Future events
Alternative variety field walk
Approximately 80% of Western Australia’s wine grape production is comprised of five varietals.
Reliance on a small collection of varietals presents certain challenges, especially in terms of adapting to a changing climate and market trends.
Varietal selection is one tool available to address these challenges.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and collaborating partners invite you to inspect the performance of 22 varieties and discuss their suitability to WA growing conditions.
Information will be available on the background and characteristics of each of these varieties and a selection of trial wines produced will be available to taste.
The field walk is an ‘open house’, where you can make your own way through the block inspecting the performance of the vines at your leisure.
| When: | January 2018 (date to be confirmed) |
| Where: | WA College of Agriculture – Harvey, Mornington Rd, Wokalup WA 6221 |
| Cost: | Free to WA wine and grape producers |
| RSVP: | Please register your interest in attending by contacting Richard Fennessy, Research Officer +61 (0)8 9780 6219. |
Alternative varieties' tasting – Margaret River
During the 2016/17 season the Department or Primary Industries and Regional Development has been undertaking an evaluation and demonstration of a collection of alternative varieties grown at the WA College of Agriculture – Harvey.
Funding made available through the Wine Australia Regional Program has enabled researchers to collect viticultural data and make wine from 13 different varieties this season.
Utilising commercial techniques (i.e. yeast selection, oak, fermentation temperature, skin contact etc.) on small scale volumes, these wines enable producers to gain insight into their characteristics and suitability to local conditions.
Join Research Officer Richard Fennessy to taste 15 wines (some varieties have been made in multiple styles) and hear how the varieties performed.
Some of the varieties to be tasted include Grüner Veltliner, Vermentino, Saperavi, Dolcetto and Graciano.
| When: | 3.00 – 5.00pm Tuesday, 23 January 2018 |
| Where: | Sensory Lab, Margaret River Education Campus, Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Registration: | Spaces are limited to venue capacity, RSVP to Richard Fennessy, Research Officer on +61 (0)8 97 80 6219 by 17 January 2018. |