Latest 2025 Updates
The news at a glance
- Message from our General Manager
- Supporting Sustainability in Riverland Wine Industry
- Free Event - Filling Your Silo - Navigating Tough Seasons
- Water Forum - Event
- Overland Corner Wine, Beer, Spirit & Smallgoods Festival
- 53rd Riverland Wine Show - Gala Dinner
- Stop and Smell the Rosé Seminar
- Great Wine Capitals Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program
- Riverland Small Business Week 2025+
- Sustainable Communities Program
- Finlaysons Wine Roadshow 33
- Explore Market Opportunities in Hong Kong
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Dear Members,
I am very pleased to announce the launch of our updated website, featuring a dedicated Members Hub designed to provide easier access to resources, updates, and support tools tailored to your needs.
This is part of our ongoing commitment to improve communication and transparency, while navigating the complex challenges facing our industry.
Last month, I met with Minister Scriven to discuss the urgent pressures confronting Riverland growers. It was a sobering conversation. The Minister made it unequivocally clear that there will be no vine-pull or exit support forthcoming from either the state or federal governments.
Furthermore, there will be no assistance for the sustainable clearing of blocks, despite the environmental and socio-economic risks this poses.
In light of this, Riverland Wine continues to urge members to make balanced, informed decisions heading into Vintage 2025, while we continue to advocate for more targeted support to help rest vineyards, manage escalating input costs and transition to alternative crops where appropriate.
Feedback from our members also suggests RICS loans are not being utilised due to their unsuitable criteria for inland growers. With this in mind we are also strongly advocating for low interest loans or subsidies to enable growers to diversify and adapt sustainably.
According to Wine Australia's vintage dashboard, the total crush value for the Riverland in Vintage 2025 was $124, 698, 986 (million) and we make up almost 28% of all grapes crushed in Australia. These are big numbers that can't be ignored.
One of the biggest priorities of Riverland Wine is to ensure this region doesn't go unnoticed for its huge contribution to the wine industry and in turn the national economy.
Our significant stake in this industry means we will remain committed to representing your interests and continue to push for meaningful, practical solutions for the Riverland wine sector.
On a brighter note, there are several exciting local wine industry events coming up, proudly supported by Riverland Wine:
- Overland Corner Hotel Beer, Wine & Spirit Festival - Saturday, 30 August
- Riverland Wine Show Gala Dinner - Wednesday, 17 September
- Ricca Terra ‘Stop and Smell the Rosé’ Wine Seminar - Wednesday 15 October
These events are a great opportunity to connect, celebrate our region’s resilience, and showcase the innovation and quality that define Riverland wine.
Please visit the new Members Hub and follow us on Facebook to stay informed and engaged.
Cheers
Alex Cannon-Leyson, General Manager |
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🌿 Supporting Sustainability in our Riverland Wine Industry
New Resources + Critical Deadlines + Certification Updates
As global markets and consumers increasingly demand transparency and sustainable practices, Riverland Wine is taking a long-view approach to ensure our region remains competitive, credible, and future-ready.
📘 New Tools to Strengthen Your Sustainability Journey
Wine Australia has launched two free online guides tailored for small and medium-sized grape and wine businesses:
🔹 Sustainability Strategy and Reporting Guide
Helps businesses meet regulatory requirements, respond to retailer requests, and improve transparency. It aligns with the SWA workbook framework and supports preparation for the three-year re-certification process under the Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice (AWISSP).
🔹 Sustainability Communications Guide
Provides practical strategies to communicate sustainability goals, actions, and achievements with stakeholders. A valuable tool for building trust and demonstrating commitment.
Together, these guides offer a strong foundation for reporting, communicating, and validating sustainability efforts with confidence.
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📅 Critical Dates to Remember
August 31, 2025
🔸 SWA Workbook Data Reporting Deadline
All SWA members must submit their annual workbooks to remain in the program, contribute to benchmarking, and maintain certification status.
September 14, 2025
🔸 SWA Membership Registration Renewal
🔸 Freshcare AWISSP Certification Training Deadline
To supply Qualified Grapes🍇 for Vintage 2026, certified membership is required. If you're not yet certified, you must:
1. Renew your SWA membership
2. Complete Freshcare AWISSP training
3. Book and prepare for your initial audit before harvest 2026
September 19, 2025
🔸 Final Date for Certification Transfers from NCO
NASAA Certified Organic (NCO) has ceased trading. If you were certified through NCO, you must transfer to another certification body before your certificate expires or by Sept 19 (whichever comes first).
