On 9 July, Wine Australia released both the 2024 National Vintage Report and the 2024 South Australian Wine Grape Crush Survey.
The survey indicated the South Australian winegrape crush was 619,400 tonnes in 2024. This was down 6% on the 2023 state crush and 19% below the 10-year (2014-2023) average tonnes of 769,014 tonnes.
Vinehealth Australia contributed to the planting data reports from our South Australian vineyard Register.
Key data from 2024
- Coonawarra saw a 33% increase in tonnes crushed from 2023 with 27,245 tonnes crushed.
- Other regions with an increase in tonnes crushed include Wrattonbully (15%), McLaren Vale (7%) and Padthaway (6%).
- The Limestone Coast Zone had an overall net increase of 7,984 tonnes. This is perhaps a recovery from a 44% decrease for Coonawarra and 38% decrease for Wrattonbully from 2022 to 2023.
- The Clare Valley suffered the largest decline in percentage of tonnes crushed with a decrease of 28% from 2023 to 2024. The Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley were not far behind with a decrease in tonnes crushed of 24% and 21% respectively. It is noted there are five regions that have decreased more than the Clare Valley, with decreases of up to 72% from 2023 to 2024, but these regions produced less than 5,000 tonnes and may be incomplete reporting.
- The Riverland saw a decrease of 19,640 tonnes, or 6%, from 2023 to 2024 with an intake of 391,248 tonnes in 2024.
- Of the 8 regions that saw a net increase in tonnes from 2023 to 2024 totalling an extra 12,450 tonnes, this was offset by 15 regions that decreased in tonnes by 55,030 tonnes from 2023 to 2024.
- The red crush of 365,582 tonnes was 11% down on the 2023 crush of 408,715 tonnes and 21% down compared with 2022. The top two varieties, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, made up 71% of the total red crush. If we include Merlot, the top three major red varieties make up 80% of the red intake.
- The white crush of 253,818 was a very small increase on 2023 of 253,270 tonnes and was down 13% compared to 2022 with 290,158 tonnes. Chardonnay remains the major white variety in South Australia with a 10% increase in tonnes to 131,789 tonnes and equates to 52% of all white winegrape production.
- Nationally, Chardonnay has overtaken Shiraz as the most crushed variety, but in South Australia, Shiraz remains the most dominant variety.
2024 crush value
The total estimated South Australian crush value of $457 million continues the decrease in crush value of $515 million in 2023 and $622 million in 2022. This reflects not only the decrease in tonnes but also a decrease in the overall average price per tonne, which was $711 per tonne in 2022, $700 per tonne in 2023 and $675 per tonne in 2024.
The weighted average prices for the top variety in each major region were mixed:
- McLaren Vale Grenache was down 11% to $2166 per tonne after being up 6% to a record $2432/T in 2023.
- Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc was up 4% to now be a new record of $2071 per tonne after being up 26% to $1988/T in 2023.
- Barossa Valley Shiraz continued to decline to now be $1866 per tonne.
Planting stats from the report
While there was an overall 6% decrease in tonnes crushed in South Australia, vineyard planting statistics indicated a holding of the overall planted area. There was an overall decrease in planted area of 753 hectares from 2023 to 2024 indicating a 1% decrease in planted area.
Accessing the Winegrape Crush Survey
To access the 2024 Report and previously published reports, click here.
All vintage survey data from 2015 onwards is now also available on the Wine Australia interactive Vintage Survey Dashboard and does not require a login to access.
Got questions?
For questions relating to crush figures, contact Peter Bailey at Wine Australia via email peter.bailey@wineaustralia.com or phone (08) 8228 2000.
For questions relating to planting information, contact Vinehealth Australia via email at admin@vinehealth.com.au or phone (08) 8273 0550.