“Quicklook” Assessment of Greater Adelaide's Assets & Challenges ...

Interview Team
• Cristiane Gattaz
• Cheri Kirby
• Bill Minter
• Eddy Trevino
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WINE INDUSTRY
Who we met with
The team conducted an interview session at the National Wine Centre on Monday
afternoon the 9 th of July. Linda Bowes, Executive Director of the South Australia Wine &
Brandy Association, was our moderator. Peter Wall of Yalumba Wine Company
represented the perspective of the wine companies, and David Hall from Grape & Wine
Research & Development Corporation reported on the use of technology by the industry.
Bill Renshaw represented the Wine Industry Suppliers Association.
Opportunities
The wine industry in South Australia is often referred to as one of the most successful
examples of an industry cluster. There is a history of working together going back to the
very beginnings of viticulture in Australia, when growers banded together to import
cuttings from other continents.
Industry cooperation and aggressive implementation of technology are mentioned as
early drivers for the industry’s success in the past 15 years. Well-conceived plans have
been formulated, monitored and frequently updated. Today, the wine industry accounts
for the highest value of exports from South Australia and employs over 12,000 people
and accounts for over 70% of the total national production.
• Continue the growth and global competitiveness that have become the industry’s
hallmark. The Australian Wine Foundation’s 2025 Strategy 2025 plan has been
updated and extended to project the additional growing area, water, processing,
storage and people resources that will be necessary to achieve a 6.5% of the
world market by 2025. The targets set when the plan was set in motion in 1995
have been met.
• Leverage the considerable R&D efforts of the industry. Lower the costs of
harvesting, distribution and irrigation. Find ways to accelerate the R&D by working
with the biotech and university sectors. Take steps to protect and extend the
intellectual property the industry now has, so it can be defended later if
necessary.
• Stimulate the adoption of technology developed within Australia by increasing
funding to the CRC and create a technology transfer department for capitalizing
on the non-industry related techniques that are developed.
• Be prepared for genetically modified viticulture if market acceptance appears
imminent. Participate in the education of the consumer when genetically modified
viticulture becomes a need.
• Develop a centralized database of IP, protective actions from other governments,
news and international issues that would affect the industry. The industry needs to
disseminate the information to its members more quickly and reduce the risk of
not responding to uncertainties. Examples include infrastructure, legal changes,
cultural economic, political and social changes and a plan for rapid response to
threats.
COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
126