Wine Industry Report

Australia’s Geographical Indications Committee (GIC) will not proceed to a final determination on a wine region called Penola in South Australia.

Its decision follows changes to the boundaries of the proposed region as a result of legal appeals in connection with the neighbouring regions of Coonawarra and Wrattonbully, including the inclusion of the town of Penola within the Coonawarra region.
“On the basis of the existing evidence, there is a valid argument that having a wine region called Penola that does not include the township of Penola is confusing and potentially misleading and the GIC agrees,” said the GIC’s executive officer Mr Jock Osborne.
“There are also concerns that the remaining area may no longer meet the definition of a region.”
Mr Osborne said discussions with local wine makers and grape growers to establish a new region with a different name had been unsuccessful.
“Because of the unique circumstances surrounding this issue and some strong views on both sides, we wanted to keep talking but it has got to the stage where we feel we can get no further on the basis of the original interim determination,” he said.
“However, the GIC is happy to receive a new application for a region in the area but applicants should reconsider the boundaries and consider a name other than Penola.”
The proposed region of Penola was initiated by the GIC in 2000 in the context of resolving all the regions in the area. However, in 2004 a number of wine makers and grape growers in the area successfully appealed to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court to have the Coonawarra region extended to include their vineyards.
The GIC is a statutory committee established by the Federal Government in 1994 to make determinations of geographical indications for wine in relation to regions and localities in Australia. To date 100 final determinations have been made by the GIC.