Organic
COMES OF AGE IN AUSTRALIAN WINE INDUSTRY CELEBRATING THE AUSTRALIAN ORGANIC WINE AWARDS 2020
Australia’s organic wine industry has recorded a surprise increase in exports, despite the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 and the damaging trade dispute with China. The $1.1 billion industry has been devastated by disruptions to key supply chains due to the pandemic and the imposition of huge Chinese tariffs, yet organic exports stand out as a major success story for the Australian wine sector. Wine Australia research showed organic exports increased by 9% in 2020 to 257,470 9-litre case equivalents, which contributed to the combined organic and biodynamic export value of $16 million. The significant growth, despite great uncertainty in the global market, indicates the organic sector is on course to become a powerhouse of the wine scene, as it continues to increase production and build a reputation for taste and quality, both with consumers and experts. Renowned wine writer, Josh Martin, who was the associate judge for this year’s Australian Organic Wine Awards, predicts organic drops will soon become the wine industry’s leading labels. Well-regarded brands including Stefano Lubiana, Angove, Tamburlaine Wines and Gemtree have become favourites with consumers, not just for their certification status, but also their flavour. Mr Martin said certified labels reaching the price of $500 a bottle, like Cullen Wine’s top Cabernet Sauvignon, was a significant milestone in the trajectory of the industry.
drops could not be overlooked as a key consumer driver. “Viticulturalists and winemakers dedicated to organic and biodynamic practices are enhancing soils and, in turn, the quality of the grapes are improving,” he said. “It means better wines for consumers - I have never understood why people would not want to drink a wine free from chemicals and pesticides. It’s an easy decision to make.” The Australian Organic Wine Awards 2020 was hosted by Australian Organic Limited and judged by Ramon Arnavas, Ken Gargett and Alex McPherson. The awards were open to any certified organic vintner in Australia and received 120 entries in total. Stefano Lubiana Wines’ 2018 Estate Chardonnay took out the Cullen Trophy Wine of Show while the Red category was awarded to Victorian producers, brothers Michael and Tony Lee, from Foxeys Hangout, for their 2019 Pinot Noir. “There are so many wineries producing stunning, fantastic wines so it was good to take a breath and assess them and celebrate the great wines that are around,” Mr Martin said. “This is also a reflection of how big the organic wine industry is, as there is an Awards talking specifically to those wines.” While currently a thriving sector, the industry’s pioneers recall the initial slow adoption of organic practices.
“Organic wines are competing with their mainstream contemporaries and winning, I see them becoming the industry leading wine within the next 5 to 10 years,” Mr Martin said. Mr Martin said health and environmentally conscious consumers, and the rise of organic boutiques that promote certified ingredients, were contributing to the growth of the sector. Internationally, Wine Australia data highlights Sweden as Australia’s largest market for certified organic wines, making up 35% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada. While the environmental footprint of wine was a drawcard for buyers, Mr Martin said the taste of organic 14
INDUSTRY AUSTRALIAN ORGANIC CONNECT
Founder of online retailer Organic Wine in 2002, Michelle Gadd, said organic wine was no longer a ‘niche’ product
