THE WINE LABEL SHOW
Members may be aware that McGuigan Cellars is currently hosting a Wine Label Exhibition at their cellar door. This exhibition features a showing of wine labels produced for Australian table wines from the late 1940s through to the contemporary era. With a special focus on the Hunter Valley Wine Region, A/Prof. Allan Morse from the University of Newcastle, showcases a foretaste of wine history, and presents an estimation of its character with an invitation to share the delight of the charm, romance and the mysteries of wine through the importance of the intent and meaning of design in the making, branding and identification of our wines.
The Wine Label Show is required to be relocated in early May, and we would like to provide members with the opportunity to host this Exhibition at your cellar door. The Association is currently calling for Expressions of Interest, and I ask that you please consider hosting this Wine Label Show as it is important that such a presentation of Hunter and Australian wine labels remains in our wine region.
Please contact Greg West at the Association’s office to submit your EOI to host this exhibition by email at info@winehuntervalley.org.au or by telephone on 02 4991 4533.
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2010 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ( EMS) PROGRAM
The Association is currently preparing to run the second EMS training program, which will be open to 15 members of the HVWIA. Participation in the program will include attending 5 – 6 workshops, as well as some management time in the office.
So far, we do not have enough support from members to ensure that the 2010 program will proceed this year. The training component of the program is free, however there will be a commitment to pay an annual maintenance fee of $250 (plus GST) per participant per year for four years. This maintenance fee covers all updates to the web based content including legislative changes, the news forum, the chat room, best management practices, and OH&S training videos etc.
Members are asked to contact the Association’s office to obtain the participation form for the EMS program. Should you wish to discuss your company’s participation further, please do not hesitate to contact Brett Keeping on 0417 678 520,
HVWIA WASTE WATER SURVEY
As members may be aware, the HVWIA’s Winemaking Sub-Committee is developing a Waste Water Workshop, and as part of this they are asking members to complete a short survey to assist them with better understanding the current systems that are in use within the Valley, and advise of any issues that members may have.
Please click on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GLHPSG9 to download the survey. It will only take you five minutes to complete, and I ask that you complete the survey no later than Friday, 30 April. All responses will remain anonymous.
A Waste Water Workshop is scheduled to take place later this year, and will be designed around the needs of our membership. Should you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact Mike De Iuliis on 0417 462 975.
SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE SEMINAR
A one day Sustainable Viticulture Seminar is being held at Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, corner McDonalds and Broke Roads, Pokolbin on Tuesday, 18 May commencing at 8.00am to 5.00pm.
This invaluable training involves no cost to growers as it is fully reimbursed by the Federal Government under their FarmReady initiative. When applying for FarmReady all participants are required to register at least 5 days prior to course commencement. After course completion, participants have 30 days to fill out the course review form to claim the full amount of the course back, along with associated costs such as travel, accommodation, child care, food allowance up to a cap of $500.00.
To confirm your attendance at the seminar, please contact Melissa Romeyn by telephone on 02 4991 4533 or by email at info@winehuntervalley.org.au to obtain the registration form and FarmReady guidelines. Bookings are essential and numbers are limited.
NEW MEMBER
Siobhan Barry, AGL Energy Limited, 1 Oakley Lane, Broke 2330.
UPDATE IN REGARD TO TAXATION ISSUES
The HVWIA has received correspondence from the NSW Wine Industry Association (NSWWIA) following their representation made to The Hon. Ian Macdonald, MLC, Minister for State & Regional Development, in regard to the NSW Wine Industry’s concerns at possible changes in the taxation arrangements applying to the wine industry, following the Henry Review.
The Hon. Ian Macdonald has informed the NSWWIA that he shares their concerns at the potential impacts on the Industry of a move to an alcohol content/volumetric tax on wine, and particularly recognises that such a change would have serious effects on smaller wineries, inland irrigated regions, the related tourism industry and regional economies generally. Minister Macdonald also recognises that the wine industry is currently facing a range of challenges to its competitiveness, and that proposed mooted changes to taxation would significantly exacerbate these challenges. Mr Macdonald has therefore written to his Commonwealth counterparts highlighting these concerns, and requesting that they are taken into account in the Commonwealth’s deliberations on this matter.
