Leslie Massey
Australia's table grape industry is one of the country's most valuable horticultural industries, with a value of over $900 million in FY2022/23. Grapevines are found across four main regions in Australia: Mundubbera, Emerald and St George in Queensland, and the Sunraysia region on the New South Wales/Victoria border. However, grapes are grown in all states of Australia except Tasmania, with the largest production occurring in the temperate zone. The major growing regions for eating grapes in Australia include Sunraysia and the Murray Valley in Victoria, south-eastern Queensland, Carnarvon and Swan Valley in Western Australia, the Riverina district in central New South Wales, the South Australian Riverland, and central Northern Territory.
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What You'll Learn
Grape varieties grown in Australia
Australia's geographical spread, production, and temperate climate allow for a number of major grape-growing regions. The grape varieties grown in Australia include green/white, red, and black grapes. There are over 8000 grape varieties worldwide, with more than 40 varieties grown in Australia for fresh consumption. The four most popular varieties are Thompson Seedless, Menindee Seedless, Crimson Seedless, and Red Globe.
Grapevines in Australia are found across four regions: Mundubbera, Emerald, and St George in Queensland, and the Sunraysia region on the New South Wales/Victoria border. The combined total of grapevines in these regions is over 24,000 acres. More than 60 varieties of table grapes are grown in Australia, including Midnight Beauty and Autumn Crisp brand grapes. All of these varieties are seedless and have their own unique flavour profile.
In addition to the major growing regions of Sunraysia and the Murray Valley in Victoria, other grape-growing regions in Australia include southeastern Queensland, Carnarvon and Swan Valley in Western Australia, the Riverina district in central New South Wales, the South Australian Riverland, and central Northern Territory.
The growth cycle of grapevines in Australia typically begins in September with bud break or bud burst in the Spring. This is followed by a month of vegetative growth, after which the vines develop tight bunches of tiny flowers that are pollinated by bees. The time of flowering depends on the temperature, and each flower has the potential to turn into a grape berry. Once the flowers have been pollinated, a tiny green sphere emerges at the end of the stem during the fruit set stage, which quickly follows flowering. This stage is crucial for grape growers as it determines the potential crop yield.
While the vast volume of wine made in Australia comes from just a handful of varieties, there are also alternative grape varieties used commercially, such as Tempranillo and Sangiovese, which are becoming increasingly popular. Other alternative red wine varieties produced in Australia include Mencia from northwestern Spain and Dornfelder, a German-bred variety.
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Australian states with grape production
Grapevines are grown in all states of Australia, but most of the production occurs in the temperate zone. The three largest grape-producing states are South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
South Australia
The largest grape-producing state in Australia is South Australia, particularly in the Riverland region.
Victoria
Victoria is the second-largest grape-producing state, with the major growing regions of Sunraysia and the Murray Valley. The Sunraysia region, which is shared with New South Wales, accounts for more than 70% of the state's grape production. The Emerald region is another grape-growing region in Victoria.
New South Wales
New South Wales is the third-largest grape-producing state, with the major growing regions of the Riverina district and the Sunraysia region on the border with Victoria.
Queensland
Queensland is a significant grape-producing state, with the Mundubbera, Emerald, and St. George regions as the major growing areas.
Western Australia
Western Australia is also a notable grape producer, with Carnarvon and Swan Valley as the major growing regions.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is known for its grape production, with Central Northern Territory being the major growing region.
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Soil requirements for growing grapes
While grapevines can tolerate a range of sub-soils, from clay to more free-draining types, there are certain soil requirements that should be met for optimal grape growth in Australia.
Firstly, grapevines require healthy, fertile, and well-drained soil with lots of sun exposure. Well-drained soil is crucial to prevent waterlogging, which can negatively affect root growth and development. Sandy soils, for example, are well-drained and retain heat, making them suitable for grape cultivation. However, in regions with drought, sandy soils can be problematic as they drain too quickly and may not retain enough water for the vines.
The type of soil also influences the characteristics of the grapes through the supply of minerals and nutrients. For instance, volcanic soil, which is rich in specific minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, can impart a unique flavour to the grapes. Limestone soils are also renowned for producing high-quality grapes used in winemaking.
Most experts recommend loamy soil, a crumbly mix of sand, silt, and clay, as the ideal soil type for grape growing. Loamy soil combines the benefits of good drainage, moderate water retention, and a suitable pH range. It provides a balanced mix of nutrients and water, contributing to the overall health and productivity of the grapevines.
