It’s been a difficult year for Australian wine producers, but it’s not all doom and gloom. With vintage season now upon us we sat down with Acclaimed Workforce State Manager Graeme Miller (SA Barossa) to discuss expectations for vintage 2023, the challenges of the past year, and what he’s most excited about for the Australian wine industry in the months and years to come. 

In need of staff for vintage? Contact our specialist consultants today. 

What general expectations are there for this year's vintage? 

In a word, expectations are complicated. The truth is it has been a difficult growing season for the 2023 vintage, and it looks to be generally an average yield, though for some varieties it will be above average. Many wineries, large and small, are sitting on stock from a large 2022 vintage so there will be space constrictions. Costs to produce fruit have been higher due to the weather and prices are likely to be lower, depending upon quality. 

How much of an impact have La Niña and unseasonable weather had for wine producers? 

Weather has had a major impact. For example, the high levels of rainfall have created higher disease pressure. Vineyards have had to contend with the increased threat of things like downy mildew, which is a fungus-like algal infection that thrives in warm and wet weather. Diseases like that have the potential to devastate vineyards. 

The wet weather also presents an obstacle to getting onto vineyards with machinery for either harvesting or disease management purposes. Some wine producers in flood affected areas have had to anticipate the potential for significant yield losses due to the flooding. 

Have there been any other particular challenges? 

Many industries are contending with skills and labour shortages, and the wine industry is no exception. We are hearing from our clients that attracting and retaining contract crews of sufficient skill remains a challenge. Many wine producers have indicated it continues to be difficult to retain skilled manual labour in an environment where those people can easily find work elsewhere. 

The present oversupply of red wine due to China’s tariffs on Australian wine imports also continues to put downward pressure on prices. A number of producers of red wines are having to consider mothballing their vines or switching varieties altogether. 

What kinds of things is Acclaimed Workforce doing to support the wine industry? 

Acclaimed Workforce has a long history of supplying the wine industry with permanent or on-hired workers. We have a number of long-term clients who have benefited over many years from our knowledge of the industry and our ability to provide work-ready employees for every stage of the vintage process – from grower liaison officers and harvest machine operators to cellar hands and laboratory staff to winemakers and administration staff. 

We’ve also run a number of successful work experience and training programs aimed at filling specific skills needs. We expect to do more of this kind of training in the future. Notably we were recently able to achieve recognition as a Group Training Organisation (GTO). As this program gets up and running we will be well placed to help address labour shortages through the provision of apprentices and trainees targeted at covering current skills gaps. 

Is there anything on the horizon that you're excited about in the Australian wine industry? 

Advances in the ag-tech scene are particularly exciting. Across all areas of agriculture we are seeing a growing demand for farm automation, digitalisation and sustainability. Technologies like the Internet of Things, computer vision, artificial intelligence, drones and robotics, along with biotech, big data and analytics platforms, are all poised to play an increasing role in wine production. Advancements in precision and regenerative agriculture are expected to have a positive impact too. 

It's exciting because these things can play a key role in helping to future-proof the industry. They also broaden the spectrum of the kinds of professions that will be associated with wine production in the years to come. Despite the challenges of the past year there are exciting times ahead. 

As specialists in wine recruitment with offices across key wine producing regions, Acclaimed Workforce can quickly and reliably source and onboard staff for your vintage season. Contact our specialist consultants to find out how we can support your vintage workforce needs.