WINE glasses will be toasting at De Bortoli Wines after claiming one of its biggest medal hauls this year.
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Throughout the year the winery claimed 523 domestic and international wine awards despite various challenges and strong competition.
De Bortoli Wines was the ‘Most Successful’ winery at three wine shows, where numerous wines also claimed a variety of medals.
Operations Manager Rob Glastonbury said the winery has undergone major restructure and redevelopment in recent years allowing for its successful year.
“The medals recognise everyone's effort, from grower to winemaker and the feedback from the market and wine shows just helps to consolidate that message,” Mr Glastonbury said.
“We have spent the last four years restructuring and updating our site at Bilbul to build a resilient business and ensure that we are competitive post the Wine Equalisation Tax.”
The government announced reforms to the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) in the 2016 Budget in an effort to clamp down on rorts that plagued the industry for years.
Wine makers and wineries were previously able to claim back as much as $500,000 paid out in the WET, however the cap will be lowered to $350,000 from July 1 next year, and lowered again to $290,000 from July 1, 2018.
The eligibility criteria for accessing the WET rebate will also be tightened, from July 1, 2019.
Mr Glastonbury welcomed the changes and said the issue with people rorting the system was just one of many hurdles wineries has to face.
“It’s hard work selling wine and when you are competing against people and wineries who are butchering the system - it is important to remain competitive and do things correctly,” Mr Glastonbury said.
“The Wine Equalisation Tax has been misused to a huge extend.”
Adding to De Bortoli Wines competitive edge is their sustainable business practices, now nationally recognised.
“It's not just the awards and medals which speak to our technical skill but also the recognition that comes from third party endorsement,” Mr Glastonbury said.
“This year we were the first business in NSW to achieve Platinum Status by the Department of Environment and Heritage for our work on sustainable business development.
I believe that recognition points to a more general achievement across the whole of our business.”
Mr Glastonbury said the winery will continue to focus on business development, build relationships with growers and maintain high standards to ensure another successful year.
