Act now: the clock is ticking for Riverland growers

In the grip of an oversupply of winegrapes, time is running out for many Riverland grapegrowers and action is needed now, says Riverland Wine.

“As Riverland, Australian and global wine businesses are struggling from the ongoing challenges resulting from the mass surplus of wine, Riverland Wine is encouraging the local industry to make informed, rational and potentially tough decisions before next vintage,” general manager Alex Cannon-Leyson says.

Riverland Wine recently engaged with some major wine companies that purchase grapes from the Riverland.

“The message from these winemakers was very clear – they did not expect the demand for grapes to improve for the 2026 vintage and as a result, neither would grape prices,” Alex says.

“With the expectation that water prices and other input costs will also increase during the growing season ahead, the immediate future looks very challenging for many of the local growers and wine businesses.”

Alex says while Riverland Wine cannot provide advice on case-by-case situations, they can help collate information and present measured and unbiased facts, allowing growers and wineries to make balanced business decisions.

“With wine consumption in regular decline and wine stocks in oversupply globally, it’s time for growers, winemakers and the community to start considering how they can make positive and lasting change for the region,” says Alex.

“If you are a grapegrower, start by talking to the wineries that buy your grapes and then consider talking to other key business stakeholders – like your irrigation trust or water broker, service providers, fertiliser and chemical suppliers and potentially seek professional financial advice.

“If you are a winery, consider engaging with your grower base as soon as practically possible, to provide clear direction on price and demand.

“And if you reside in the Riverland, and are not directly impacted by the wine industry, you can still support the sector by drinking locally grown Riverland wines.”

Riverland Wine will be hosting an Industry Insights event on Thursday 24 July at the Berri Hotel.

The event hopes to provide regional industry insights to members, directly from key industry stakeholders – enabling them to make informed business decisions for vintage 2026.