Annual Snapshot
Executive Summary
The 2024 vintage in Western Australia was marked by seasonal variation with a warmer than average summer, which then resulted in an early onset to harvest and a compressed vintage. This had an impact on grape yields and wine production with the state production being at 48,725 tonnes for 2024, slightly lower than the previous long-term average of 55,000 tonnes.
For all regions vintage was underway several weeks earlier than normal, with the Swan Valley commencing in early January, quickly followed by Geographe, Margaret River and Great Southern.
There were lower yields across all nine wine regions in Western Australia, especially in the dryer areas and those with unirrigated vineyards. Red varieties were the most affected with some heat related berry dehydration, thus reducing yield per tonne.
Overall selective harvesting, and excellent management of the climate conditions by growers across the regions still resulted in high quality grapes being produced in 2024. Comprising of 62% white varietals and 38% red varietals:
• The top three white varieties by volume are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon at 83% of total white production. Other important white varieties in the top 6 of note are Chenin Blanc, Riesling and Verdelho.
• The top three red varieties by volume accounting for 81% of total red productions are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Merlot production has seen a decrease over the past 5 years, but amongst the next four important red varietal, Sangiovese, Grenache, Tempranillo and Malbec, there have been some significant increases.
Of additional interest is the diversity of grape varieties grown in Western Australia. Although the wellknown Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet and Shiraz make up a large portion of the production, there are in fact more than 53 known varieties grown across the state.
In the past nine years the white varietals Fiano and Vermentino have had significant growth alongside the red varietals of Mourvèdre, Montepulciano and Zinfandel. These varieties have moved from being experimental into commercial production, supported by the trial and research work undertaken by Richard Fennessey, DPIRD, into alternative varieties in recent years.
The strength of WA is our diversity of climate and terroir across regions, allowing for optimal varietal selection and growing them in the best locations. It is an important aspect of the fine wine regions of WA story.
Most WA producers are small/medium by national parameters and our industry is skewed towards small business models.
• 76% of producers are processing less than 100 tonnes annually and account for 11% of total production.
• 17% of producers are processing between 100 – 500 tonnes annually and account for 23% of total production.
• 6.5% of producers are processing over 500 tonnes annually and account for 66% of total production.
The Wine Producers Committee is working in partnership with Wines of WA and the APC to further utilise the vintage data that is captured so that insights can be made available to producers to assist in their medium to long term business planning.
Beyond production data collation, the APC fee-for-service funds a comprehensive set of state and regional services to producers, delivered in partnership by Wines of Western Australia and Regional Wine associations. Services include advancing a strong brand which enhances the reputation of Western Australian fine wine regions; expanding local, interstate and international market opportunities; supporting producers in research, development and education to build a sustainable industry and representing producers to positively influence regulation and policy matters. APC fee-forservice funds are often leveraged with state and federal government funding and resources to deliver these services.
Pippa Nielsen Chair of the Wine Producers Committee
About this Report
In Western Australia, a range of industry development, market development, consumer promotion and other services for the benefit of winegrape producers are funded through an Agricultural Produce Commission annual fee-for-service. The 2024/25 fee-for-service, due for payment mid-2024, is calculated based on the 2024 vintage. As part of the fee collection process, and to provide valuable market insight for fee-for-service payers, varietal data for the 2024 vintage collected from the from wine producers and the analysis of that data is presented in this report. The report is prepared based on the current data at the time of preparation, and accordingly, there may be minor and immaterial variances with prior vintage reports attributable to late / historical lodgements.
Producers may note that there are differences in the figures and trends reported when compared to the Wine Australia National Vintage Report for the same vintage. This is largely due to methodology and timing, with the National Vintage Report offering essential early insights based on a methodology relying on the voluntary survey, whereas the APC report is prepared based on actual production data reported for the vintage.
Disclaimer
This information has been made available to assist on the understanding that the Agricultural Produce Commission is not rendering professional advice. The Agricultural Produce Commission accepts no responsibility for the results of any actions taken based on the information contained in this report, nor for the accuracy, currency or completeness of any material contained in it. The Agricultural Produce Commission expressly disclaims all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of consequences of anything done in respect of reliance, whether wholly or in part, upon this report.
Vintage 2024: WA Industry Snapshot
Industry Participation: V2018 to V2024
The number of wine producers crushing grapes for Vintage 2024 remained steady.
The Western Australian industry is largely comprised of small wine businesses, with 76% of wine producers crushing less than 100 tonnes, accounting for 11% of the 2024 production.
2024 Industry Profile: Wine Grape Growers
Vintage 2024: State Summary
Figure 1: WA State Production Trend (by colour)
State
Production
(Tonnes)
Vintage 2024 saw a reduction in production levels with a total reported statewide production of 48,725 tonnes, slightly lower than the long-term average of 55,000 tonnes. A considerably warmer, dryer and longer summer than usual in Western Australia had an impact on production volumes in 2024. The drop in production was more noticeable in red varieties, than whites, with drops of 24% and 8%, respectively.
2: WA State Production Trend (by region) Table 1: Vintage 2024 Reported Production by Region (tonnes)
State Production (Tonnes) by Region
Figure
Red Varietals Production Summary
"Other" Reported Red Varieties
Vintage 2024
CABERNET SAUVIGNON SHIRAZ
MERLOT
MALBEC
TEMPRANILLO
SANGIOVESE
PINOT NOIR
GRENACHE
CABERNET FRANC
OTHER RED VARIETIES <100t each)
State production is still majority comprised of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, accounting for 75% of the red varieties crushed.
Shiraz and Merlot production are showing a slight decreasing trend over the past 5 years, whereas Cabernet Sauvignon has remained consistent, with 80% of production arising from Margaret River.
The next six varieties are showing significant increase in production since data collection commenced in 2016, in particular Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Grenache.
Trend Analysis: Red Production (WA)
Reds: Leading Varieties
Reds: Varieties >100 tonnes
CABERNET SAUVIGNON SHIRAZ MERLOT PINOT NOIR
MALBEC GRENACHE
TEMPRANILLO
CABERNET FRANC SANGIOVESE PETIT VERDOT
Red Varietals Dataset
White Varietals Production Summary
"Other" Reported White Varieties
SCHEUREBE
TRAMINER
ROUSSANNE
TREBBIANO
PEDRO XIMENEZ
ALBARINO
GRUNER VELTLINER
SAVIGNIN BLANC
SAUVIGNON BLANC CHARDONNAY
SEMILLON
RIESLING
PINOT GRIS
OTHER WHITE VARIETIES (<100t ea)
CHENIN BLANC
VERDELHO
MUSCADELLE
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon continue to account for a large portion of white grape production, being 83% of the total.
Chenin Blanc is continuing to be consistent as well, accounting for 14%, leaving 3% of 16+ other white varietals.
ARNEIS
VERDEJO
PROSECCO
MUSCAT BLANC A PETITS
GRAINS
GEWURTZTRAMINER
VERMINTINO
FIANO
VIOGNIER
Fiano and Vermentino have increased over 100% in production over the last 8 vintages and now make up 38% of the Other white varietal group.
Trend Analysis: White Production (WA)
Whites: Leading Varieties
Whites: Other Varieties
VERDELHO PINOT GRIS
MUSCADELLE
VIOGNIER FIANO VERMINTINO
White Varietals Dataset
Want to learn more? Access previous vintage reports at www.apcwa.org.au/research-library
Online: www.apcwa.org.au
Email: apcadmin@dpird.wa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 9368 3465