based winery’s all-time great vintages.
The collection showcases its dedication to technical winemaking, terroir expression and regional exploration, the company said.
The collection features 12 wines spanning six vintages from 2018 to 2023, including three of Taylors’ pinnacle wines: The Pioneer Shiraz 2019 ($220), The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($220) and The Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ($1000).
New packaging is another highlight of The Legacy, which sees the bottle houses in a travel-friendly size with a rhodium-plated badge, certificate of authenticity and a vintage-specified polished metal coaster.
“The 2025 Family Flagship Release is a celebration of our finest winemaking here at Taylors and an exploration of Australia’s top winemaking regions including our home here in the Clare Valley,” Taylors chief winemaker Adam Eggins said.
Stay informed, daily
The Family Flagship release wines are available from select wine retailers, Taylors Clare Valley cellar door and online.
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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. Finlaysons Wine Roadshow – The Grape Re-Set: The 2025 seminar theme, The Grape Re-Set: Buying and Selling Vineyards & Wineries, tackles a timely topic for the industry. The Australian wine sector is in the midst of a “grape re-set.” A high volume of wineries and vineyards are on the market—some due to financial stress, others through retirement or succession planning—while stronger players see opportunity to expand by acquiring quality assets. If you want to be a player in this process, this seminar is for you. Experts from Finlaysons, Australian Grape & Wine, Wine Australia and KPMG will share practical insights to help buyers and sellers navigate transactions, maximise value, and avoid costly pitfalls. South Australian Dates & Venues: Details & Tickets: https://www.finlaysons.com.au/wrs33/ |
Sidewood’s Chardonnays shine at international awards
Sidewood Estate claimed honours at the 2025 International Cool Climate Wine Show, securing two awards.
It marks a historic second consecutive year at the top of the ICCWS, following last year’s Best Wine in Show Trophy for the 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay.
This year, Sidewood won Best White Wine in Show for its 2024 Mappinga Chardonnay and won Gold for its 2024 Owe’s Chardonnay.
Winners revealed for the 2025 Marananga Wine Show
Wines from the Barossa’s Western Ridge were put under the spotlight at the 22nd Marananga Wine Show.
The event was created by the Gnadnfrei Lutheran Church to champion the local wine industry.
This year, a sold-out public tasting event was the centrepiece of the Show, with judging held at the Gnadenfrei Church hall, near Seppeltsfield Road’s iconic avenue of palm trees.
118 wines were entered from 38 producers, with chair of judges Tim Doland noting “it was a genuine pleasure to assess wines from this unique subregion and to observe how growers and winemakers responded to the challenges for the 2024 season”.
The People’s Choice trophy was awarded to Elk Wines for the 2024 ‘The Stag’ Stonewell Shiraz, which also took out the trophy for Best Shiraz 2024 or younger.
Tscharke Wines were presented the trophy for Best Wine of Show for the 2024 A thing of beauty Grenache, which was the trophy winner for Best Grenache.
Laughing Jack Wines were announced as Best Exhibitor of Show, with trophies for Best White Wine and Best Cabernet Sauvignon.
Murray Street Vineyards received trophies for Best Dry Red Blend, Best Shiraz 2023 and Best Shiraz 2022 or older.
Other trophy recipients were Seppeltsfield Wines for Best Rosé, Hentley Farm for Best Grenache Dominant Blend and The Cutting for Best Other Red Varietal with their Cinsault.
Festival-exclusive collaborations form at Grenache & Gourmet
One-off experiences crafted via partnerships between McLaren Vale wine producers are a highlight of the upcoming Grenache & Gourmet 2025 festival.
Festival exclusive collaborations include The Grenache Collective at Gemtree Wines, where sx producers will showcase their top Grenaches including Penny’s Hill, Gemtree, Larnook, Paralian, Willunga 100 and Ministry of Clouds.
On International Grenache Day – September 19 – enjoy grenache wines from Nick Haselgrove Wines with Sookii La La gyoza dumplings.
For the full lineup head to www.grenacheandgourmet.com.au.
