Wine Study important to industry future

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 18.08.08

NORTH East vignerons have welcomed a State Government grant of $67,200 to fund a comprehensive study into the industry.

Announcing the grant last week, Regional and Rural Development Minister, Jacinta Allan, said the funding would help the Victorian Wine Industry Association conduct research to assist the industry plan for future growth.

Association committee member and Rutherglen winemaker, Colin Campbell, was pleased with the announcement and said, to his knowledge, this was the first time the entire industry would be studied in detail.

"Our industry is certainly facing some challenges at the moment, so this study is very timely indeed," he said.

"And the wine industry is extremely important for tourism in the state, so we need to be able to continue to grow and develop."

Sam Miranda, of Sam Miranda of King Valley, also welcomed the grant and said he was pleased the study would examine the industry "right the way through".

"It is a complex industry, with growing, making and marketing all involved, and it is probably unique among all other agricultural and horticultural industries.

"We’ve had drought and fires affecting one end of the industry, and supermarkets getting involved at the pointy end, so this study will be able to get a handle on the whole process," he said.

Victoria’s wine industry is a key contributor to the state’s economy with an annual turnover of about $1.3 billion and more than $650 million worth of wine exports in 2006.

According to Ms Allan, the importance to Victoria’s economy of the industry cannot be understated.

"There are more than 3000 growers, over 850 wineries and 650 cellar doors across Victoria’s 21 wine regions, and this study will provide valuable information on aspects such as the drought, skills shortages and climate change, and help it plan for the future," she said.

The $67,200 grant provided to the industry comes via the Food Industry for a Regionally Sustainable Tomorrow (FIRST) program.