Contract buy-outs on the table

Operators of the region’s largest winery, Accolade Wines have outlined plans to address grape supply imbalances.

The proposal would see the wine giant offer $4000 per hectare to buy out certain wine grape supply contracts, those coming from the grower owned CCW co-operative.

For decades CCW has been the major supplier of grapes for Accolade and previous owners of the Berri Estates winery.

Part of the proposal would also see Accolade buy out a separate bulk wine contract CCW has in place, which sits outside grape supply contracts.

It’s understood a majority grower vote is required for the proposal to be successful.