Each year we analyse key vineyard planting statistics for South Australia, which we export out of the Vinehealth Register.
We performed our latest data export at 30 April, which is the end of our financial year, to analyse for various purposes. This included aggregating and deidentifying planting data to report as part of our Annual Report, and to provide for inclusion in the South Australian Wine Grape Crush Survey.
Updated statistics on South Australian vineyard plantings as at 30 April 2023 include:
- Fewer vineyard owners: there were 18 fewer vineyard owners registered with Vinehealth Australia as at 30 April 2023, compared to the previous year.
- The largest reductions in registered vineyard owners were noted from the Riverland (especially growers owning between 10-24 hectares (ha) of vineyard) and Barossa Valley (especially those owning under 10 ha of vineyard).
- Vineyard area decreased: there has been a net decrease of 668 ha for the total area of vines planted in South Australia compared to the same time last year.
- Largest decreases in vineyard area compared to the previous year were in Robe, followed by the Riverland and Langhorne Creek.
- By area category, the largest decreases in vineyard area compared to the previous year were from the 50-99 ha category, followed by the 10-24 ha category. Vineyard area within the 25-49 ha and less than 10 ha categories saw an increase in planted area across the state.
- By area category and region, the largest decreases in the state compared to last year by planted area were Eden Valley 50-99 ha category, followed by Langhorne Creek 100+ ha category, followed by Barossa Valley 50-99 ha category, followed by Riverland 10-24 ha category, followed by Robe 100+ ha category, followed by Riverland 50-99 ha category. However, the largest increases in the state by planted area category and region compared to last year were Eden Valley 25-49 ha category, followed by Riverland 25-49 ha category, followed by Barossa Valley 100+ ha category, followed by Langhorne Creek 50-99 ha category.
- Area planted or topworked decreased: there were 323 ha planted or top-worked in 2022-23, which represents a 20% decrease compared to the previous year.
- More whites planted: of this vineyard area planted/top-worked in 2022-23, 60% of area was to red varieties. This compared to 80% in 2021-22.
- Less Shiraz was planted: of the new plantings, nearly 25% were Shiraz in 2022-23; unlike in 2021-22 where Shiraz made up approximately 50% of all new plantings.
- Significant plantings by area for the state in 2022-23: Shiraz was the most widely planted variety by area, followed by Fiano, then Cabernet Sauvignon, and then Chardonnay. This compared to Shiraz, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Grenache in 2021-22.
- Region of largest area of planting/top-working was the Riverland in 2022-23, as it was the previous year. However, in 2022-23 the region of the second highest area of planting/top-working was Clare Valley, as opposed to Barossa Valley the previous year.
Under the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act 1995, Vinehealth Australia must maintain a Register of persons who own vineyards comprising 0.5 hectares or more of planted vines.
This curated Register is the core asset of the organisation, integral to many of functions and activities we perform and is also a core asset of the Australian wine industry.