Bendigo Wine Region News

Putting Richness Into Bendigo’s Rich Ripe Reds

20 February 2008

The Bendigo region is keen to regain its international standing by promoting itself as a producer of Rich Ripe Reds.  With the support of a State Government “Network to Success – Moving Forward” grant of $14,820, the Bendigo Winegrowers Association is thrilled to be providing its members with a unique opportunity to learn more about how to enhance the wine quality across the region.

The funds have been allocated to a “Putting the Richness into Rich Ripe Reds” seminar and tour.  The seminar begins tomorrow, Thursday 21st February in the BRIT Library with a selection of prominent speakers, mostly from South Australia, offering valuable insights across a range of topics.  These include –

• Overview of Bendigo region wine style and quality presented by viticulturalist John Whiting
• Impact of climate change on the Bendigo region presented by Dr Leanne Webb from CSIRO
• Managing phenolics and tannins in the vineyard presented by Dr Mark Downey from the Department of Primary Industry
• Fermentation strategies for optimising aroma & flavour presented by Dr Paul Henschke from the Australian Wine Research Institute
• Winemaking practices to produce desired wine styles by Geoff Cowey from the Australian Wine Research Institute

The second day of the program on Friday 22nd February involves a tour of tour of the region’s wineries, Turners Crossing, Balgownie Estate, Water Wheel Vineyards and BlackJack Vineyards.

The “Putting the Richness into Rich Ripe Reds” project is designed to support strategic marketing and previous branding exercises by upgrading the skills of the vignerons to produce wines of consistent quality and style.

“There are a large number of new growers and winemakers in the region and this seminar will be beneficial for them and also for our more established vignerons.  Being aware of trends and wine quality issues allows us all to improve where needed and to continue to raise the profile of the wine produced here in the Bendigo region,” said Paul Greblo, President of Bendigo Winegrowers Association.

The Bendigo Winegrowers Association currently has 39 members and each operates a vineyard in the Bendigo region.

ENDS………..

For interviews or photographs please contact Aileen Walsh on 0407 706769.