29 October 2025
If you’re a grapegrower heading into the upcoming season and you do not currently have a contract in place for the upcoming vintage, now is the time to actively assess your options. With ongoing market uncertainty, oversupply and rising input costs, resting or removing vineyard blocks can be a practical and proactive strategy.
Below is a guide to key pathways, support services and planning tools to help you make an informed decision.
Resting your vineyard using ethephon to reduce yield
If you want to keep the vine structure intact, resting your vineyard using ethephon is a practical option. Applying ethephon between phenological stages E-L 25 and E-L 27 (approximately 80% cap-fall to young berry enlargement) can reduce yield, allowing you to cut back on inputs such as water, nutrition and sprays. This helps lower production costs while keeping the block ready for future production.
Further information on resting vineyards with ethephon is available in the recent eBulletin, fact sheet and webinar.
Block removal & returning land to level ground
For growers who believe there is no realistic contract pathway in the near-term, or who wish to reposition the land use entirely, this Guide for Vineyard Removal & Waste Management provides a step-by-step overview of the process. A companion Excel‐planning tool allows you to estimate costs based on local contractors and model different cost scenarios.
If the outlook is long-term low return, vineyard removal may help to reduce cost-drain and redeploy assets more flexibly.
What to do right now
If you do not have a contract for the sale of your grapes this season, it’s important to decide on a pathway as soon as possible. Waiting may limit your options and increase costs.
Options:
- Resting: If you hope to return to production later and want to retain the vineyard asset.
- Removal: If the block isn’t likely to be profitable for the long term and you’re considering replanting or another land use in future.
- Pursue contract: If you believe you can obtain a viable contract and justify full cost production.
Steps to take:
- Know your numbers: review profitability from each block over the past five years and estimate short-term returns. Use this information to set priorities, for example, which blocks to keep in production, rest, or remove.
- Build your timeline: With resting or removal, there are lead times (contractors, budgeting, waste-management, approval/licensing) — acting now gives you flexibility rather than being forced into late-season decision-making.
- Use planning tools: Download the Vineyard removal guide and planning tool and run scenario modelling now.
- Communicate with your state or regional body: Your associations can assist to put you in touch with local contractors, services, resources and funding programs.
- Engage support early: Contact appropriate support services which may include a local consultant, accountant or legal adviser. Consider wellbeing support if you are under stress.
Other support, services & resources
Business & financial support services
- Farm Household Allowance: Income support, professional financial assessment and training funds for eligible producers facing hardship.
- Farm Management Deposits Scheme: Allows you to set aside pre-tax income in high years for draw-down in low years.
- Low-interest loans: the Regional Investment Corporation for farm investment, restructuring or operating expenses.
Health & wellbeing
Many growers are feeling the strain of current market pressures, and support is available. Available services include:
- Lifeline Australia (13 11 14)
- Beyond Blue (1300 22 46 36)
- Kids Helpline (1800 55 18 00)
- MensLine Australia (1300 78 99 78)
Contacts
AWRI Helpdesk Phone 08 8313 6600 (option 1)
Email helpdesk@awri.com.au Website http://www.awri.com.au
Address Wine Innovation Central Building, Corner of Hartley Grove & Paratoo Rd, Urrbrae (Adelaide), SA 5064
Further information
Wine Grape Council of SA, South Australia Wine Industry Association and Primary Industries and Regions South Australia.– South Australian assistance guide for grape growers & winemakers
Acknowledgements
This eBulletin is supported by Wine Australia with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government. AWRI is a member of the Wine Innovation Cluster in Adelaide, SA.
