AS we try and look towards a quiet day or two over the festive period, we grapegrowers are reminded of the Grinches of the wine industry, who have waited until the money has been spent on growing a crop before just now releasing the low prices which will simply cripple many growers.
But first I want to make it clear that not all the fault is from the wineries.
The previous Federal Government called China out over COVID, stopping a mammoth market in its tracks overnight.
While the current government has restored the connection with China, it will take many years to come even close to restoring a market anywhere near our previous levels – if ever.
And recently, only a minuscule amount was pledged by the government for promotion of our wines to wider, newer and/or emerging markets.
The wineries which only now have released prices could have said, should have said, much earlier, that reds would be priced poorly, and whites will largely not recognise the prices growers deserve to somewhat compensate for the high cost of production and poor red prices.
On top of this significant financial setback, disease pressure has been high during the past month or so, with the high humidity and rain, and as a result heaps of spraying and other tractor work has been essential.
This week’s 46C temperature has also kept us on our toes, applying much heavier irrigations to help minimise the burning of fruit.
On a lighter note, the crows and starlings are assembling to be ready for a meal (or many of them) from the grapevines, with the grapes now beginning their ripening process.
I have heard they are also coming protected by fancy new super-duper bullet-proof vests this season – and we are looking forward to seeing just how good they are.
At the same time I have organised backpack sprayers for the orb spiders, so they can help out with the fungicide spraying in the centre of the grapevine canopies – but unfortunately the wrong ones have arrived.
So they are now all wearing Ghostbuster backpacks and are scaring the hell out of all the other creatures in the vineyard.
At last count they had rounded up 1200 snails, three wallabies, 120 assorted lizards and 10 elves, which should have been on shelves.
Remember to call your mates, and have a great Christmas and I wish you all a happy new year.
