The longstanding issue of winemakers being late to pay grapegrowers has been highlighted after a controversial social media post last week.
Elgo Estate in the Strathbogie Ranges in Victoria posted a screenshot of a Google Review it left for Mac Forbes Wines which said, “Mac Forbes produced wine from grapes we supplied in 2024.
“He has still not paid for this fruit.
“He is profiting off our loss by selling his wines.”
Elgo Estate’s vineyard at Upton Hill was completely destroyed by the fire in Victoria in early January.
“Beyond recovery, we have lost a lifetime’s worth of work and we are still trying to come to terms with it,” they said on Instagram.
The post has been liked by more than 850 followers with about 90 comments, most of them supportive.
When contacted by WBM on Sunday for comment, Mac Forbes issued this statement:
“Firstly, I take full responsibility for the drawn-out period of time to pay this in full.
“We have been working to get the amount owed down, but appreciate that the extended period has caused Suzie and Grant additional stress, which I deeply regret.
“I have always been committed to paying this in full, and this will be finalised this coming week.
“The wine industry is going through an incredibly challenging period at the moment, and that is putting pressure on cashflow right across the supply chain.
“That’s the reality we’ve been navigating, though I recognise it doesn’t change what Elgo Estate and other suppliers are owed, or when they’re owed it.
“Our suppliers have been very patient as we work hard to get through this.
“We don’t this for granted and are committed to meeting all our obligations.”
• A version of this article was first published in our weekly newsletter The Week That Was.
Photo courtesy of Mac Forbes Facebook page.