News

The Geographical Indications Committee (GIC) has made an interim determination of the term Avola following notification by IP Australia that no objection was made out. In deciding whether to make such determination, the GIC has very little discretion where it is clear that the GI is protected by the laws of the country where the …

Recently a number of our members have contacted us after receiving letters from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) advising them that they have obligations under the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Material) Measure 2011 (NEPM) and to meet these obligations they need to join the ACPO. Failure to do so  would result in them …

A decision has been handed down by IP Australia, in WFA’s opposition to the registration of “Avola” as a GI, which will provide Nero d’Avola producers with some needed comfort. The decision held that the evidence provided by WFA had “establishes that Nero d’Avola is used in Australia as the name of a variety of …

The initial work to review and redevelopment of the Diploma of Viticulture project has now been completed. The Subject Matter Experts (SME) working group meeting was held during September, with people who work directly in the viticulture industry being consulted to help clarify job roles, tasks and identify any skills gaps. The SME’s have now …

From 1 October a minimum floor price for alcohol will be introduced in the Northern Territory. The minimum floor price will be $1.30 per standard drink. Retail display materials explaining the floor price and what it means for consumers are being provided to licensees. These include posters, a rate card to calculate the floor price for …

Catching the Export Wave The 26th annual series of Finlaysons’ Wine Roadshow will be held in August and early September this year. It recognises the fact that Australian wine exports are booming again and will advise attendees what to do in order to successfully “catch the export wave”. Do you know which markets present the …

1 July 2018 is just about here, and with that date comes a raft of changes to WET Rebate eligibility. Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) implores all Australian winemakers to ensure you understand AND comply with the new eligibility rules for the WET Rebate.  Key changes in the new WET measures include:  The test for …

Adelaide Wednesday 22 August, 2018 12.00pm – 2.30pm  Hear from industry experts on the current regulatory climate the sector is operating in, and how businesses and the industry as a whole can maximise the opportunities from the $50m Package. Program and registrations will be announced soon.    

The Packaging Committee provides a forum for direct discussion among stakeholders – and advice to the WFA Board – on political, technological, environmental, regulatory and market driven changes in wine, wine product and brandy packaging. Te ensure a collaborative sector approach, the Wine Industry Suppliers Australia Inc (WISA) is coordinating a call for input to …

The Geographical Indications Committee has made the final determination for the application for protection of 886 foreign GIs in Australia. WFA objected to one of the GIs in the to the original application, “Avola”, as its registration may have restrict the producers ability to use the grape variety “Nero d’Avola” on labels.  The Avola objection case …