June 2008

I am pleased to advise that the Inaugural Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association’s Annual General Meeting was held on Friday, 13 June 2008, and was attended by approximately 60 members. Your support is appreciated, and we look forward to working with all members to continue to develop the interests of the Hunter Valley winemaking and grape growing industry.

The following representatives were appointed to the 2008 HVWIA Committee: Ken Bray from Braemore Wines, Will Creedon from Tallawanta Wines, Brett Keeping from Two Rivers, Bob Kennedy from Beyond Broke Vineyard, Geoff Krieger from Brokenwood Wines, Andrew Margan from Beltree Vineyard, Peter Orr from James Estate, Andrew Thomas from Thomas Wines, Christina Tulloch from Tulloch Wines, Bruce Tyrrell from Tyrrell’s Vineyards and Greg West from McWilliam’s Mt. Pleasant.

I would like to thank Suzanne Little from The Little Wine Company, Paul Stuart from Eclectic Wines, and Peter Gogarty from Jackson’s Hill Vineyard for nominating for the Committee, and we look forward to your continued involvement with the Association.

Patrick Auld, Keith Tulloch and Chris Elsmore did not stand for election for the Committee in 2008. On behalf of the Association, I would like to thank Patrick, Keith (Chairman of the Winemaking Sub-Committee) and Chris Elsmore (Chairman of the Licensing Sub-Committee) for their support and contribution to the Association, and the Hunter Valley Wine Industry.

The Association’s first meeting of the 2008 HVWIA Committee was held on the 18 June 2008, and the following were appointed as the executive:

Geoff Krieger, President

Christina Tulloch, Secretary

Bruce Tyrrell, Treasurer

Andrew Margan, Vice-President.

The Chairpersons of the sub-committees were also appointed, and they are outlined below:

Finance Sub-Committee – Bruce Tyrrell (Treasurer)

Marketing Sub-Committee

Trade & Communications, Andrew Margan (Chairperson)

Cellar Door & Events, Greg West (Chairperson)

Policy Sub-Committee – Will Creedon (Chairperson)

Strategic Direction Sub-Committee – Robert Kennedy (Chairperson)

Viticulture Sub-Committee – Ken Bray (Chairperson)

Winemaking Sub-Committee – Andrew Thomas (Chairperson).

Members are encouraged to contact the appropriate chairpersons to become actively involved in the HVWIA’s sub-committees by email at info@winehuntervalley.org.au or by telephone on (02) 4991 4533.

2008/2009 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Members are asked to return their completed 2008/2009 membership form, with 50% payment of fees to the Association’s office on or before 30 June 2008.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Association’s office if you require any assistance with completing your membership form by email at info@winehuntervalley.org.au or by telephone on (02) 4991 4533.

INVITATION TO EXHIBIT AT THE 2008 HUNTER VALLEY WINE SHOW

Please find attached an invitation to exhibit your wines in the Clear Image 2008 Hunter Valley Wine Show. Clear Image is the major sponsor supporting both the Wine Show and Presentation Dinner, and further details in regard to their products and services can be viewed at www.clearimage.com.au.

Members are encouraged to visit www.hunterwineshow.com.au to download a copy of the 2008 Schedule. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly McCormack, the Show’s Secretary, by email at secretary@hunterwineshow.com.au.

PROMOTIONS UPDATE

Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month

The Inaugural Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month was a great success. The event generated in excess of $450,000 in media exposure for the events, the wines, and the region as a destination. Visitation to the area was up 12.4% for the month, with cellar door visitations increased by 9.8%.

Thank you to all the companies that supported the event in its first year, with fabulous wine tasting events, dinners and lunches and accommodation packages.

Hunter Valley Legends Dinner

The 2 nd Annual Hunter Valley Legends Dinner and Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards were a great success. The dinner, held at Wyndham Estate on the 29 May 2008, announced the Hunter Valley Wine Industry award recipients for 2008. Congratulations to:-

• Hunter Valley Living Legend – Brian McGuigan
• Winemaker of the Year – Andrew Thomas from Thomas Wines
• Viticulturist of the Year – Ken Bray from Braemore Wines
• Cellar Door of the Year – McWilliams Mt. Pleasant Winery
• Rising Star of the Year – Usher Tinkler from Pooles Rock Wines.

