House debates

Monday, 26 October 2020

Statements by Members

Grey Electorate: Grape Industry

4:21 pm

Photo of Rowan RamseyRowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

It's been a tough year for grape producers in the electorate of Grey. They've battled a drought that affected them with low yields, but it has led to extremely high-quality wines. Due to the COVID crisis, the global distribution chain has broken down, cellar doors are closed and airline businesses have wound down. So it's good to see the Clare Valley currently enjoying record visitation, as the people from South Australia flock to this wonderful part of our country.

On Friday the 16th, we were able to celebrate with the Langton's Clare Valley Annual Wine Show. I'm pleased to report that Jim Barry Wines won Best Vintage Section Cabernet Sauvignon with their The Farm Cabernet Sauvignon, Best Exhibition Section Dry Riesling with the 2019 Lodge Hill, the Best Fortified Wine of Show, and they were also the Best Exhibitor of Show. Tim Adams Wines won the Best Rose of Show with their Mr Mick Rose. Kirrihill Wines, owned by former senator Sean Edwards won the Best Vintage Section Dry Red with the The Pastor of Clare Cabernet Malbec. Reillys Wines from Mintaro, won the Best Dry Red from Exhibition Sections for their 2016 Stolen Block Shiraz. Paulett Wines Aged Release Riesling won the Wine of Provenance and Best Sweet Wine of Show with their 2020 Alison Riesling. Naked Run Wines, a winery based in the Barossa Valley, sourcing a lot of Clare Valley grapes, won the Best Exhibition Section Dry Riesling 2018 Vintage and Older. And their first Riesling, 2021, won Best Riesling of Show, Best Wine of show and Best Current Vintage. It's a good wine to stock. Pikes and Kilikanoon also won awards for outstanding wines.