‼️ Failure to transfer will invalidate your certificate and require a full initial or re-certification audit.
👇Support
Leah Heinrich – Grower Engagement Officer, Riverland Wine
leahh@riverlandwine.com.au | 0418 813 955
AWRI Helpdesk: 08 8313 6600 | helpdesk@awri.com.au
Freshcare Support: 02 8039 9999 | support@freshcare.com.au
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Upcoming Industry Event 🍷
Hosted by Riverland Winegrape Growers Association
GROWERS MEET & GREET
💫 meet the Riverland Wine Team and Board Members💫
Waikerie Riverfront Community Hub
Thursday 25th September 5:30-7:30pm
Nibbles and some drinks provided 🍷
More information and registrations to come .... |
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👇This FRIDAY, 29th August 👇
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🍷2025 Riverland Wine Show - 53rd Annual Awards Gala Dinner
Wednesday 17th September 2025
🍷Tasting Commences 5.00pm
🍡Canapes in the Tasting Area from 6.00pm
🍽️Gala Dinner Commences 7.00pm
For Group Bookings: Tables will be MAXIMUM 8 GUESTS
Dress: Semi Formal / Smart casual
Location: Hotel Renmark
Riverland Wine Show Secretary - Amelia Anspach - 0438 391 222 |
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🌿APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN 🌿
🍷Great Wine Capitals
Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program
South Australian wine industry professionals keen to grow their skills and experience abroad are encouraged to apply for the 2025-26 Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program. Applications are open to those with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Tourism
- Sustainability
- Research and academia
- Winemaking
- Viticulture
Bursary recipients will be given the opportunity to travel to one or more Great Wine Capitals of the World to exchange ideas and expand their networks.
During their travels, bursary recipients will:
- Meet with international industry leaders
- Attend events, tours & conferences
- Gather ideas and innovations for application in South Australia
Upon their return, recipients are required to share their insights with the South Australian wine industry to help build capability within the sector and maximise the benefits of the program.
Applications close on Friday 19 September 2025 at 5 pm (ACST).
Above: 2024 bursary recipient Cristobal Onetto in Mendoza, Argentina.
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Riverland Small Business Week 2025
22 - 26 September 🔔
Small Business Week is a unique opportunity for small businesses to step out of the day-to-day grind and invest in their long-term success.
By getting involved, businesses gain access to:
- Practical tools
- Expert advice
- Real-world insights that can help them solve challenges, grow sustainably, and stay competitive.
With flexible formats and regionally accessible events, it's designed to fit into busy schedules—making it a smart, time-efficient way to build capability, connect with peers, and discover support that can make a real difference.
Sessions include:
- Business Banters, Beers and Bubbles
- Empowering Leaders for Regional Growth
- Mastering Cash Flow: Support for Financial Sustainability
- Diversify and Thrive: New Products and Customer Experiences
- Building our Region's Skilled Workforce
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Sustainable Communities Program
The South Australian Sustainable Communities Program provides $20 million to mitigate the social and economic impacts of water recovery 💦 in River Murray communities. The funding is for direct in-place investment in priority projects that are identified and co-designed with community.
Projects will include those that aim to:
🚜retain and create new jobs
🌱establish new industries
🍇support existing industries to diversify and value add |
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Finlaysons Wine Roadshow 33
Monday, 24 November
Renmark Club Inc.
Whether you are looking to exit, expand or invest, this session is designed to give you practical take-aways to help you make informed decisions, maximise value, avoid common pitfalls and seize the opportunities that the current challenging wine sector presents.
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Explore Market Opportunities in Hong Kong
Join an exclusive seminar featuring Alice Jim, Senior Business Development Manager – Hong Kong, as she provides invaluable insights into one of Asia’s most influential trade hubs. Gain first-hand knowledge of Hong Kong’s consumer preferences, distribution channels, and emerging trends in wine, beverages, and food.
Whether you’re already exporting, export ready, or just curious, this session is designed to inform and inspire. A special export readiness workshop will follow for new exporters, led by the TradeStart Team.
🗓 Wednesday, 3 September 2025
🕥 10:15am arrival | 10:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Level 18, 11 Waymouth Street, Adelaide
📅 Register by COB 29 August 2025
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