Australia is becoming a more important trading partner for South Korea, even with the KAFTA between the two countries a little more than a year old. Business Korea was able to sit down with Patrick Stringer, Commissioner for Victoria to the Republic of Korea, and speak with him about the relationship between South Korea and Australia’s most populous state. Patrick has served for 10 years representing Australian trade in Asia in Hanoi, Shanghai, and now Seoul.

Almost all Tasmanian wine grapes produced his year sold for a profit, while nationally 85 per cent made a loss, a report has found. The 2015 National Wine Grape Vintage Report also found Tasmania was the most profitable region in Australia. The local industry has worked hard to find new markets before increasing production, meaning demand is outstripping supply. Sheralee Davies from Wine Tasmania said the news was bad for most interstate producers.

The Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) has announced tighter rules on the use and display of wine show medals following a recent review into the existing Code of Practice for the Display of Awards. Tony Battaglene WFA strategy and international affairs general manager said tightening the code would be of particular interest to national, state and regional show organisations around the country as well as winemakers, retailers and consumers.

The South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) in collaboration with the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) will provide the Productivity Commission with feedback from the wine industry after a draft report was released flagging some proposed changes to the IR system. Productivity Commission hearings into workplace relations reform and a second round of submissions will give the Australian wine industry more opportunities to highlight IR issues.

The largest research and development program undertaken by the New Zealand wine industry is under way, in the hopes of putting New Zealand at the forefront for high quality, naturally produced ”lifestyle” low-alcohol and low-calorie wines. But what role does Central Otago have to play? Liam Cavanagh reports. Before winning the Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the Year competition last month, Mike Winter gave a speech at the annual black-tie winemakers Feraud dinner in Cromwell.

A Hunter Valley vigneron is excited about this year’s wine vintage, but warns that forecast dry conditions could pose issues for winemakers. It may have been a long, cold winter in the NSW Hunter Valley, but that hasn’t stopped the region’s vignerons from working tirelessly to ensure the next year’s wine vintage is a ‘corker’. Winemakers are currently pruning their dormant vines to ensure growth is ideal when the warm weather arrives.

Working in the family business was a lonely experience for Gordon Vogtherr. “I couldn’t get away from my father because I lived and worked with him 24 hours a day,” he said. “I didn’t really have any friends but I have a lot to be thankful for. All I have, I have to thank my father for.” The Holly Bacon Company was founded in Hastings in 1914 and the transition from the second to third generation was smooth because Gordon’s father took ill in 1961.

Swinney Vineyards and former head winemaker with Hardy’s and Constellation, Peter Dawson, have established a partnership to buy the Powderbark Ridge vineyard. Powderbark, in Frankland River, is one of the Great Southern’s most reputable vineyards. Matt Swinney, the executive director of Swinney Vineyards, told TheShout: “Powderbark has a reputation for producing very high quality fruit so we are obviously keen to maintain that and to enhance quality where we can.”

Australian wine legend, Chris Hancock, has released the first wines under his own label, Hancock & Hancock, along with his brother John, based at their McLaren Vale South Australia vineyard, La Colline. The two red wines released this month comprise a Shiraz Grenache and a Cabernet Touriga from the 2014 McLaren Vale vintage. Winemaker Hancock told TheShout, they plan to take on the crowded wine market by producing interesting blends that are immediately drinkable.

ABOUT 14 years after suffering a demoralising takeover, the tenacious Croser family has its Adelaide Hills winery back — and has opened a new Piccadilly Valley cellar door. According to Lucy, one of three Croser daughters, this time it’s back for good. “We will be keeping it in the family from now on,’’ she said. Lucy was in her early 20s when she had to watch her parents crumple in sadness during the takeover. “My dad was devastated, the label was lost, but we always hoped to get the land back.