Collaboration to boost profitability and sustainability of Western Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers

Improving the environmental sustainability, profitability and competitiveness of the Western Australia wine industry is the focus of several collaborative initiatives being rolled out in partnership by Wines of Western Australia (WoWA), the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Wine Australia.

The initiatives comprise:

• The appointment of an Engagement Officer to build the state’s reputation as a sustainable wine producer by driving the adoption of sustainable practices in vineyards and wineries
• Renewal of support for the role of Sustainability and Industry Development Program Manager to continue the development of state-specific programs to improve sustainability initiatives and promote a Lightweight Bottle Charter.

“These initiatives are squarely aimed at strengthening the knowledge and practices of Western Australian grapegrowers and wine producers to improve their future profitability and sustainability,” said Larry Jorgensen, Chief Executive Officer of Wines of WA.

“We want to encourage them to be innovative, motivate them to make changes to their businesses practices and promote their sustainable initiatives. This includes supporting grape and wine producers to achieve accreditation through Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) — a national program that provides a pathway for producers to achieve certification which they can use to showcase their commitment to sustainability.”

Dr Martin Cole, CEO of Wine Australia, said embracing sustainability was a key priority in the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan — a strategy developed through broad sector-wide consultation to strengthen the resilience, sustainability and profitability of grape and wine businesses.

“The Plan has sustainability at its core which recognises that our sector’s ability to continue to produce quality grapes and wine depends on protecting our natural resources, improving efficiency and adapting to a changing climate.”

Wines of Western Australia has appointed Lucy Nankervis to the role of Sustainability Engagement Officer while Eloise Jarvis will continue as Sustainability and Industry Development Program Manager.

Lucy’s responsibilities will include strengthening the state’s reputation for producing responsible, high-quality wine, supporting growers and wineries to adopt more sustainable methods of production by facilitating regional collaboration and forming producer groups.

Wines of Western Australia has appointed Lucy Nankervis to the role of Sustainability Engagement Officer

A key responsibility of Eloise’s role will be to encourage statewide adoption of Margaret River’s Lightweight Bottle Charter, which has seen wineries in the region commit to lowering their greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the average weight of 750ml still wine bottles to below 420 grams.

Eloise Jarvis will continue as Sustainability and Industry Development Program Manager

The partnership between WoWA, DPIRD and Wine Australia will also result in the relocation of the WA Vine Improvement Association (WAVIA) germplasm collection from the WA DPIRD site at Manjimup to the University of Western Australia’s Shenton Park facility in Perth. The collection, which includes more than 130 varieties and 180 clones, has been quarantined since the detection of Diaporthe ampelina, a declared pest in WA.

Although options for eradicating the pest from the Manjimup site were investigated, shifting the collection to the Shenton Park site was deemed to be the best long-term solution for ensuring the WA wine sector has continued access to high-health, verified grapevine material.

Lucy and Eloise's positions and the relocation of the WAVIA germplasm collection are funded through Wine Australia's Research & Innovation Fund, part of the Australian Wine Future Fund, which is matching the WoWA and DPIRD investment with non-levy funds from the Commonwealth Government.