As the Australian wine industry deals with changing consumer tastes and shifting global markets, De Bortoli Wines is doubling down on its long-term future.
The family-owned winery is taking a practical, disciplined approach to managing its land and ensuring its business remains sustainable.
Across all its properties, De Bortoli is regularly reviewing how its vineyards are performing.
To ensure every site meets strict quality, financial and environmental standards, the company has removed some underperforming vineyards.
However, it is also investing heavily in premium regions, developing new land and replanting grape varieties that consumers want.
Yarra Valley estate manager Leanne De Bortoli said that these changes are just a normal part of farming.
“Like any farming business, we have to keep adapting,” she said.
“We look at vineyard health, market trends, regional challenges and where we see future opportunities.
“While it can be hard to make changes, these decisions let us invest in the right grape varieties and vineyards so our business stays strong for the future.”
The company continues to invest heavily across several of Australia’s leading wine regions.
In the Yarra Valley, De Bortoli has expanded its vineyard footprint by purchasing a red volcanic ‘greenfield’ site in Woori Yallock, which will become a new flagship family vineyard.
The business is also replanting some of its vineyards in response to phylloxera while increasing its focus on the premium Upper Yarra Valley region.
In the King Valley, almost 70 percent of the company’s vineyards will be replanted or top-grafted by the end of 2026 with highly popular varieties like Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese.
At Rutherglen, since buying the property in 2018, the business has restructured over 60 hectares and added new plantings.
The new plantings include varieties such as Fiano, Sangiovese and Grenache to match future market trends.
In the Riverina, where industry oversupply has placed significant pressure on grape prices, De Bortoli has removed vineyard blocks that no longer meet its quality benchmarks while continuing to monitor long-term market conditions.
Despite the industry’s current hurdles, the family remains confident.
“We are still optimistic about the future of Australian wine,” managing director Darren De Bortoli said.
“The industry is going through a period of adjustment, but we’ve seen these cycles before.
“Our focus is on making smart decisions today so our vineyards, our growers and our business remain strong well into the future.
“As a fourth-generation family business, we’re investing for the next generation, not simply the next harvest.”
De Bortoli’s vineyard strategy reflects a broader commitment to making high quality wines while building a more sustainable, resilient and successful future for the Australian wine industry.
De Bortoli Wines is a family wine company established in 1928, and today is under the custodianship of the third generation, Darren, Leanne, Kevin and Victor De Bortoli.
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