South Australia's grape growing area can be divided into easily recognisable regions based on inherent differences in geographical location, climate and soil condition. The area ranges from the Clare-Watervale district in the north to the Coonawarra region in the south-east of the state.
Data for 2002-03 indicate there were 60,000 hectares of bearing vines in South Australia; with a further 6,700 hectares planted but not yet bearing fruit. A total of 617,000 tonnes of grapes were produced and virtually all (99%) were grown for winemaking.
Four varieties of grapes accounted for just over two thirds of all production: shiraz (165,400 tonnes), cabernet sauvignon (126,900 tonnes), chardonnay (87,500 tonnes) and merlot (37,500 tonnes). Red grape production (410,400 tonnes) exceeded white grape production (206,600 tonnes).
VITICULTURE, South Australia, years ended 30 June
|
 | Vines
non-bearing | | Vines
bearing | | |
| area
'000 ha | | area
'000 ha | | Production
'000 t |
|
| 1997(a) | 8.3 | | 30.3 | | 374.6 |
| 2001 | 7.2 | | 55.0 | | 675.9 |
| 2002 | 6.5 | | 60.5 | | 697.7 |
| 2003 | 6.7 | | 60.0 | | 617.0 |
|
(a) Year ended 31 March.
Sources: Agriculture, Australia (cat. no. 7113.0) and Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0).
Data for 2002-03 indicate 57% of all grape production in South Australia came from the Murray Lands Statistical Division (352,500 tonnes).
VITICULTURE, 2002-03
|
| Statistical Division | Vines
non-bearing
area
'000 ha | | Vines
bearing
area
'000 ha | | Production
'000 t |
|
| Adelaide | 0.6 | | 6.7 | | 47.6 |
| Outer Adelaide | 2.1 | | 16.4 | | 119.7 |
| Yorke and Lower North | 0.4 | | 4.4 | | 21.1 |
| Murray Lands | 2.3 | | 20.2 | | 352.5 |
| South East | 1.3 | | 12.1 | | 75.1 |
| Eyre | - | | - | | 0.1 |
| Northern | - | | 0.2 | | 0.8 |
| | | | | |
| South Australia | 6.7 | | 60.0 | | 617.0 |
|
Source: Unpublished ABS data available on request, 2003 Vineyards Collection.
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