Australian grape crush rebounds in 2025
Despite cold snaps and dry winds, Australia crushed 11% more grapes than last year, but still lags behind the 10-year average. Wine Australia claims it’s all part of “balancing supply and demand”.
Australia’s 2025 winegrape crush rose 11% on last year, but still fell short of the 10-year benchmark by 140,000 tonnes, according to the newly released National Vintage Report 2025.
The 2025 crush is estimated to be 1.57 million tonnes, which is 160,000 tonnes more than the 2024 crush.
But this is still well below the decade average of 1.71 million tonnes, according to the Wine Australia report.
Speaking to the drinks business, Peter Bailey, manager of market insights at Wine Australia, said: “The smaller crush relative to the long-term average is likely to have been a result of both seasonal and strategic factors, with a decline in demand for wine globally driving adjustment in how much wine Australia produces each year.
“It shows that the sector is adjusting to the changing global landscape and better aligning supply with demand.”
Battling weather conditions
Several weather events impacted crop potential, including dry conditions that led to reduced yields, and a severe frost in spring that devastated early-flowering white varieties.
But despite this, Bailey said a crush at least equal to the long-term average of 1.71 million tonnes should have been possible without active intervention, because the supply base has not significantly reduced in the past five years.
“This suggests that the size of the 2025 crush was below the 10-year average to better match the global demand for wine,” he said. “Balancing supply and demand is critical to both growers and producers receiving economically viable prices for their grapes and wines respectively.”
The year-on-year rise in Australia’s 2025 winegrape crush was largely driven by red varieties, which increased by 20%, while white varieties recorded a modest 2% increase compared to 2024. However, both remain below their 10-year averages.
Red grape worries
The crush of red grapes is still estimated to be the third-smallest in more than a decade – the past two years being the smallest. It was 9 per cent below its 10-year average, while the crush of white grapes was 8 per cent below the 10-year average.
Bailey also raised concerns about the varietal balance. “The significant increase in red varieties this year could exacerbate the challenges facing the sector in terms of excess stocks of red wine, and might further reduce demand for these varieties next vintage,” he told db.
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He added: “On the plus side, it also means that there will be no shortage of quality Australian red wines available to consumers across the globe.”
Despite production volumes remaining below long-term averages, the total value of the 2025 crush is estimated at $1.13 billion – up $136 million, or 14%, from 2024.
Meanwhile, the average purchase prices for red and white grapes from cool and temperate regions declined, whereas warm inland regions saw an increase in average prices for both categories.
Shiraz in top spot
Shiraz reclaimed its title as Australia’s most-crushed winegrape variety in 2025, with volumes rising by 23%.
Chardonnay fell back to second place following a 13% decline, largely due to widespread frost damage across several regions.
While Chardonnay recorded the biggest decline in the national crush, it remains the biggest white variety crushed in Australia.
“The supply and demand of Australia’s white wines is roughly in balance so the lower white crush is unlikely to impact the sector significantly,” Bailey added.
Leading grape varieties
Most other leading varieties recorded year-on-year growth, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris/Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc all posting double-digit increases.
Notably, Pinot Gris/Grigio surpassed Merlot for the first time to claim fifth place, marking the first time white varieties have occupied three of the top five spots.
Despite the strong annual growth, only three of the top 10 varieties – Pinot Gris/Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir – posted higher crush volumes in 2025 than they did a decade ago.
South Australia accounted for the largest share of the national crush by size, followed by New South Wales and Victoria.
Meanwhile, Western Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland all posted year-on-year increases. Tasmania, in particular, is estimated to have snagged a record crush for the second year running.
