The work of New England wine producers is hard yakka. From production to harvesting, processing, bottling and marketing, it is all on their heads and current market forces are adding to the challenges.
At Darryl and Robyn Carter’s Whyworry Wines just west of Uralla on the Kingstown Road, the labour-intensive task of pruning is underway, as it is in many New England vineyards.
Born at the turn of the millennium, Whyworry Wines has gradually increased its vines, varieties, accolades and reputation over the past dozen years. Like many industries, the current financial climate has made business tough for wine growers, particularly the likes of the boutique producers in the New England region, according to Mr Carter.
“We’ve got to compete with imported wines and, due to the desperate financial conditions in many other countries, they are actually selling wine into Australia well below production cost (theirs and ours).”
The dumping of wine from European countries on the domestic market has made the struggle for the region’s vignerons even harder. “People see France, Italy or even New Zealand on a bottle of wine and it grabs their attention. Those wines are sold for a hell of a lot less at our discount liquor chain stores than they sell for in their countries of origin.
“Local bottleshops stock local wines, but the large cut-price liquor outlet in Armidale doesn’t carry any New England produce, as it needs a guaranteed large volume supply across the chain,” Mr Carter said. “Nobody in this region can supply four or five hundred pallets of one variety. We have quality, not quantity in this region, with the larger producers probably up to the 20 pallet mark.
“There is some top quality wine being produced in the New England. Top awards and recognition are evidence of that. Just before Christmas, Whyworry Wines won National and State medals. So, we’ve proved that we can do it well. We just need locals (as well as visitors) to come, try and buy the local wines. We are equal to Australia’s best, here in the New England.
“We (New England wine producers) are proud of the industry that we’ve developed. We’d love to see that pride reflected more in our local communities.”
