Volume 51 | July 24th 2020
The New South Wales Wine Industry Association represents the interests of all NSW wine producers and grape growers. Our aim is for the NSW Wine Industry Association to advocate for the NSW Wine Industry and provide information and a sense of belonging to our members.
TIGHTENING OF RESTRICTION FROM FRIDAY 24 JULY
Our last newsletter , sent out on Monday, detailed the main new re strictions which come in to play today. We have also streamlined our website with all relevant information, including the latest government website pages which are regularly updated.

For ease and clarity, here are the new regulations again, with some important new additions ...
New Covid Safe Rules in place as of today :
  • Winery cellar doors will not be able to take bookings greater than 10 people. Patrons will need to be seated at all times. 
  • Weddings and corporate events will have a maximum of 150 people and attendees must be seated with no mingling or dancing.
  • All of these maximum numbers must comply with the 4 square metre rule and 1.5m social distancing.
  • Businesses will also need to register a COVID Safety Plan with the NSW Government. Click here for a plan template and click here to register your plan.
  • Businesses will also be required to retain customer records in a digital format. NSWWIA’s recommended record keeping system is guestHQ - Register here.
  • Winery Cellar Doors, cafes, restaurants etc. must appoint a dedicated COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshal to oversee social distancing, cleaning and hygiene at the venue.
  • The COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshal must be dressed in distinctive clothing.
  • Large hospitality venues with a capacity of more than 250 people must have a COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshal on duty whenever the venue is open.
  • Smaller hospitality venues with a capacity of less than 250 people must have a COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshal during peak periods, and at least during lunch from 12pm to 3pm, and dinner from 5pm to 9pm.
 
Please note the need for a COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshal as this is new to our last communication. It requires one member of staff to be appointed the Hygiene Marshall and to be clearly identifiable. The Service NSW hotline suggest that the best way to do this is to have a ‘hi-vis’ vest on. They can be a normal working member of staff and can conduct other duties as well as monitoring the premise for Covid Safe practices. 

As a reminder, it is also the obligation of each individual business to notify the government if a staff member tests positive. You can do th at HERE .
RAS RURAL SCHOLARSHIP
Applications are now open for the 2021 RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships.
Rural Scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW who demonstrate a passion for rural communities and commitment for any career that will ensure the future success of rural and regional NSW. Find out more and apply HERE .
CASSEGRAIN WORKING WITH SMOKE TAINT
The Federal Government has announced funding support for an international research project led by Port Macquarie’s Cassegrain Wines to solve the issue of smoke taint. In a world first, Cassegrain Wines together with Australia’s leader in smoke taint research, Professor Kerry Wilkinson from the University of Adelaide, will commercially trial molecular imprinted polymer (MIPs) technology, developed by New Zealand technology company Ligar, to solve the issue of smoke taint. 
Cassegrain Wines and Professor Wilkinson plan to utilise Ligar’s world-first commercial purification system to isolate and extract specific smoke taint molecules from tainted wine using MIPs. Other Australian partners in the project include The Australian Wine Research Institute, VA Filtration and Dr Megan O’Connor from De Beaurepaire Wines.
 
You can read the press release about this new research HERE .
STEWARDS WANTED FOR 2020 ICC SYDNEY NSW WINE AWARDS
The 2020 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards is now open, with wines entries welcomed until 21 August.
For a behind the scene look at the Awards, why not consider becoming a steward at the judging of this year's Awards? This is a great opportunity for anyone wishing to gain experience in the Australian show judging system.
The judging will be held at the ICC Sydney, so we will be looked after by one of the best events teams in the world and we will be following proper hygiene and social distancing regulations to ensure everyone is safe.

Stewarding days available are Monday 28 September (set up day) and judging days on Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 1 October. We ask that each steward be able to fulfill a minimum of one whole days work (no half days).
 
The work is hard but also highly rewarding … and you will be paid in wine!
 
If you are interested,  please click HERE
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