THE white wine grape share of the national crush increased this year to 51 per cent – the first time since 2014 the white crush has been higher than the red crush, according to the National Vintage Report 2024 released by Wine Australia last week.

The report also indicates the average value for cool/temperate white varieties (such as those grown in this region) increased by three per cent in 2024 and reached a new record of $1436 per tonne, 48 per cent higher than in 2015, and 30 per cent above its 10-year average.

In the King Valley, the crush volume was up eight per cent from 2023, and value was up 20 per cent on last year, in contrast to the overall average value nationally, which decreased by 5 per cent.

This year's national wine grape crush is estimated to be 1.43 million tonnes, nine per cent more than 2023, and 18 per cent below the 10-year average of 1.73 million tonnes.

It's the third vintage in the past five years that has been below the long-term average.

South Australia accounted for the largest share of the national crush in tonnes with 49 per cent (down four percent) while the third-largest state by crush size was Victoria at 17 per cent of the national crush in tonnes (up 43 per cent year-on-year, but still 13 per cent below its 10-year average).

The grape crush value is estimated to be $1.01 billion, a two per cent increase over the previous year.

The overall average value decreased by five per cent from $642 per tonne to $613 per tonne, a result of a decrease in the share of tonnes from cool/temperate regions, which have a higher average value.

The crush of red varieties overall in 2024 declined by 1 per cent to an estimated 705,489 tonnes, 24 per cent below the 10-year average and the smallest crush of red varieties since 2007.

The crush of white varieties was up by 19 per cent to 721,519 tonnes, but still 10 per cent below its 10-year average of 804,854 tonnes, and the second smallest since 2007.

Chardonnay had the largest crush with 332,643 tonnes and overtook shiraz to resume the title of top variety by crush size that it last held in 2013.

Shiraz declined by 14 per cent to 297,868 tonnes, its smallest crush since 2007 and 31 per cent below its 10-year average of 430,903 tonnes.

All other varieties in the top 10 increased except for semillon, which decreased by 10 per cent.

Apart from chardonnay, pinot gris/grigio had the largest increase in percentage terms, up 27 per cent, while prosecco was up 18 per cent from last year.