The National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC), based at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in NSW, is in a unique position to provide proactive industry led research and education following the inclusion of a new partner, Deakin University in Victoria. 

The new membership of Deakin University brings with it considerable research strength and focus on cool climate wines; joining with the expertise of Charles Sturt University, NSW Agriculture (NSWA) and NSW Wine Industry Association (NSWIA). 

The National Wine and Grape Industry Centre was established in 1997, with the aim of developing a sustainable wine industry in Australia through research and development, education, training and extension.

“The combination of excellence in science at Deakin University with the internationally recognised viticulture and oenology research, education and extension of CSU and NSWA will benefit the Australian wine industry and particularly the sector in NSW and Victoria,” said NWGIC Director Professor Geoff Scollary.

“The Centre now has the capacity for a holistic approach to wine industry research from the production of quality grapes to the production of quality wine,” he said. 

All four partners in the expanded NWGIC will be represented on the Geelong Campus of Deakin University this Friday 12 December to mark the new member with an official signing at 12noon.

“The location of the NWGIC’s headquarters on CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus in NSW, alongside the University’s commercial and experimental wineries and wine science and viticulture degree programs, further secures the Centre as a hub for wine science knowledge, R & D, and in positioning this country’s ability to consistently produce quality wines,” said CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter. 

“The long term future of Australia’s wine industry will depend on a committed and focussed program of research, training and farmer extension. This consortium will ensure the industry grows to its potential,” said NSWA Director-General and NWGIC Council Chairman Dr Richard Sheldrake.

In addition to field sites in two states, the NWGIC will have offices at Geelong and Warrnambool in Victoria and Dareton, Griffith, Orange, Mudgee and Maitland in NSW. 

Further information about the NWGIC is available at: National Wine and Grape Industry Centre