Update
In this newsletter you will find:
WoR Event Census COMING SOON - Septemeber 30th DUE no later than October 23rd
Vintage Data Reminder : please send through a copy or fill out the attached if not submitted to National Crush Data, Awards, Accolades & Media Coverage: view current WoR records and invite to submit others for inclusion
Next Cellar Door Forum : Scion Wine Wednesday September 25th 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rutherglen in the City - Workshop meeting for any members wanting to be involved : Thursday September 12th 12pm1:30pm.
Spring Wine and Wine Cocktail release : Regional Wine Store
James Suckling Editor, Ryan Montgomery in Rutherglen Sunday September 29th, itinerary and invitations.
Round 6 Wine Tourism, and Cellar Door Grants OPEN
Wine Australia Updates : SWA Renewals due September for 2025 vintage!
Any questions about the update, please reach out.
WOR EVENT CENSUS
The time of year is nearing where we launch our annual major in region event census.
The survey will capture all event information for wineries for the 2025 event calendar year with Tastes of Rutherglen, Roam Rutherglen & Dark Side of Wine.
Please start thinking of what you will be doing at your winery for Tastes of Rutherglen (finalising details) and the brief/basic details of Roam and Dark Side 2025. (able to edit slightly until end of Jan)
Event Census will be sent to members by September 30th and be due NO LATER than October 23rd.
2024 VINTAGE DATA COLLECTION
Back at the end of May wineries were asked to submit their vintage crush data to the National Vintage Crush Survey, 2024. A copy was to be sent to WoR to ensure, no double ups of information was required .
Vintage data helps our collective group of members in grant funding application, provide holistic WoR overviews and track the impact/growth of WoR wineries over time.
Thank you to the following wineries for sending through their national crush survey
Anderson Winery
Cofield Wines
Pfeiffer Wines
Lake Moodemere Estate
For those that may have forgotten, please email your survey through to Kirsty, as soon as you have a moment.
If you did not complete the survey - the template can be found HERE
AWARDS, ACCOLADES & MEDIA REGISTER
WoR as a collective achieve numerous accolades as individual businesses and as a collective region each year. We would love to keep live and accurate record of all the achievements, happenings and media mentions each winery receives.
We have put together the ones we have captured so far and can be viewed HERE
If you have received an accolade note yet mentioned, please fill out the form below and let us know.
Winery Award, Achievement & Media Submission Form
*Please note, this form will remain live and on going through out the year. Make sure to save the link or find it in the weekly newsletter
SEPTEMBER CELLAR DOOR FORUM
Next months cellar door forum is scheduled to be at Scion 5:30pm6:30pm Wednesday September 25th.
An invitation will be in your calendars by the end of the week.
RSVPs will be due by Monday September 23rd of September.
RITC 2025 WINERY INPUT WORKSHOP
As we work through what Rutherglen in the City Melbourne and Canberra looks like for 2025 there are many opportunities to restructure these events to better suit the desired outcomes for members.
We are looking for 4-5 member wineries to join us on Thursday September 12th at 12pm, RWEC to workshop and share your opinion on what these events could look like moving into the future.
A range of options WoR have put together will be tabled to view and discuss.
Discussion topics are but not limited to Single day or Multi Day event
Trade &/OR Consumer focus
Venue locations
Event inclusions/Event elements
Creative event concept ideas
Please email Kirsty on events@winemakers.com.au if you or a member of your team would like to be part of and contribute to this discussion.
REGIONAL WINE STORE UPDATES
SPRING SIPS REGIONAL PACK RELEASE
We are on track to release the WoR Spring release packs this coming Monday 2nd September.
Propel Digital have captured some updated digital content which can be viewed here
Wines available, just as a reminder, can be viewed here
Spring Wine Cocktails that will be share with patrons can be viewed here
Any changes to wines available, please let me know as soon as you get a moment
CHRISTMAS SPARKLING PACKS
As Wineries start to come into Spring/Summer visitation, this is just a friendly reminder that the final regional wine pack, under the drought relief fund to be released is the Christmas Sparkling Pack.
If you would like a sparkling wine included in these packs please submit these here.
