ASVO

27/05/2026

A great turn out for Day 2 in Mildura. So valuable to come together in person. Thank you to Wine Australia for supporting this seminar with levies from Australian grape-growers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.

27/05/2026

Incoming and outgoing Executive Directors Emily White and Chris Waters are in Mildura for the 2026 ASVO Viticulture Seminar. Day 1 was excellent. Bring on day 2!

26/05/2026

Brettanomyces continues to be something that many wineries need to monitor as a potential spoilage risk for wine. This research improves our understanding of how this spoilage yeast evolves to increase its tolerance for sulphites and thus persists in wineries. Read online in AJGWR here https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/ajgw/8268547

24/05/2026

ASVO is extending the deadline for applications for the Dr Patrick Iland Scholarship until 15 June. Up to $5000 is available for individuals or small-to-medium businesses undertaking professional development projects. Here's some ideas of what kinds of things you can use the scholarship for. Criteria and application forms can be found here
https://www.asvo.com.au/asvo-scholarship-program

17/05/2026

If you've thinking about attending, it is time to decide. Expect practical insights, honest discussion, and strategic thinking for wine grape growers under pressure. Registrations close Friday 22 May at https://www.asvo.com.au/events/2026-mildura

17/05/2026

This study considered the use of glass balls coated in titanium dioxide as an alternative method to the use of bentonite for protein stabilisation in winemaking. The results were promising, and address some key limitations of bentonite use, such as long processing times and high costs of waste disposal. Read more in the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, online at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/ajgw/336355

14/05/2026

Pia Merrick, Head Winemaker at Australian Vintage's Buronga Hill Winery, is speaking on the topic of unlocking ESG Value at the ASVO Viticulture Seminar in Mildura this month. You can still register to attend at https://www.asvo.com.au/events/2026-mildura

Meanwhile, as mentioned by Pia, you can watch this video to see what Murray Valley Winegrowers have been doing on sustainability: https://www.mvwi.com.au/fact-sheets/others/swa/

13/05/2026

2026 ASVO Awards for Excellence. It all starts with the simple nomination of a worthy peer by an ASVO member. You all know many deserving recipients of the awards for winemaking, viticulture, wine science and emerging talent. But, if they are not nominated, they can never win. Start the process now. Entries close 30 June. Visit https://www.asvo.com.au/about-asvo-awards-excellence for more information.

12/05/2026

26-27 May - Viticulture for Challenging Times – Mildura 🍇| Guided Wine Tasting - Disease-Resistant Varieties – From Vineyard to Glass | Feature Session
Session chair: Nick Dry
Joining the discussion panel and guided wine tasting:
Tennile Chalmers, Chalmers Wines
Bethany Collins, Hill Smith Family Estate
Justin Kassulke, Kassulke Farms
Pia Merrick, Australian Vintage
Expect practical insights, honest discussion, and strategic thinking for growers under pressure.
📍 Mildura
🎟️ Register now: https://www.asvo.com.au/events/2026-mildura

12/05/2026

Wine Australia has advised us that applications for the Next Crop Leadership Program for the Riverland region are still open until next week! Extended from the original 1 May deadline so it's not too late to apply but do so this week.

April 9, 2026 2026 Next Crop leadership program Expressions of interest are now open for the 2026 Next Crop leadership program, designed to build the skills, confidence and connections shaping the future of the Riverland wine community. Delivered by Riverland Wine in partnership with Wine Australia....