INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
2000 to Present
The Mornington Peninsula is host to a thriving wine industry with a total wine sector output in 2019 of $197.4 million with wine tourism contributing $180.1 million and wine output $11.4 million.
The Mornington Peninsula is Australia’s #1 wine tourism destination and had 520,000 domestic tourism winery visits in year ending March 2019.
Vineyard area planted is now over 1,100 hectares with the farm gate price for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir rising by over 60% since 2000.
In 2019 the average price paid for Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay and Pinot Noir was the highest in Australia, Pinot Gris was second highest. Almost all fruit is now made into regionally branded wine, with more than 75% Pinot Noir and 62% of Chardonnay wines selling at over $31 RRP. Direct sales, both consumer and wholesale, have increased by 23% as a proportion of total sales.
Export sales have decreased 14% as a proportion of total sales since 2000. As at the end of March 2020, China was the #1 export destination for Mornington Peninsula wine at 30%, with the UK #2 with a 28% share.
Victoria remains the most important domestic market for Mornington Peninsula wine at 75% of wholesale sales. Direct wine industry employment has increased to over 1,140 FTE. Capital investment excluding vineyard planting has been over $150 million.
PHYLLOXERA -
A BIOSECURITY
PRIORITY
Phylloxera is the greatest threat to our region's biosecurity. The Mornington Peninsula Geographic Indicator is has been declared a Phylloxera Exlusion Zone (PEZ) by the State Government, as one of the state's most vibrant wine producing regions.
What is phylloxera?
Phylloxera is a tiny yellow insect that destroy grapevines by damaging their roots. Secondary fungal infections can also occur as the roots are injured. As the roots die, so does the vine.
- It is a vineyard pest and has no effect on wine quality nor does it present any human health issues.
- It is controllable and manageable but difficult to eradicate.
- Phylloxera and other vineyard pests and diseases can be spread via clothing, footwear, vehicles, vineyard equipment and machinery and on grape vine material.
- Industry and associated operators should be familiar with the National Phylloxera Management Protocols.
We are very pleased to report that following a fourth year of thorough inspection, Agriculture Victoria have NOT found phylloxera in any of the commercial vineyards surveyed or amenity vines inspected.
Biosecurity legislation recognising the region as a Phylloxera Exclusion Zone (PEZ) has been amended to reflect this change in status. This order is made under section 19(1) of the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010.
The Mornington Peninsula is recognised as attaining PEZ status and accordingly trade of phylloxera host material from the region to the Western Victorian PEZ without the need for certification is supported.
ROOTSTOCK TRIAL OUTCOMES
The Mornington Peninsula has undertaken a 10 year project to understand the compatibility of phylloxera resistant rootstocks specifically for pinot noir and have hosted industry workshops to share the insights and taste the resultant wine.
Download the presentation here.
HARVEST
The harvest period brings high movement of labour and machinery in and out of our vineyards, as well as the high volume of tourist trade during this period, here are a few bullet points for best practice of phylloxera management:
- Ask machinery and contractors where they have been prior to entering your property (refer to any phylloxera infested zones here)
- Is the machinery clean (if not lead them directly to your secure cleaning area)
- Direct labour to your footbath station for a 60 second minimum 2% chlorine solution bath of footware and snips
Best Practice Vintage Toolkit can be found here.
VISITOR MANAGEMENT
For relevant biosecurity protocols around Cellar Doors and tourism, see this link from Vine Health Australia.
- Establish designated pathways for visitors and run guided tours rather than allowing visitors to roam.
- Clear signage separating vineyards from public areas
- Educating staff on biosecurity risk
- For further information or to apply for permits email market.access@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Any queries please contact the MPVA office at admin@mpva.com.au or on 03 5989 2377.