News

The Geographical Indications Committee (GIC) has made an interim determination of the term Avola following notification by IP Australia that no objection was made out. In deciding whether to make such determination, the GIC has very little discretion where it is clear that the GI is protected by the laws of the country where the …

Recently a number of our members have contacted us after receiving letters from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) advising them that they have obligations under the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Material) Measure 2011 (NEPM) and to meet these obligations they need to join the ACPO. Failure to do so  would result in them …

A decision has been handed down by IP Australia, in WFA’s opposition to the registration of “Avola” as a GI, which will provide Nero d’Avola producers with some needed comfort. The decision held that the evidence provided by WFA had “establishes that Nero d’Avola is used in Australia as the name of a variety of …

From 1 October a minimum floor price for alcohol will be introduced in the Northern Territory. The minimum floor price will be $1.30 per standard drink. Retail display materials explaining the floor price and what it means for consumers are being provided to licensees. These include posters, a rate card to calculate the floor price for …

1 July 2018 is just about here, and with that date comes a raft of changes to WET Rebate eligibility. Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) implores all Australian winemakers to ensure you understand AND comply with the new eligibility rules for the WET Rebate.  Key changes in the new WET measures include:  The test for …

Adelaide Wednesday 22 August, 2018 12.00pm – 2.30pm  Hear from industry experts on the current regulatory climate the sector is operating in, and how businesses and the industry as a whole can maximise the opportunities from the $50m Package. Program and registrations will be announced soon.    

The Packaging Committee provides a forum for direct discussion among stakeholders – and advice to the WFA Board – on political, technological, environmental, regulatory and market driven changes in wine, wine product and brandy packaging. Te ensure a collaborative sector approach, the Wine Industry Suppliers Australia Inc (WISA) is coordinating a call for input to …

The Geographical Indications Committee has made the final determination for the application for protection of 886 foreign GIs in Australia. WFA objected to one of the GIs in the to the original application, “Avola”, as its registration may have restrict the producers ability to use the grape variety “Nero d’Avola” on labels.  The Avola objection case …

On Monday 26 March 2018, Winemakers’ Federation of Australia co-hosted the “#SaveAussieProsecco” event with Senator Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Australia and Ms Cathy McGowan MP, Independent Member for Indi.  The event at Parliament House, Canberra was attended by around …

Registrations are now open for the 13th annual Young Gun of Wine – the showcase for all emerging winemakers to connect to trade and consumers. Focused on giving a platform to winemakers on the rise, Young Gun of Wine is open to Australian winemakers up to 45 years of age making all sorts of wine – …