Thank you to the team at Wyndham Estate, and the dinner Committee: Rowena Hawkins, Gus Maher, Brad Russ, Michelle Preece and Nora McWilliam for ensuring the evening was a great success.

Good Food and Wine Show – Sydney

The Good Food and Wine Show – Sydney was a huge success with a large growth in numbers for 2008. Our collaborative Hunter Valley stand ensured a strong cross section of Hunter Valley products to include a mix of boutique and iconic wine brands, cheeses, boutique beers and tourism information. Our positioning ensured good visitation and interest for the Hunter Valley at the show.

This year the foul mouthed Gordon Ramsey headlined the Cooking Theatre proving to be extremely popular with advanced ticket sales of 21,000, and attracting a great demographic of food and wine loving consumers. The companies on board reported strong sales, and member and database acquisition. Visitation to the event was reported to be in excess of 40,000 people.

Good Food and Wine Show – Brisbane

Riding on the success of the 2008 Good Food and Wine Show in Sydney, we are inviting companies to join the Hunter Valley stand at the Brisbane event. Queensland is a lucrative market for both Hunter Valley wine, and the Hunter Valley as a destination. Wineries are able to sell wine directly from the stand, take orders for dispatch from their winery, promote their distribution within the Brisbane market, and grow their wine clubs and databases.

Once again, we have a fabulous location for our stand. If you have not received an invitation to participate, please contact Rowena Hawkins by email at promotions@winehuntervalley.org.au.

Breathe Hunter Style Magazine

The Winter edition of the Breathe Magazine is now at the printers and due for circulation the first week in July. This issue introduces readers to our 2007 Hunter Valley Legends, as well as some of the locals that they will meet when visiting the region with our regular features on food, art, golf and gardening.

Please contact Rowena Hawkins if you have any feedback or would like details for advertising in the magazine by email at promotions@winehuntervalley.org.au or by telephone on (02) 4991 4533.

Jazz, Wine and Food featuring Hunter Uncorked at Shoal Bay Resort

The Jazz, Wine and Food Festival will be held from Friday, 5 September to Sunday 7 September 2008 at the Shoal Bay Resort and Spa.

The event includes the Rising Stars Dinner in Catch Restaurant on the Friday evening, and a two day wine and food fair held on the foreshore of Port Stephens on the Saturday and Sunday.

Hunter Uncorked will once again be a part of the weekend’s events, with wine and produce stalls being managed through the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association‘s offices. The participation also includes opportunities for ‘wine of the month’ and winemaker dinners at the Resort in the following twelve (12) months. An invitation to participate will be forwarded in the coming weeks; and we look forward to strong support from members.

The 2008 Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show Dinner

The invitations for the 2008 Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show dinner have now been forwarded. Clear Image has joined the Hunter Valley Wine Show as naming rights sponsors. This support will ensure a professional wine show, and a fabulous awards dinner.

Please return your dinner reservation form, with full payment, to the Association’s office as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

2009 Hunter Semillon & Seafood, Pokolbin

The dates for the Hunter Semillon and Seafood 2009 event have been announced, with the event being held from Friday, 17 April to Sunday, 19 April, 2009. Please place these dates in your diaries and event calendars, and assist us in promoting this event by including details in your member and wine club communications.

GRAHAM GREGORY AWARD

Nominations for the annual Graham Gregory Award are currently being called. This award is an acknowledgement of the contribution made by a nominee within the NSW Wine Industry Association, and nominations must address the criteria as outlined on the attached nomination form.

Please return your completed nomination form to Delia Dray, Director – Intensive Industries Development, at the NSW Department of Primary Industries by email at delia.dray@dpi.nsw.gov.au or by facsimile on (02) 6391 3605 by Monday, 11 August 2008.

