News & Events

EcoGrowers set to start planting as EcoVineyard project gets underway

It’s exciting times ahead as we finalise the successful wine grape growers across the state selected to be the inaugural EcoGrowers as part of our 2-year EcoVineyard project.

​The response from growers to this project has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s evident there is significant interest from SA wine grape growers to investigate ways to create better biodiverse ecosystems in and around their vineyards.

Response from industry to ABC Four Corners report on the Murray Darling Basin

The recent ABC Four Corners program 'Cash Splash' has ignited debate over the Murray Darling Basin plan. Many different stakeholders have written detailed responses to the program which many argue has portrayed an unbalanced view of the plan. 

As part of WGCSA's membership of Primary Producers SA we have a Natural Resources Management liaison. She has put together a detailed collection of the articles and letters written in response to the Four Corners report.

ACCC starts the conversation we have to have if we're going to improve our industry

A presentation from ACCC Deputy Chairman Mick Keogh at the 2019 Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference started so many conversations around me that it's obvious that the topic of contract terms is a hot issue at the moment. 

During his presentation, Mick Keough took aim at contract terms. Darren Gray reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, 'Mr Keogh urged those in the audience who thought extended payment terms were justified, to consider the somewhat radical "proposal" he outlined.

SAWIA presents an Employee Relations Conference for the wine industry. 

Proudly presented by the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA), the 2019 Employee Relations Conference will cover the latest developments of interest for all human resource managers/professionals and managers/leaders of people within the wine industry.

This conference is a rare opportunity to listen to and interact with leading professionals and experts and network with other wine industry professionals. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided, along with door prizes for some lucky attendees.

Australian 2019 vintage crushes predictions

The Australian winegrape crush for 2019 is estimated to be 1.73 million tonnes, just one per cent below the 10-year average, according to the National Vintage Report 2019 released today by Wine Australia.

This figure is well above early predictions that the harvest would be 10–20 per cent down on the 2018 vintage.

Click the button below to read more on the Wine Australia website. ​

Using contractors? Things have changed - Is your business prepared?

From 31 August 2019,  labour hire providers (including vineyard contracting providers, picking and pruning gangs) must be licensed under the South Australian Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 when performing "labour hire services". 

The South Australian Wine Industry Association are running a number of briefings across the state to help the wine industry prepare.

News Archive

Labour Hire and Contractor Licensing Law set to commence​
Mary Retallack announces WGCSA EcoVineyards project​
Free Fit4Work resources available for growers to download
Growers set to benefit with EcoVineyards project
Growers now partners in Australian Grape and Wine
Discover the drought support available for growers at free events across SA
Register for free Fit4Work workshops for vineyard workers
​Millipedes - An unwanted visitor in vineyards
SAWIA Notice - Repealing the Labour Hire Licensing Act
Grape sunscreen helping SA growers fight extreme conditions​
Meet viticulture expert Mary Retallack
Australia’s grape and wine producers unite
Loxton Fruit Fly outbreak - Movement conditions for grapes
Zero tolerance against fruit fly at Yamba
Free Chain of Responsibility workshops for WGCSA members
AV and WFA amalgamate to form Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated
SAWIA Notice - Implications of employing casual workers
2018 Annual General Meeting
Growers from across the state provide valuable insights for the future
ACCC commences market study into wine grape industry
South Australian Government announces intention to repeal the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017
Industry reform touted to create unity and strengthen representation​
Farm sector welcomes State Budget commitments but seeks R&D investment
Grape prices rise 4% across South Australia in Vintage 2018
Proposed changes to the SA Grape Grower Industry Fund
Roadshow wrap up and member registration details
Wage increase in award rates for the Wine Industry Award
How did the 2018 harvest go for grape growers across South Australia?
Labour hire licensing postponed to February 2019
Seasonal Climate Outlook from the Bureau of Meterology
Improving road transport for primary production - Update
​2018 'a cracker of a year' for South Australian wine
Draft National Alcohol Strategy puts wine and grape industry at risk​
WGCSA Election Policy: A 10 Point Plan for the Wine Industry
Labour hire licensing update
Delivery Despatch books - Order now!
Primary Producers and the Heavy Vehicle National Law
New labour hire licensing laws to commence
Biosecurity Alert - Brown marmorated stink bug detected 
Applications open for $10m of international wine tourism grants
A new and exciting direction for WHS & IR services for WGCSA members
Changes to permit processing in South Australia
Labour Hire Bill 2017: Implications for the Wine Industry
Increase to award rates applicable July 1
Key new appointment for grape growers
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