In a shed near Toowoomba, researchers at the University of Southern Queensland are developing the tools and techniques they think will dominate farming practice by 2025. The Institute for Agriculture and the Environment executive manager Kevin Norman said the University of Southern Queensland had invested $30 million in its agriculture research programs. “There’s some really exciting things coming on … real world practical solutions that we can deliver to our farmers,” he said.

The State government is often accused of not being able to see over the Mount Lofty Ranges or beyond Gepps Cross. So you might think a $2m grant for a business operating in regional South Australia would be universally welcomed – but, not so. The SA government last week announced Treasury Wine Estates would receive $2m from the Regional Development Fund to use as part of a $25m project to expand its Wolf Blass Winery and Packaging Centre in the Barossa Valley.

Winemakers Federation of Australia is urging the federal government to force Coles and Woolworths to identify their home brand wine labels for consumers. Winemakers Federation of Australia chief executive Paul Evans told a Senate inquiry in Perth on Tuesday there were concerns in the industry about Coles and Woolworths marketing wine similarly to branded wine from producers. “What we would like to see is that home brands are identified so consumers can make their choice,” Evans said.

The peak body for Australian winemakers has appeared before a Senate hearing in Western Australia to make the case for industry reform. Winemakers’ Federation of Australia president Tony D’Aloisio and chief executive Paul Evans appeared at a special Senate committee hearing in the Swan Valley winemaking region today. The Rural and Regional Affairs Transport Reference Committee has been hosting Australian Grape and Wine Industry hearings around Australia as part of an inquiry into the wine industry.

The soaring popularity of English wine has fuelled a rush to develop UK vineyards, with applications rising by more than 40% in the past year, new figures reveal. As producers must pay wine duty, they need a licence from HM Revenue and Customs. Last year, HMRC received 65 applications from new entrants, up from 46 in the previous year, according to accountancy group UHY Hacker Young.

Angelo Gaja is a master of growth, innovation and change. The star vintner took over his family’s Piedmont winery in 1961, building it into a powerhouse for the region. “Along the way he pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Barbaresco, estate bottling, and modernized winemaking,” said senior editor Bruce Sanderson, introducing Wine Experience attendees to the man who “needs little introduction.”

Retailer Majestic Wine has abandoned its six bottle minimum purchase rule as part of a new pricing strategy throughout its store network and online. The result of a strategic review conducted by new Majestic Wine CEO Rowan Gormley, the removal of the six bottle rule takes effect today (27 October) with the aim of ‘making the shopping experience simpler and easier for both new and existing customers’.

For the first time, the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards (RMWA) will be showcased at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair to be held from November 5-7. The RMWA is one of Australia’s most respected wine shows, recognising and rewarding excellence in Australian winemaking. First conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) in 1884 the Awards continue to grow each year with more than 3,000 entries received annually from over 530 vineyards from Australia competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.

Casella Family Brands has made two new appointments to its senior marketing team to meet the demands of the company’s recent expansion. Clive Coleman has been appointed as global head of marketing and Olivia Barrie as marketing manager for Premium wines. Coleman comes to the company from Carlton and United Brewries where he was the head of brands cider and contemporary beer. Prior to that he spent six years leading brand marketing at Coca Cola.

A GRANITE Belt winery has been awarded gold at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards. Symphony Hill Wines were awarded a top gold medal for the fourth time in five years, this year for their new vintage 2015 Gewurztraminer. Owner Ewen Macpherson, with wife Elissa, said the wine was also a finalist for the Best Single White Variety trophy and was selected to be served the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards lunch. He said the judges called their wine a “wine to watch from an exciting new generation producer”.