Riverina winery avoids big grape price cut

The chief executive Casella Wines in south west New South Wales says the winery won't change its prices much for local grape growers, despite the looming grape glut.

Casella is yet to release its prices for the coming vintage, but Riverina growers are complaining some other wineries have offered unacceptably low prices this vintage.

John Casella says declining exports and an over-supply of grapes have pushed prices down, but his company won't necessarily follow.

"I've made a point of looking after growers, so there'll be minimal changes between last year's and this year's prices," he says.

"Like any situation you can take advantage of it, but generally I think Australian winemakers and grape growers are going to face some difficult times and they're going to need support."