The Minister for Primary Industries, The Hon. Steve Whan, MP, has also written to the NSWWIA advising that he has written to his Federal counterpart the Hon. Tony Burke, MP, seeking his support when the Commonwealth considers this matter.
The Henry Review will be released this Sunday, 2 May. The Federal Government’s views on the Review’s recommendations are also expected to be released at that time. The Association will ensure members are kept informed as this matter progresses.
UPDATE IN REGARD TO THE HUNTER WATER – CESSNOCK WATER SUPPLY UPGRADE
At a recent community group meeting, Hunter Water presented further information in regard to the potential placement of a water reservoir in the 1(v) area. I recommend that members with land within the Mount View and Marrowbone Road areas visit www.hunterwater.com.au, and view the minutes and photo montages which gives a clearer picture of the visuals of the reservoirs. Comments are welcome, and can be made direct to Hunter Water or via the HVWIA’s office.
CELLAR DOOR SOCIAL GET-TOGETHER
The next scheduled HVWIA Cellar Door Get-Together is being held on Thursday, 24 June 2010 at Constable Estate Vineyards commencing at 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Would you please ensure that staff within your organisation are informed. Further details will be forthcoming shortly.
HUNTER VALLEY BREATHE MAGAZINE
Our Breathe Magazine is now available online. For the last two months, the Association has improved access to the Breathe Magazine by placing it on-line. The trial has been a great success, with fabulous feedback from members and consumers.
Following this success, the Marketing Sub-Committee agreed that an on-going subscription is essential. We encourage all members to send the below link to your customers and colleagues as this is an effective way to further circulate the magazine and increase our distribution Australia wide.
Please click on the following link to view the latest edition of the Breathe Magazine.
http://issuu.com/huntervalleybreathe/docs/hunter_valley_breathe_autumn_2010_issue_
If you are interested in advertising in this publication, please contact Melinda Kelly at the Association’s office by email at events@winehuntervalley.org.au for a Breathe Media Kit.
DRUMMUSTER PROGRAM
DrumMuster will be taking place in the Hunter throughout the month of May. Members are reminded that all containers must be free of any visible chemical residue, clean and dry. Metal drums should be punctured and lids removed, and bookings are essential.
Please contact your local Council in regard to location and times of your DrumMuster collection – Cessnock City Council 1300 005 872, Maitland City Council on 4934 9611, Muswellbrook Shire Council 02 6542 5706, Singleton Shire Council on 02 6572 3087 and Upper Hunter Shire Council on 0429 046 948.
CONFERENCE
The Wine Eng2010 “Supporting Innovation in Winemaking” Conference and Exhibition is being held in the Barossa on Wednesday and Thursday, 19 and 20 May. This year’s exhibition will provide a whole range of opportunities to learn, discuss and view innovative solutions to the on-going winery challenges. For more information or to register, please visit www.wea.org.au.
The 14 th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference is being held in Adelaide from Saturday, 3 July to Thursday, 8 July 2010. The Australian grape and wine sector’s premier technical conference for winemakers, grape growers and other wine industry professionals features formal sessions and colloquia covering all aspects of grape and wine production from the vineyard to the consumer. For further details in regard to the program and workshop session times, please visit www.awitc.com.au.
WORKSHOPS
A Biodynamic Workshop is being held at Krinklewood Vineyard on Saturday and Sunday, 29 and 30 May. This annual event focuses on how to bring fertility and balance to the soil, ultimately to grow healthier plants and healthier produce. Sharing a wealth of knowledge and experience on biodynamics, the event will be led by Hamish Mackay who has 35 years experience and John Priestley who is third generation organic farmer, and 50 years experience in Biodynamics. John Priestley owns and manages the J&D Citrus Biodynamic Orange Farm in the Upper Hunter. He is committed to changing public perceptions that organic produce is ‘spotty or rotten looking’. His oranges are bright and blemish-free, a direct reflection of his healthy soil and trees which are farmed biodynamically. Hamish Mackay is seeing more vineyards experimenting with aspects of biodynamics in an effort to build ecology and nutrition, and increase water retention of their soil. Hosted by Rod Windrim at Krinklewood Vineyard , these three come together as a highly experienced and approachable biodynamic team. For further details, please contact Krinklewood Vineyard at info@krinklewood.com or call Biodynamic Educator Hamish Mackay on 02 6655 9853 or office@biodynamics2024.com.au.
