Volume 60 | December 17th 2020
The New South Wales Wine Industry Association represents the interests of all NSW wine producers and grape growers. Our aim is for the NSW Wine Industry Association to advocate for the NSW Wine Industry and provide information and a sense of belonging to our members.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Well hasn’t 2020 been a wild ride! We don’t need to go into details, but I know this year has been tough for all of us. We are pleased that the NSWWIA has been able to assist in some way, particularly through the bushfires and smoke situation as well as the clarification and lobbying to do with COVID-19 Restrictions and the reopening of Cellar Doors in June.
The challenges continue with both the China situation and also the lack of staff available in many regions for the vintage ahead. We continue to work on these areas. 

We hope to make a positive announcement with regards to our ongoing working relationship with the NSW government early in the new year. Please keep an eye out.

We also hope to see a large take-up of the training units as part of the AgSkilled 2.0 program next year and into the future. 

Thanks to our board, our team helping behind the scenes, our working partners in government and other associations, as well as our sponsors. I feel this year has shown the need for continuing collaboration amongst the industry and beyond.

On behalf of the board, I would like to wish you good holidays and hope that 2021 is great for us all, both in terms of a great vintage but also in all aspects of the industry and our collective businesses.

Cheers Angus Barnes, EO NSW Wine
OUTDOOR COVID RESTRICTIONS CLARIFICATION
It has now been confirmed by the Services NSW Hotline, AHA and RCA, that you can have customers standing up and consuming alcohol in a licensed outdoor setting under the current COVID rules of one person per 2 Sqm. This applies to all venues current license conditions. Also, please note that for a marquee to be treated as an outdoor venue, it must have only 2 or less sealed walls. I.e. if a marquee has 3 walls, it is treated as an indoor venue.
As soon as we hear more about indoor tastings we will let you know.
BIOSECURITY CHANGES INTO SA
NSW wineries who are planning to consign empty, used grape bins or tippers into SA need to be aware of some requirements that have always been in the South Australian Plant Quarantine Standard but are now being enforced.
The biggest changes are on the SA receiving end but the businesses consigning into SA do have to ensure biosecurity documentation now accompany these loads.

If you think you will need to revisit your practices, please read this VineHealth Australia document to ensure the potential impacts of non-complying loads over vintage are minimised.
WINESTATE WINES OF NSW TASTING
Winestate Magazine is inviting the submission of wines from all NSW wine regions (including ACT) for their annual Wines of NSW Tasting, which will be published in their May June 2021 issue.
Wine samples and submission forms are due by Monday 8th February 2021, but please do be aware that the Winestate Offices will be closed from Friday 18th December and reopening Monday 4th January 2021.
You can see entry criteria HERE

You can submit your wines HERE
SHORT SIPS NEWS
+ Young Gun of Wine Awards closes tomorrow on December 18

+ Has your business suffered a decline in exports as a result of COVID-19, droughts or bushfires? Don't forget you may be eligible for an Export Assistance Grant of up to $10,000 from the NSW Government. For info HERE.

+ Prowein 2021 cancelled
+ Congratulations to Trish Barry, Mastermind Consulting, the new 2020 Wine Communicator of the Year.

+ Congratulations to The Gates Restaurant at Leogate Estate Wines and Olleyville at Shaw Wines, winners of the Best Restaurant in a Winery in the 2020 RCA Awards of Excellence NSW and ACT. Full results HERE.