The Australian Vignerons and Winemakers' Federation of Australia have officially amalgamated to form Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated.
Members unanimously voted to create a united national body to allow wine grape growers and winemakers collaborate together at a national level.
Wine Grape Council of SA chair Heather Webster said she was thrilled that the national bodies delivered on the simplification that members had been asking for and working towards for several years.
“Having a united national industry body will bring increased benefits to our SA members through strong unified advocacy. Relationships will be further strengthened with winemakers and it is great to know that the interests of our vignerons, irrespective of size, are represented on national issues affecting the grape and wine sector through one strong voice to government,” she said.
Business manager Lisa Bennier said that it was a significant move forward for the whole grape and wine industry and congratulated all involved in achieving such a monumental outcome.
“As SA wine grape growers hold the majority membership of Australian Vignerons, we could not be more pleased with the aligned focus and respect shown by all involved,” she said.
“In particular we acknowledge the collaboration and leadership by the chairs of both organisations, Sandy Clark and Jo Andrews, along with CEO's Tony Battaglene and Anna Hooper. To achieve what they have is no easy task and shows how working collaboratively can produce significant outcomes for grape growers and winemakers alike.”
Industry have encouraged all wine grape growers to become members of the new entity.
For SA’s independent wine grape growers its a simple process, if already paying the $1 a tonne state contribution, growers automatically become a member of WGCSA and therefore will be a member of the new national body.
The new amalgamated entity will be represented by 4 committees - Large Winemakers, Medium Winemakers, Small Winemakers and Vignerons. Each committee will provide 4 Directors to the new board for an initial term of one year.
WGCSA, on behalf of the new member committee, will appoint the four inaugural Vigneron directors to the board and WGCSA councillors are currently engaged in determining the selection process.