The NSW Government Industry and Investment is funding a workshop and business mentoring program designed to help small to medium wine business owners build profitable, and sustainable wine businesses. The workshop is being held in Sydney from Monday, 31 May to Tuesday, 1 June 2010. Please find attached correspondence in regard to this upcoming workshop. Each firm attending the “Building a Profitable, Sustainable Wine Business” workshop will get 10 hours of one on one business mentoring for free paid for by the NSW Government, and delivered by Wine Business Solutions provided they meet certain minimal requirements. To register your attendance at this workshop, please contact Peter McAtamney at Wine Business Solutions by telephone on 02 9744 8332.
WINE SHOWS
Entries for the Boutique Wine Awards are now open. For more information and an application form, please visit www.boutiquewines.com.au. Entries for Australian wines close on 11 June 2010.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Please click on the following link to view the latest edition of the United Grower Newsletter – April 2010.
http://www.wgga.com.au/news/united_grower/WGGAUnitedGrowererApril%202010.pdf
Should you require any further clarification in regard to the content, please contact the Association’s office by email at info@winehuntervalley.org.au or by telephone on 02 4991 4533.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Optim Legal - Are You Looking to Protect your Brand?
Optim Legal is a full service commercial law firm, which includes intellectual property and trademark registration services. Their trademark attorney and lawyer has extensive experience in assisting clients in the alcoholic beverage industries. Attached to this newsletter is some useful information that they have provided about registering trade marks in the wine industry. Please contact Lucy Meadley at Optim Legal by email at lucy.meadley@optimlegal.com.au or by telephone on 0423 862 708 if you have any questions about your branding. Alternatively, you can view their website page by visiting www.optimlegal.com.au.
This is a paid advertisement.
Hunter-V-Tec - Skills Training
Hunter-V-Tec (a division of Hunter Valley Training Company Pty Ltd) the skills training centre basedat Maitland assists many young people each year to find rewarding career opportunities by placing them as either Apprentices or Trainees within local businesses. Please find attached correspondence as to how Hunter-V-Tec can assist your company in regard to employing a trainee or apprentice within your business. For further information, please contact John ONeill at the Maitland office on 02 4932 4184.
This is a paid advertisement.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Members are invited to attend the Hunter Chefs & Co. Members Networking Luncheon being held on Monday, 3 May at Esca Bimbadgen, McDonalds Road, Pokolbin commencing at 12.00 noon. Please confirm your attendance at the luncheon by contacting Samantha Glover by email at mail@hunterchefs.com.au or by telephone on 0414 805 728. This cost is $55.00 for members of the Hunter Chefs & Co. and $70.00 for non members.
Cessnock Safety & Security Expo
Cessnock City Council, as part of its Crime Prevention Plan, is hosting a Security and Safety Expo. The aim of the day is to promote Crime Prevention strategies to both business owners and residents. The expo is being held on Wednesday, 26 May 2010 at the Cessnock Rugby League Supporters Club. Entry to the event is free. People are encouraged to visit the expo anytime between 1.00pm and 6.00pm. Over 20 companies will showcase their products to the community as part of the Security and Safety Expo.
HIGHLIGHTS OF DISCUSSION FROM THE HVWIA’S APRIL COMMITTEE MEETING:
· 2010/2011 membership renewal correspondence will be forwarded to members next week. Please contact the Association’s office if you require assistance completing this form.
· The Viticulture Sub-Committee has drafted a discussion paper in regard to the criteria for the Hunter Valley Old Vine/Heritage Register. The Association has endorsed their proposal, and the sub-committee has forwarded the discussion paper to the Hunter Valley Legends for comment.
· The HVWIA will be calling a members meeting shortly in regard to certification trademarks for Mount View and Belford, and the proposed Rules of Use. All members are encouraged to participate in this discussion.
Regards
Greg West
Secretary
