Back in August 2024, the South Australian Winegrape Crush Survey (SA WGCS) was released.
Vinehealth Australia is often asked about emerging varieties and what may be up-and-coming. While we can’t endorse or recommend varieties, there are a few trends that can be derived from the SA WGCS.
On a state level, there were 337 hectares of new plantings in 2023, however there was a net decrease of 753 hectares across South Australia in 2023-24 year on year.
Sauvignon Blanc (+65 ha), Pinot Noir (+45 ha), Grenache (+35 ha), Pinot Gris (+27 ha) and Shiraz (+26 ha) were the most widely planted varieties in 2023. It should be noted that, overall, Pinot Noir increased by 136 hectares in total planted area from 2022-23 to 2023-24 as some of the plantings were not reported within three months of the change. Similarly, Sauvignon Blanc increased overall by +86 hectares as some plantings in prior years were reported late.
Prosecco (43%), Saperavi (15%), Gruner Veltliner (12%), Grenache Blanc (11%) and Aglianico (10%) all had the greatest proportional increase in planted area across South Australia in 2023-24. Some of these varieties are off a very small base, so even small increases in planted areas appear as large percentage increases.
While Shiraz had +26 hectares planted in 2023-24, there was a net decrease of 359 hectares of Shiraz from 2022-23 to 2023-24. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz make up the top three varieties decreasing in planted area, with a decrease of 624 hectares for Cabernet Sauvignon and 197 hectares for Merlot from 2022-23 to 2023-24.
Looking at regions, Currency Creek recorded the largest vine increase with an additional 126 hectares, followed by the Barossa Valley with an 18 hectare increase. There were very few other regions increasing year on year. It should be noted that Currency Creek may not have undergone large planting increases, but new imagery identified plantings that were added to the Register.
In contrast, Limestone Coast Other (-251 hectares), Clare Valley (-191 hectares) and Wrattonbully (-151 hectares) all observed significant decreases year on year. South Australia’s largest region, the Riverland, only saw a proportionally small decrease of -120 hectares.
For year on year regional specific varietal changes, please refer to current and past SA WGCS’s available on the link above.
Note: The SA WGCS planted data comes from the Vinehealth Australia South Australian Vine Register, which includes all vineyards of 0.5 hectares or more. The Register requires all planting changes to be notified within three months of the change (PGI Act 1995, Part 3-The Register, 21-Returns), but this does not always occur, so there may be small inaccuracies in planting data year on year.