In addition to soil type and drainage, the pH level of the soil is also important. Grapes prefer a neutral to slightly acidic soil, so it is advisable to conduct a pH test before planting grapevines. By ensuring the soil meets the optimal pH range, growers can enhance the growth and quality of their grapevines.
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The growth cycle of grapes
Grapevines are deciduous, woody perennial plants, and their annual growth cycle is similar to other such plants. However, there are some differences in managing grapevines cultivated for commercial production. The annual growth cycle of grapevines is the process that takes place in the vineyard each year, beginning with bud break in the spring and culminating in leaf fall in autumn, followed by winter dormancy.
Bud Break
The grape starts its annual growth cycle in the spring with bud break. In the Southern Hemisphere, this stage begins around September when daily temperatures begin to surpass 10 °C (50 °F). Bud break can take place over a two-month period depending on the vine variety and vineyard location. During this stage, tiny buds on the vine start to swell, and eventually, shoots begin to grow from the buds.
Flowering
The flowering period can be as short as a day or two under warm, dry conditions or as long as a month under very cool, wet weather conditions. Flowering occurs when average daily temperatures stay between 15 and 20 °C (59 and 68 °F), which is generally around November in the Southern Hemisphere. After a month or so of vegetative growth, a vine will develop tight bunches of tiny flowers. Each flower has the potential to form a single grape berry.
Fruit Set
Following flowering, the now-pollinated flowers drop their petite petals, and a tiny, green sphere begins to emerge at the end of the stem. As these little grapes grow, bunches begin to take their familiar shape. Approximately five to seven weeks after fruit set, veraison begins.
Veraison
During veraison, berries expand further, begin to soften, and accumulate sugar. The colour of red cultivars is readily apparent, while the visual indicators of maturity on white cultivars are more subtle. During the next four to six weeks, sugar, pigments, and other flavour compounds increase in the maturing fruit, while organic acids decrease and change forms.
Harvest
On managed plantings, the veraison period ends with harvest. After harvest, grapevines continue to photosynthesize until frost if temperatures are warm enough. This is a very important period for the vines to accumulate carbohydrates for future growth.
Dormancy
At the end of the growth cycle, the grapevines enter a period of dormancy during winter. At this stage, growth and development pause temporarily. Growers still need to keep an eye on the vines, pruning them as required.
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The Australian table grape industry
In the Southern Hemisphere in Australia, the growth cycle of table grapes starts in September with bud break or bud burst in the spring. This is followed by a month of vegetative growth, then flowering, fruit set, and harvest. The harvest cycle starts in October in the Northern Territory and ends in May, with the bulk of production in the southern states of Victoria and New South Wales.
Table grapes are grown in six of Australia's eight states and territories, with production concentrated in Victoria and New South Wales. The Sunraysia and Murray Valley regions in Victoria account for over 70% of production, while the two Riverina areas in New South Wales account for 10%. These regions have a temperate climate, mild winters, and well-drained sandy loam soil, although vineyards are heavily dependent on irrigated water supplies. Other growing regions include Mundubbera, Emerald, and St George in Queensland, the New South Wales/Victoria border, the Riverina district in central New South Wales, the South Australian Riverland, and central Northern Territory.
There are more than 40 varieties of table grapes grown in Australia, with over 60 varieties in total, including seedless and unique PBR-protected varieties. The four most popular varieties are Thompson Seedless, Menindee Seedless, Crimson Seedless, and Red Globe. Asia accounts for nearly 95% of Australia's exports, and consumer preferences are influencing the varietal choices of growers, with a growing demand for seedless varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
Eating grapes, or table grapes, are grown in six of the eight states and territories in Australia.
Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory do not grow table grapes.
The major growing regions for table grapes in Australia are Sunraysia and the Murray Valley in Victoria, south-eastern Queensland, Carnarvon and Swan Valley in Western Australia, the Riverina district in central New South Wales, the South Australian Riverland, and central Northern Territory.
There are more than 40 varieties of table grapes grown in Australia, including Thompson Seedless, Menindee Seedless, Crimson Seedless, and Red Globe.
The table grape industry in Australia is valued at more than $900 million, with an estimated production of 200,000 tonnes of table grapes across 25,000 acres of grapes in 2021/22.
