THE direct trade impacts of Brexit on Australia’s agricultural sector are likely to be relatively contained, Rabobank says. In its June Agribusiness Monthly report, released today, the global agribusiness bank said with the UK along with the other 27 member states of the European Union only contributing a relatively small share of Australian food and agricultural exports — 1.4 per cent and 4.6 per cent respectively by value — the direct trade implications of the UK’s historic decision to leave the EU would be limited for the agricultural sector as a whole.

From the restaurant balcony of Hope Estate winery in the Hunter Valley, owner Michael Hope points down a sloping lawn to a huge concrete pad that in summer contains one of the largest stages in the southern hemisphere. “Can you believe the Rolling Stones performed down there?” he asks, as much a rock’n’roll fan as he is a businessman. “I still have to remind myself.”

ONE of the world’s most famous suburban vineyards, at the Magill-based Penfolds wine company, is getting a major makeover as part of the site’s ongoing redevelopment. About half of the 5.2 ha vineyard is being removed and will be re-planted with Shiraz clonal material from Penfolds’ Kalimna vineyard in the Barossa Valley. A Penfolds spokeswoman said the existing vines were more than half a century old and the rejuvenation work was a common practice in the wine-making business.

Australian wineries have until 5.00pm today (ACST) to participate in short survey aimed at getting a snapshot of current sulfur dioxide use in the industry. The survey is part of a broader article being compiled for the Wine & Viticulture Journal by the publication’s regular writer and winemaker Cathy Howard who will be exploring the current push for wineries to reduce sulfur levels.

Swedish appliances giant Electrolux has purchased Vintec, the Sydney-based wine fridge company, as its product becomes more mainstream in Australia’s kitchens. Vintec, based in Leichhardt in Sydney’s inner west, generates about $22 million in annual sales, with about 70 per cent of those coming from Australian buyers of the temperature-controlled wine cabinets. It is closely involved with an aggressive discounting promotion with Treasury Wine Estates, the owner of the Penfolds wine brand.

PRINCESS Mary had Clover Hill wines at her Danish wedding. Queen Elizabeth — on her most recent visit to Australia — enjoyed a Clover Hill sparkling at Melbourne’s Government House. So it was fitting that this year the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania awarded Clover Hill Tea Tree the Tasmania’s Vineyard of the Year, a competition where entrants are required to outline production aims and are judged on all aspects of management.

PATISSIER extraordinaire Adriano Zumbo, Masterchef’s Gary Mehigan and Spanish expat Miguel Maestre, who will be in Perth from July 8-10 for this year’s Good Food and Wine Show, named Margaret River as their favourite wine region in WA. Adriano said his ideal WA escape would be spending a few weeks in Margaret River, “eating, beaching, drinking and doing nothing.”

Being home to numerous renowned wine regions such as the Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley and Margaret River, it’s no secret that Australia is one of the world’s most exciting markets for wine. Although we locally produce a large variety of premium wines such as Shiraz and Chardonnay, Australians also have a taste for an array of imported wines from the globally acclaimed vineyards of France, Italy and Spain.

Ahead of the next Central Otago Export Forum, Jo McKenzie-McLean finds out how boutique winery Archangel Wines boosted its global reach with support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Archangel Wines had an ambitious, but simple goal when it was established in 2003 – to produce the best wine possible. Their efforts paid off. The first wine the family-owned business produced, the “Archangel Pinot Noir 2008”, won a gold medal at the first show it entered – the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

Dairy, meat and wine industries anticipate toll on sales as British vote strengthens currency and upsets market. New Zealand’s primary product exporters are in for a tough period if the local dollar retains its new-found strength against the pound and euro following Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.