Wine seminar

The impressive line up of guest speakers includes Lawrie Standford from the Australian Wine and Brand Corporation, Amy Russell from the Winemakers Federation Australia, Dr Linda Thomson from the Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research (CESAR), Dr Martina Bernard from the University of Melbourne and Dr Chris Penfold from Adelaide University.

As a real life case study, Prue Henschke from Henschke Wines in Keyneton, South Australia will talk about how an environmental plan has benefited her viticulture operations.

The Western Victoria Viticulture Seminar is being organised by the Grampians Winemakers Inc committee.

Committee member and viticulturist at Seppelt Winery Great Western, Andrea Hart said the purpose of the seminar was to up-skill the industry in environmental management of vineyards.

"Most Australian produce is seen as clean and green and this gives us a competitive edge internationally,'' said Ms Hart.

"The need to manage vineyards in an environmentally sustainable manner is critical to the long-term future of our wine regions and to our ability to access these markets.''

Ms Hart said the Seminar would provide important information about the market pressures which drove the need for improved environmental management.

"We aim to provide information that enables grape growers and winemakers in the Western portion of Victoria to better understand their place in the national and international wine market,'' she said.

Event organisers expect attendance from the Grampians and Pyrenees wine regions, the Geelong, Ballarat, Maryborough, Bendigo and Henty regions, as well as South Australia.

"It's difficult for grape growers away from major centres to access high calibre speakers for information sharing, physical demonstrations and knowledge exchanges,'' Ms Hart said.

"Seminars such as this provide this access and build on local expertise.''