WINE VICTORIA
RYANMONTGOMERY,SUNDAYSEPTEMBER 29TH-RUTHERGENFAMILVISIT
James Suckling’s new editor, Ryan Montgomery is coming to Rutherglen Sunday September 29th. The purpose of his visit is a famil of the region. While James Suckling is largely US readers there is also opportunity for more ‘wine region’ focused articles.
All wineries are invited to attend and get involved through out Sunday September 29th.
Agenda as follows: Tasting Location TBC
2:00pm Durif Grid Tasting
4:00pm Muscat of Rutherglen Grid Tasting
6:45pm Winemakers Dinner at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate.
If you would be interested in cohosting the tastings to showcase the region and your own Durif or Muscat to Ryan, please reach out to Kirsty.
All Members are invited to showcase their Durif and MoRs in the grid tastings as well as have someone represent your winery at dinner on Sunday 29th of September.
Submit your wine d h di h
WINE TOURISM AND CELLAR DOOR GRANTS Round 6 Now Open
Wine producers who have met the eligibility criteria in the preceding financial year will be able to access an annual grant of up to $100,000 (GST exclusive) for their eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales. Total funding under the grant program will be capped at $10 million (GST exclusive) each financial year.
Wine and cider producers who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to access an annual grant of up to $100,000 (GST exclusive) for their eligible domestic cellar door sales.
The Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant is available to applicants who meet the following criteria: be a wine or cider producer be a legal entity registered for GST with an active ABN have made at least $1,207,000 (GST exclusive) in sales of rebatable* wine in the 2023–24 financial year have accrued rebatable domestic cellar door sales in excess of any such sales used to meet the $1,207,000 (GST exclusive) threshold in the 2023–24 financial year have paid the WET on all eligible sales used as part of the application have owned or leased a physical cellar door in Australia in the relevant financial year and/or their related entity/ies have owned or leased a physical cellar door in Australia in the relevant financial year, and have a liquor licence valid in the relevant financial year.
*rebatable wine relates to wine or a sale that is eligible for producer rebates as described under Division 19 of A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999.
More information and apply here.
WINE AUSTRALIA UPDATES
Masterclass opportunities in Paris and Singapore
We have two new marketing opportunities for your consideration with State and Regional masterclasses at Vinexpo Paris/Wine Paris 2025 and Vinexpo Asia 2025 (Singapore).
Please see attached more information on the opportunities which are now open for registration. As always, available classes are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis.
EOIs close COB, Friday 13 September.
Please lodge your registration via email to Hollie.Thomas@wineaustralia.co
Australian Wine Brand Assets (Australian
wine campaign and general photos for use)
The Australian Wine brand encapsulates the adventure and diversity of Australian winemaking and it can be leveraged by all wine regions and wine businesses to unify the sector with a clear, exciting and authentic platform.
To learn more about the Australian Wine brand and access brand assetsincluding messaging and photography - visit our website page: https://www.wineaustralia.com/whats-happening/the-australian-winebrand
Wine Australia’s library of beautiful imagery captures all aspects of the Australian wine sector. This resource is largely free for use by businesses throughout the sector and provides detailed information about where each photo is from and what they cover.
Photo requests are approved by wine Australia and any use simply requires acknowledgment of Wine Australia, and sometimes the photographer, as the source.
Explore the Digital Asset Library here: https://wineaustralia.imagegallery.me/site/welcome.me
WINE AUSTRALIA UPDATES
Innovate with NBN Grants Program
Businesses in regional and remote Australia with bright ideas that harness the benefits of the nbn network can apply for a $15,000 grant through the Innovate with nbn Grants Program. The grant is aimed at businesses that use the power of the nbn network to develop products or solutions that improve digital participation, productivity or social outcomes. Applications close on 29 September. \
Find out more information here: https://www.nbnco.com.au/campaigns/innovate-with-nbn-grants-program
Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
Businesses could apply for grants valued between $10,000 and $25,000 https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/energy-efficiency-grantssmall-medium-sized-enterprises
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia – SWA renewals
Renewals have been underway for SWA and will have until 14th September to enable 2025 vintage wines to be certified for trustmark use (where conditions are met). Any questions on SWA should be directed to Mardi and the helpdesk helpdesk@awri.com.au