Technical Information

One of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s roles is to grow and protect Western Australia’s agriculture and food sector.

DBCA brings together the Parks and Wildlife Service, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Zoological Parks Authority, Rottnest Island Authority, Conservation and Parks Commission, Swan River Trust and Biodiversity and Conservation Science.

Wine Australia for Australian Wine supports a competitive wine sector by investing in research, development and extension (RD&A), growing domestic and international markets and protecting the reputation of Australian wine.

Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated (Australian Grape & Wine) is Australia’s national association of winegrape and wine producers. We provide leadership, strategy, advocacy and support that serves Australian grape and wine businesses now and into the future.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is Australia’s national program for grapegrowers and winemakers to demonstrate and continuously improve their sustainability in the vineyard and winery through the environmental, social and economic aspects of their businesses.

DPIRD’s network of automatic weather stations and radars throughout the state provide timely, relevant and local weather data to assist growers and regional communities make more-informed decisions.

As a Wines of WA member you also benefit from membership with CCIWA, giving you discounted rates to exclusive networking events, training seminars and workshops, legal advice and HR resources and support to help your business thrive.

Australia Post best practice packaging solutions video, supporting better outcomes in freight for the wine community.

Ruth Curran is the Account Manager for the Wines of WA freight contract. Here is a video outlining common issues and solutions to help get your wine to its destination quickly and in tact.

ERAC can help you manage your employee relations needs with prompt advice on your circumstances, consulting, documents such as kits and guides and up to date industrial relations information. As a member, you have unlimited access to ERAC.

This publication is for Employee/ worker and Employer. This FAQ sheet provides information on the safety issues within the wine industry.

This Code of Conduct for Australian Winegrape Purchases (Code) has been developed for the Australian wine
sector by Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated (AGW) and its Code Management Committee (Committee), a
committee with equal representation of winemakers and grape growers.

DrinkWise recognises the importance of industry providing consumers with information about alcohol content and health messages about responsible drinking, so they can make informed choices about their own alcohol consumption.

Wines of WA continues to oppose the inclusion of wine bottles in the WA CDS. It is important that all WA producers communicate the negative impact the CDS will have your business to the WA state government targeting in particular, Minister for Environment Reece Whitby and your local Member. Please use the resources below.

Letter template here

State Lower House Representatives

When vineyards have been exposed to smoke, this can result in wines with undesirable sensory characters, such as smoky, burnt, ashy or medicinal, often described as ‘smoke tainted’. To assess whether a product has a perceptible smoke character, a sensory panel rates the intensity of smoke aroma and flavour in wines. The results are analysed in comparison to a control sample to determine if the results are statistically significant.

When vineyards and grapes are exposed to smoke this can result in wines with undesirable sensory characters, such as smoky, burnt, ashy or medicinal, usually described as ‘smoke tainted’. Consumers have been shown to respond negatively to smoke tainted wines.

A changing climate and increased competition for scarce water resources means the Western Australian agriculture sector must adapt to reduced water availability. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is supporting the sector through innovative research and management strategies to identify new water resources, and sustain the quality and efficient use of available water resources.

Soil quality, in a viticultural context, can be thought of as the soil’s ability to support grapevine growth and the production of a crop (with consideration to both yield and
quality) without resulting in soil degradation or harm to the environment.

Nutrition is a cost-sensitive issue in vineyards. In recent years urea has increased in price by about 50% while diammonium phosphate (DAP) has increased by about 80% (Hoare 2008).
Importantly, prices are likely to continue increasing as world demand exceeds supply.
However, nutrition remains an important part of managing a vineyard since it impacts on vine growth, crop yield, berry composition and ultimately, 

Garden weevil (Phlyctinus callosus) was accidentally introduced into Western Australia from South Africa. This weevil is now a severe pest of grapevines, deciduous fruit and other horticultural crops. Adults feed on any soft plant tissue, and the soil-borne larvae feed on roots.

The performance of alternative variety wine grapes is continuing to be evaluated with a new trial block established near Wokalup within the Geographe wine region. After a decade of evaluating 18 alternative varieties in Manjimup, this new block will give researchers and industry alike a new perspective of how these varieties (plus new inclusions) perform in a warmer and drier climate.

As part of your membership with Wines of WA you also benefit from a membership with CCIWA (state not regional). This includes access to networking events, seminars and workshops at member rates, discounted legal advice and business support.

Wine Australia – Research and Innovation supports the continued innovation and competitiveness of Australia’s grapegrowers, winemakers and Australian wine businesses.

As part of your membership with Wines of WA you also benefit from a membership with CCIWA (state not regional). This includes access to networking events, seminars and workshops at member rates, discounted legal advice and business support.

Wine Australia – Research and Innovation supports the continued innovation and competitiveness of Australia’s grapegrowers, winemakers and Australian wine businesses.

Sclerotinia shoot rot is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. It was recorded in WA vineyards many years ago but only appears sporadically when rainfall and cool weather occur in early spring. Little is known about the life cycle of the disease in vineyards.

Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaV) are a significant problem for grape growing regions worldwide. GLRaV is an issue for both wine and table grapes as it causes yield loss (up to 50%) and delayed or variable ripening, impacting on timing of harvest and grape quality.