CHEMICAL CARD TRAINING

The NSW Farmers Association is conducting a Chemical Card Training course in Maitland on Thursday, 28 August 2008. Initial accreditation requires home study, plus a one day workshop. The refresher course requires home study, plus a three hour workshop. Training is nationally accredited, and is recognised by the Department of Environment & Conservation as meeting the requirements of the Pesticides Act; chemical resellers and APVMA, and all training providers at AQF3 level.

Please contact Robyn Diamond at the NSW Farmers Association by telephone on (02) 6884 8822, or by email at training@nswfarmers.org.au to confirm your attendance.

Members are also advised that Chemical Card Refresher training can be completed on-line eliminating the need to attend courses. More information can be obtained by contacting course providers.

BASELINE BLOOD TESTING

As members would be aware, the Association will be conducting Baseline Blood Testing on Wednesday, 16 July and Wednesday, 23 July 2008 at both Cessnock and Denman Hospitals, and the cost will be $60.50 for members and $82.50 for non members (GST inclusive).

Please note, if any person has been baseline tested in the last few years that it is not necessary to be re-tested in 2008.

Members interested in participating in the program are asked to contact Melissa Romeyn at the Association’s office by email at info@winehuntervalley.org.au or by telephone on (02) 4991 4533 as soon as possible.

MEDIA RELEASES

Please find attached Media Releases from the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia in regard to the WFA 2008 Vintage Survey Report, and the 2008 Wine Industry Outlook Conference for your information.

If you require any further details, please do not hesitate to contact Penny Boothman at the WFA by email at penny@wfa.org.au.

ROADSHOW

The Finlaysons Roadshow XVI – “Getting the Blend Right” is being held in the Hunter on Friday, 8 August 2008 at the Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens, corner of McDonalds and Broke Roads, Pokolbin commencing 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm. This Roadshow is ideal for small wine businesses operated as a partnership between two families or branches of the one family? Or is a family company with an external investor? Or are you thinking of taking a private investor into your wine business?

Running a company with two or more shareholders is very different to operating a wine business owned solely by family, and the Finlaysons Wine Roadshow XVI will give you tools to make this work.

For more details, please contact Patricia Huish at Finlaysons by email at patricia.huish@finlaysons.com.au or by telephone on (08) 8235 7450.

EXHIBITIONS

The China International Wine & Liquor Expo 2008 is being held at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre from Friday, 26 September to Sunday, 28 September 2008. For further information regarding this exhibition, please contact Melissa Romeyn at the Association’s office by email at info@winehuntervalley.org.au.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Australia Inc. (ICCIA) is promoting EIMA 2008, the International Exhibition of Machinery for Agriculture Exhibition, being held from Wednesday, 12 November to Sunday, 16 November 2008. The Association has been informed that accommodation packages have been facilitated by the ICCIA to assist members attendance at this event. For details please do not hesitate to contact Silvia Selmo at the ICCIA by telephone on (02) 9262 5744 or by email at sselmo@icciaus.com.au.

TUTORIAL

The next scheduled Len Evans Tutorial is being held from Monday, 3 November to Friday, 7 November 2008 at Tower Lodge, Pokolbin. Applications close on Friday, 5 September 2008, and further information can be obtained by visiting www.lenevanstutorial.com.au.

ADVERTISEMENT

For Sale – 1500 litre variable fermenter tank with external chiller plate, floating lid and top cover. For further details, please contact Bill Pritchard on 0428 677 570.

HIGHLIGHTS OF DISCUSSION FROM THE HVWIA’S COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN JUNE 2008:

· The HVWIA will be receiving the assets from WHM on or before the 1 July 2008.

· Cleanaway has set up a cardboard and paper collection point at Ironbark Hill Vineyard in Pokolbin for a three month trial period, and if successful this facility may be extended to other sub-regions.

· An Induction Program was carried out for the 2008 newly elected Committee Members.

· The Association is currently liaising with the Department of Gaming & Racing in regard to conducting an information seminar for members to address the changes within the 2008 Liquor Bill.

· The Department of Primary Industries and the HVWIA is proposing to conduct a Queensland Fruit Fly workshop for members on the 20 August 2008, and details will be circulated shortly.

Regards

Christina Tulloch