Family wine group’s record-breaking vine pull

The Randall Wine Group (RWG) has removed 240 hectares of vineyards from six different locations in two years – and aims to take out about 1,220 hectares (3,015 acres) in total.

“That would be the single largest private premium vine removal program ever in Australia’s history,” proprietor Warren Randall said at Eden Valley this week while pulling out 28-year-old Shiraz vines.

RWG owns Seppeltsfield, Penny’s Hill and Gemtree and is Australia’s largest privately owned luxury vineyard holder, spanning 3,500 hectares.

“We’re doing our duty to return the Australian wine industry to supply/demand balance,” Warren said.

“Is everyone else?

“We have pulled out 240 hectares so far on the way to a probably 1,220 hectares in total removal.

“Australia has to remove one-third of its total vineyard area to get back into supply/demand balance.

“So Australia, let’s get on with it.”

Polish Hill River Shiraz ready to burn.

Other grubbings include Auburn Shiraz and Polish Hill River Shiraz and Cabernet in Clare.

Randall said the matter is urgent and he would like to see a campaign launched about vineyard removals.

“This downturn is structural, not cyclical, and this national vine pull is absolutely essential,” Randall said.

“It actually has been since the overzealous plantings in the 1990s.

“We need to start a campaign to let grapegrowers need to know that they either won’t sell their grapes or they will sell them at a loss after all of their had work over the year,” Randall said.

“The faster 33 percent of Australia’s vineyards are removed, the faster we will return to supply/demand balance and grapegrowers and winemakers can return to profitability.

“So to employ people who then pay the Government tax and in turn pay company tax on their own profit.

“The system will be viable again.

“The faster we act, the faster we will all return to profit.”