National vineyard register welcomed by struggling wine industry
The Australian government will set up a National Vineyard Register to help the struggling wine industry track vineyard sizes and grape varieties.
In response to calls from the wine industry, the Australian federal government has announced the establishment of a National Vineyard Register. This digital platform will help monitor the sizes and varieties of vineyards across the nation and is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. This initiative comes after nearly two years of work by Wine Australia, during which many wine growers faced uncertainty regarding their operations and future crop decisions.
The National Vineyard Register aims to support the wine industry by providing crucial data on vineyard ages, sizes, and grape varieties, which can inform better decision-making for growers and businesses. Although the participation of growers is essential for the register's effectiveness, there is currently no clarification on whether they will be required to sign up voluntarily or mandatorily.
With the Wine Australia organization leading the project and the agricultural data company, Map of Ag tasked with designing and building the platform, this initiative represents a significant step towards revitalizing the Australian wine sector. By improving data visibility and accessibility, the register could contribute to better resource management and potentially enhance the competitiveness of Australian wines in the global market.