Volume 59 | November 26th 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.
LATEST EASING OF COVID RESTRICTIONS FOR NSW
From Tuesday 1 December 2020, small hospitality venues (up to 200 square metres in size) will be allowed to have one person per 2 square metres indoors.
Also from Tuesday 1 December 2020, up to 50 people can gather outdoors in a public space (currently 30).
You can see the government's media release HERE.

And don't forget that QR Codes are now mandatory for all hospitality venues.
This is to ensure contact tracing is seen by venues as the centrepiece of the Government's measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 in NSW and will also give the Government greater confidence in further relaxing restrictions on hospitality businesses. To find out more about your QR code options visit the government website HERE
NSWWIA SECURES GRANT AS PART OF BUSHFIRE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 
The NSWWIA is pleased to announce that we recently secured funding for a series of projects aimed at the recovery and future resilience needs of the NSW wine industry by strengthening its long term sustainability via increasing its ability to address future bushfire events and crisis. 
The $331,300 grant for projects totaling over $773,000 was awarded to the NSWWIA in conjunction with the support of many of the leading Australian wine research institutes; National Wine & Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga, Australian Wine Research Institute, Wine Australia and the continued support of the NSW Government through the NSW DPI.

There are 6 projects within the grant:
  • Assessment of grape smoke exposure and working in the grey zone 
  • Linking smoke effected grapes to finished wine quality 
  • Increasing NSW wines capabilities 
  • Rapid response smoke taint testing times for NSW 
  • New Knowledge From New Data 
  • National Bushfire Conference - NSW 
EXTENSION FOR BLER FUND
Applications for the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund have been extended and are now open until 2pm Thursday 28 January 2021.
Successful applicants will be informed by June 2021 and projects need to be completed by June 2023.
The recent BLER Fund webinar was recorded and potential applicants can view it HERE.
Apply HERE.
SIP, CHAT & DISCOVER WEBINARS
Destination NSW invites you to join 'Sip, Chat & Discover' – The Wine Tourism Opportunity webinar series. Explore ways to boost your revenue through wine experiences and learn how to sell them online.  
These workshop form part of the $2m Export and Regional Wine Support Package aimed at growing International Tourism and is supported by both the NSW Government and the Federal Government. 
Read more and register HERE.
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE COVER
COVID-19 has obviously caused much financial loss to many in the Australian wine sector. Some of those affected may have unsuccessfully sought indemnification under their insurance policy for “business interruption”. However, a judgment delivered by the New South Wales Court of Appeal last Thursday might give them some hope. It potentially enlivens business interruption claims that might have been denied.
See this Legal Alert prepared by two of Finlaysons’ senior Insurance practitioners. Please contact them direct if you would like to discuss the matter.
SHORT SIPS NEWS
+ Cassegrain Wines - long time NSWWIA corporate member - is seeking information from NSW producers in the form of a survey, which aims to demonstrate the community's need and benefit from the proposed expansion at their winery facility and contract manufacturing services. The key features of the project include the opportunity for producers to diversify and build resilience into their businesses. If you would like to assist please fill in this SURVEY and return back to AlexC@cassegrainwines.com.au
+ Australian Grape & Wine has published a summary of their recent Board Meeting. Read it HERE.

+ Many congratulations to Nadja Wallington from Philip Shaw Wines, who has been elected onto the board of the ASVO. Read more HERE.
‌
‌