Australian winegrape production is forecast to increase by 5 per cent to 1.61 million tonnes in 2012–13, assuming favourable seasonal conditions and a return to more average yields. According to Australian Wine Grape Production Projections, released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) today, production is projected to increase further in 2013-14 to 1.63 million tonnes. ABARES executive director, Paul Morris, said if these increases are realised they would represent some improvement on the less than ideal growing conditions experienced by growers in 2011-12, reports the Stock Journal.

McLaren Vale traders are tipped to benefit from changes to this year’s Sea and Vines Festival, with extra events planned in the township to lure festival-goers to shops. McLaren Vale Business Association member David Cavanagh said local shops had missed out on the extra trade in past years, with visitors sticking to wineries, reports Southern Times Messenger. “During Sea and Vines, the businesses feel they don’t get any benefit because people come into the area, go to the wineries and then go home,” Mr Cavanagh said. “This year there will be more events around the town on the Saturday, so there will hopefully be more benefit for the nearby businesses.”

More Millennials than ever before are drinking wine at least once a month, according to new research presented by Invictus Marketing, a Napa based interactive marketing agency. The research shows an astounding 35% of older Millennials between the ages of 25-34 drink wine at least once a month, representing the second largest age group of wine drinkers. The largest age group of wine drinkers are individuals between the ages of 55-64, of which 35.2% drink one at least once a month, reports Seattle PI.

Australia’s Peter Lehmann Wines have switched distribution from Enotria to Hallgarten Druitt. The Barossa Valley wine company wants to expand its independent and on-trade channels and build stronger relationships with its major customers, reports Harpers Wine & Spirit. Jeff Bond, Peter Lehmann’s general manager, said: “We share a similar philosophy [with Hallgarten] on how best to deliver premium wine to consumers and this new relationship will help us respond to the ever-changing needs of the UK market.”

Two North Shore events which for years have drawn thousands of visitors and raised money for charity are despairing at the loss of funding lifelines from the Super City’s tourism and events promoters. Devonport Food & Wine Festival and NZ Sculpture OnShore organisers and volunteers were last night upset at having funding applications rejected, reports The New Zealand Herald.

The new four-bedroom architecturally designed guest accommodation at Cloudy Bay Estate in Jacksons Rd, near Blenheim, is a shack in name only. The Shack is for special Cloudy Bay guests such as distributors, wine writers, wine sellers and VIPs, to enjoy a complete Marlborough experience and the serenity of staying on a vineyard. Cloudy Bay events and wine communications manager Stephanie McIntyre said The Shack harks back to the name of the original A-framed home, where the founders of Cloudy Bay came up with their wine label, reports the Marlborough Express.

Seven New Zealand wine brands have secured places in the recently announced Top 50 ‘World’s Most Admired Wine Brands’ list by the drinks journal Drinks International. Brancott Estate, Oyster Bay, Cloudy Bay, Villa Maria, Babich, Wither Hills, and Nobilo are listed alongside international brands such as Penfolds, Michel Chapoutier, and Chateau Margaux as being leading players in the global wine industry, reports Voxy News.

South Australian food and wine is under the spotlight as part of the Tasting Australia Festival. Well-known cook Stephanie Alexander hosted a lunch for 150 people at a Coonawarra winery over the weekend. Events have also been held in other regions across the state, including a long lunch in the Barossa Valley and a seafood feast in Port Lincoln. Karen Ronning, from Zema Estate at Coonawarra, says more ‘foodie’ events are planned this week, with renowned chef Guy Grossi holding a cooking demonstration, reports ABC News.

One of the world’s great vineyards has been excluded from the zone aimed at protecting the Barossa Valley wine region from future development. The Henschke winery, which produces the world-famous Hill of Grace – the main competitor to Grange and a wine drunk by the Queen in Australia last year – is excluded from the zone, reports the Herald Sun.

The heated supermarket wars have spilt over into the sale of Australia’s most prestigious and luxurious wine, Penfolds Grange, with Coles, Woolworths and new player Costco jostling to offer the lowest price possible for the latest release of Penfolds Grange 2007. The 2007 Grange will be released on Thursday morning nationwide and is one of the most anticipated wine releases of the year, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.