Tel 0011 61 2 6964
3504
Fax 0011 61 2 6964 3526
With grape production of 300,000 tonnes in 2008, the Riverina is the largest grape producer in New South Wales (60% of production) with vineyards covering an area of over 20,000 hectares. There are 16 wineries, most with cellar door facilities.
Winemakers are generally large-scale producers of high-quality, value-for-money table wines.
Family companies are the common feature.
Riverina Wine Show & International Sweet Wine Challenge
The Riverina is home to Australia's greatest sweet wines, including the De Bortoli Noble One. The Riverina Winemakers Association conducts annually an International Sweet Wine Challenge in conjunction with the 2008 Wine Show.
For more info go to the Wine Show page.
The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation has advised that the Riverina Wine Show will be endorsed for inclusion on the list of wine shows authorised for the display of awards in the European Union. This is the first non-capital city wine show to be so endorsed. Further details on implementation will be advised when they are known.
In early 2006 the Riverina Winemakers’ Association founded the One Vision Environment Program as a result of a partnership with the Grape and Wine Research Development Corporation and the completion of a Solid Waste Study. One Vision assists Riverina wineries by working collectively to address environment and sustainability issues in the region. Since its formation, One Vision has developed an Environment Policy, hosted two environment and sustainability seminars for the NSW wine industry; completed the solid waste audit resulting in the development of accredited training courses in waste and environmental management and the production of recycling and procurement easy-reference guides; developed a communication program via newsletters and a website.
Currently, five of our wineries are participants in the Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Sustainability Advantage program (see www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus) and eleven of our wineries (representing over 90% of the wine produced in the region) are active participants in the Australian Wine Industry Stewardship program (now named EnviroWine Australia (see www.wfa.org.au/environment.htm).
The One Vision program will continue throughout 2008 with a focus on developing a Crisis Management Plan, a re-audit of Solid Waste, the continuation of Sustainability Advantage and an anticipated third sustainability and environment seminar.
For more information including manuals and newsletters go the Environment page.