Future events
Alternative varieties tasting – Margaret River
During the 2017/18 season the department 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 this season to collect viticultural data and make wine from 17 different varieties.
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 Richard Fennessy to taste 18 wines and hear how the varieties performed. Some of the varieties to be tasted include Fiano, Vermentino, Scheurebe, Lagrein, Saperavi, Dolcetto, Montepulciano and Graciano.
When: 2.30 – 4.30pm Tuesday, 22 January 2019
Where: Sensory Lab, Margaret River Education Campus, Bussell Hwy, Margaret River
Cost: Free
Registration: Spaces are limited to venue capacity, RSVP to Richard Fennessy by 18 January.
Kick the Dirt Viti
Kick the Dirt Viti meetings are casual and practical in nature and provide an opportunity for Margaret River viticulturists and grape growers to discuss technical issues, exchange information and view innovative practices in a professional and social context. Steve Martin (Stella Bella Wines) has kindly offered to host the next meeting.
Topic: Unusual symptoms seen on vines this season, including an update on trunk diseases (Andrew Taylor from DPIRD).
Date: 23 January 2019
Venue: Stella Bella Wines Vineyard office (191 Gnarawary Road, Margaret River)
Time: 9.00 – 11.00am.
Participants are encouraged to raise any other issues of interest or concern.
Morning tea/coffee will be provided.
Alternative variety field walk
Approximately 80% of WA’s wine grape production comprises 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.
DPIRD and collaborating partners invites you to inspect the performance of 22 varieties and discuss their suitability to WA growing conditions. There will also be trial wines produced from a number of these varieties available to taste.
The format of the field walk is an “open house”, drop in at any time during this period and make your own way through the block inspecting the performance of the vines at your leisure. Information on the background and characteristics of each of the varieties will also be available.
When: Wednesday 30 January 2019
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, +61 (0)8 9780 6219.
Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference and Trade Exhibition
The 17th AWITC will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre 21-24 July 2019. This event will incorporate the Outlook Conference in partnership with the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia, feature the WineTech trade exhibition in collaboration with the Wine Industry Suppliers Association and Fair Events, and partner with the McWilliam’s Maurice O’Shea Award Dinner. Program details will be added to this site as they become available.
Registration is scheduled to open in February 2019.
Date: 21 - 24 July 2019
Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide.
Details regarding the program and registration can be found at www.awitc.com.au.