Bulldozers in the vineyards a poor omen for struggling winemakers
Bruno Brombal has seen plenty over his decades as a Riverina grape grower. But amid a never-ending wine glut, he says the best business to be in is excavation.
Bruno Brombal has been involved in the Riverina wine industry for more than three decades. Over the past two years, he has watched with dismay as the excavators have moved in, ripping up the vineyards that he has, as chairman of the local grape growers’ association, come to know well.
Brombal estimates that, in that time, 15 per cent of the area’s vineyards have been ripped up, reducing the region to 18,000 hectares amid a national – if not global – wine glut that has hit grape prices and threatened the livelihoods of growers and winemakers.
Simon EvansSenior reporterSimon Evans writes on business specialising in retail, manufacturing, beverages, mining and M&A. He is based in Adelaide. Connect with Simon on Twitter. Email Simon at simon.evans@afr.com
