A RECENT online information session highlighted contractual methods Riverland grape growers could use to protect local crops.
Finlaysons Lawyers last month hosted its annual Wine Roadshow event – conducted online across two days due to COVID-19 restrictions – examining contractual processes grape growers could utilise to better prepare for challenges posed by extreme weather events, drought, or the coronavirus outbreak.
Finlaysons Lawyers partner Will Taylor said more than 200 members of the Riverland wine industry participated across the two sessions.
“It was the first time we’ve done it in this format,” Mr Taylor said.
“It’s not the same as presenting to people in person… but it was a good plan B and a good fall-back.
“We had 103 people register for the first day and 102 people register for the second day, which was actually considerably more than I expected.
“That certainly made it worthwhile and we got good feedback afterwards.”
Mr Taylor said success of the seminar could lead to other online information sessions – regarding key points in the season such as vintage – being run by Finlaysons.
“There’s certainly a convenience advantage and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper for us to do it that way,” he said.
“People do really appreciate us travelling around the country (and) we’ll continue to do that, assuming we’re able to next year… but what we might do is more of these Zoom sessions in between.
“There may be the annual Wine Roadshow and then something around the Christmas or pre-vintage time.”
Speakers at the two-day event included Wine Australia chief executive officer Andreas Clark, and Australian Grape and Wine chief executive Tony Battaglene.
Mr Taylor said questions from participants focused on situations where force majeure could affect contracts between grape growers and wine makers.
“There’s been a bit of follow up and further engagement with people since the sessions,” he said.
“We got questions about force majeure and I know even before the roadshow there was a lot of interest surrounding that.
“Then there was more relating to the bushfires and then in relation to COVID-19.
“I made the point that the specific drafting of contract clauses is so vital. That was the answer to most questions, is what the clause said.”
Mr Taylor said understanding the details involved in insurance contracts was key to Riverland grape growers protecting their crops.
“All insurance policies are not the same, so rather than just shopping around for the cheapest policy, you need to see which policy is better,” he said.
“Having the right insurances in place, having the right systems at work and the right contracts are all pieces of the puzzle.”
Mr Taylor advised Riverland wine producers Finlaysons aimed to return to an in-person format for its 2021 Wine Roadshow.
“Hopefully we’ll be back on the road (and) we very much look forward to returning to the Riverland,” he said.
“Stay strong. We know how resilient the wine industry is.
“We’ve had a horror 10 months and it’s not over yet, but stay strong and persevere, and we’ll get through this as well.”
To watch recordings of the full 2020 Finlaysons Wine Roadshow visit the website (www.finlaysons.com.au/on-demand-finlaysons-wine-off-roadshow-28-webinar/).