Grapes & wine

Western Australia is a notable fine wine producer. Grapes grow in diverse areas of the South West including Margaret River, the Swan Valley, Great Southern, Pemberton, Manjimup, Geographe, Blackwood Valley, Peel and Perth Hills.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development works closely to support industry and sponsors a trophy for the best regional wine at the prestigious Qantas Wine Show.

WA represents just 5% of Australian production but more than 20% of national fine wines. Exports are growing and China is an important market. 

Table grapes are grown from Carnarvon to the south-west and seedless varieties are most popular.

Articles

  • Two mealybug species, the longtailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus), and obscure mealybug (Pseudococcus viburni) occur in grapevines and deciduous fruit tree crops in Western

  • Glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) is a sucking leafhopper known to be a vector to bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes various serious plant diseases.

  • The European earwig (Forficula auricularia) is native to Europe and has been in Australia from the mid-1850s.

  • The common auger beetle, Xylopsocus gibbicollis, is a native insect that attacks grapevines in the South-West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia.

  • Apple looper (Phrissogonus laticostata) is a native insect that damages fruit in apple orchards and vineyards in the South West of Western Australia.

  • African black beetle (Heteronychus arator), is native to southern Africa. It has been present in Western Australia since the 1930s and occurs in the wetter coastal regions.

  • Garden weevil (Phlyctinus callosus) was accidentally introduced into Western Australia from South Africa.

  • Grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, is a major pest in all grape growing countries around the world.