Carey Gully winegrape and cherry grower Vince Blefari knows firsthand the challenges that outbreak restrictions can pose for a small family-run farm.
With 60 acres of winegrapes and 10 acres of cherries under cultivation, Vince found himself within the 15-kilometre Yellow Area surrounding the Glynde Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) outbreak. This triggered a range of compliance requirements.
“During vintage, I needed ICA-33 accreditation to transport my winegrapes out of the Yellow Area,” Vince explained.
“There was a rush to get the accreditation as soon as we realised we were inside the outbreak zone. We didn’t want any issues delivering grapes to our winery customers.”
After applying, Vince waited several weeks before receiving a visit from PIRSA, who conducted an on-site interview and issued him a Plant Health Certificate book for documenting grape loads. “The process wasn’t overly complex, but I was relieved we acted quickly and got it sorted,” he said.
Now, Vince is turning his attention to the upcoming cherry season, as the Glynde Qfly restrictions are set to remain in place until 6 December 2025.
“We’re still figuring out what requirements we’ll face to move cherries out of Carey Gully,” he said. “I expect to have more clarity following an industry meeting soon.”
While acknowledging the seriousness of the fruit fly outbreak for South Australia, Vince believes other threats pose a greater risk to the wine industry.
“I don’t see fruit fly as a major issue for winegrapes,” he said. “The biggest impact on us has been the paperwork that comes with being in a restricted area.
“Phylloxera and grapevine trunk diseases are far more concerning. If phylloxera ever arrived in South Australia, it could halt grape movement between regions and restrict contractor access.”
To minimise the risk of introducing pests and diseases, Vince enforces strict hygiene protocols for all equipment and people entering his property.
“That includes pruning crews, visitors – everyone. We want to avoid carrying pests, diseases or weeds from one vineyard to another,” he explained.
As a proactive step, Vince is also steadily replanting with phylloxera-tolerant rootstock. “We’ve now got around 40% of our vines on rootstock. It’s a form of insurance against future outbreaks,” he said.
“If phylloxera does arrive, there’ll be a surge in demand for rootstock material. That’s why we’ve started early. Of course, it’s an expensive process, so we’re phasing it in over time.”
Vince sees this as part of a broader strategy that includes clean farming practices and careful decision-making around equipment and labour.
“Whether it’s buying used machinery or bringing in contractors, we’re doing everything we can to manage risk responsibly,” Vince said.
