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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
9 Best River Cruises In Europe 2025, According To Experts
Mosel valley vineyards, Germany. getty S ailing across Europe's most scenic waterways, from emerald valleys of the Douro to tulip-strewn fields of Holland, is a fairytale quest where mighty castles meet vine-draped cliffs and majestic baroque palaces. From the Rhine's romantic bends past half-timbered villages and Gothic cathedrals to the Danube's imperial sweep through Vienna , Budapest , and Bratislava —each voyage is a sensory mosaic of medieval history, fine European cuisine, and enchanting culture. In France, the Rhône and Saône wind past lavender fields and Roman ruins, while the Seine carries you from Paris's glittering boulevards to Monet's dreamy garden in Giverny. Spring sailings unveil pretty tulip carpets along Dutch canals while autumn offers spectacular wine festivals amid the golden vineyards of Germany's Moselle Valley . But where to start? To help narrow your search, we spoke to the experts at to pin down the best river cruises in Europe for your 2026 planning. Snaking 620 miles from Porto to the Spanish town of Duruelo de la Sierra—the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley offers graceful gliding through Portugal's most poetic landscapes of the 'River of Gold'—where terraced vineyards tumble down emerald hillsides and rabelo boats drift past sleepy villages. Passing through five dramatic locks, you'll embark on a mighty Portuguese odyssey ticking off sights from the glorious Mateus Palace to the hilltop Castelo Rodrigo, slipping under the soaring iron arches of the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, and sampling some of Portugal's finest Port wines in their birthplace, at storied vineyards—or 'quintas'—like Sandeman-owned Quinta do Seixo . Join Scenic's eight-day Delightful Douro sailing from $4,495 per person, including airport transfers, Freechoice and Enrich excursions, butler service, WiFi, gratuities, all meals, and premium beverages. To book, visit Read More: Forbes The World's Best River Cruises 2025, According To Experts By Lewis Nunn 2. The Seine Winding through the romantic heart of northern France, the Seine— from its crystalline source in Burgundy—glides past sun-dappled apple orchards, dramatic chalk cliffs, and storybook half-timbered villages. Most Seine cruises begin in Paris, offering front-row access to world-famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral . Meanwhile, downstream, you'll meander through Normandy's rolling countryside with stops at Monet's dreamy gardens in Giverny, the cobbled medieval streets of Rouen, and the haunting D-Day beaches near Caen . You'll also pass Château Gaillard —Richard the Lionheart's craggy hilltop fortress and arrive in Honfleur, a harbor town beloved by Impressionist painters like Monet . How To Do It Join Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' Paris & Normandy voyage, from $2,939 per person, including all meals, unlimited beverages (including fine wines & spirits), daily excursions, airport transfers, and Wi-Fi. To book, visit . 3. The Moselle Winding through Germany, France, and Luxembourg—the Moselle meanders past vine-laced hills and fairytale villages—each bend revealing half-timbered houses, glorious vineyards, and medieval squares. River cruises start in Koblenz, before winding past picturesque towns like Cochem, watched over by the turreted Reichsburg Castle. Meanwhile in Trier, Germany's oldest city, Roman ruins, such as the Porta Nigra and imperial baths, blend seamlessly with baroque palaces and centuries-old scholarly libraries. The Moselle Valley is also one of Europe's most celebrated Riesling regions—with slate-slathered vineyards where you can sip crisp, golden-hued Riesling in candlelit cellars. How To Do It Join Riverside Luxury Cruises' 13-day Moselle Mosaic with Middle & Upper Rhine , from $9,600 per person onboard Riverside Debussy in a Symphony Suite—including all meals and soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks packages, excursions, and transfers are not included. To book, visit Read More: Forbes The World's Best River Cruise Lines, According To Globe Travel Awards By Lewis Nunn 4. The Rhine Flowing from the glacial peaks of the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, the Rhine threads its way through storied medieval fortresses, vineyard-cloaked slopes, and majestic cathedral cities. Between Strasbourg and Koblenz, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers one of Europe's most cinematic stretches—where gothic castles perch above vine-streaked cliffs like stone crowns and the river curls beneath the fabled Lorelei Rock— home to age-old legends of treacherous sirens and shipwrecks. Opt for a river cruise here and you'll drift past Bacharach's turreted skyline, Rüdesheim's cobbled alleyways, and sweeping vineyards that birth Germany's most elegant Rieslings. How To Do It Join APT's 8-day highlights of the Rhine and Main voyages from $2,542 per person, including all meals, an unlimited selection of cocktails, premium spirits, champagne, wine, beer, and soft drinks; experiences, transfers, and gratuities. For more information, visit 5. The Rhône Carving a path through France's most evocative landscapes—the Rhône is where lavender becomes a brushstroke across undulating fields and Roman ruins rise from charming riverside towns. It's a journey through Provence's soul—sailing between Lyon and Avignon—as you pass medieval villages, Gothic cathedrals, and world-renowned wine regions like Châteauneuf-du-Pape . Heading south, Arles dazzles with its Roman amphitheatre—the same city where Van Gogh produced some of his most famous works, including Starry Night Over the Rhône . Wildlife lovers? You'll be pleased to hear the Rhône also spills into the wild Camargue delta—where white horses gallop through salt marshes, flamingos strike poses in pink lagoons, and black bulls roam freely beneath the vast Provençal sky. How To Do It Join CroisiEurope's 6-night Lyon to the Tip of Provence cruise, from $1,749 per person, including all meals, drinks, and excursions. To book, visit Forbes Why A Douro River Cruise Is The Best Way To See Portugal By Lewis Nunn 6. The Danube Weissenkirchen Wachau Austria in autumn colored leaves and vineyards on a sunny day getty Flowing 1,770 miles from Germany's Black Forest to the Black Sea—the Danube is Central Europe's cultural spine—threading through four historic capitals: Vienna , Bratislava , Budapest , and Belgrade . River cruises often start in Budapest —offering postcard-perfect views of the iconic Hungarian Parliament and turreted Buda Castle. In Austria, however, the river glides through the Wachau Valley —a utopia of terraced vineyards, romantic hilltop castles, and blooming apricot orchards, where you can sip crisp Grüner Veltliner in candlelit cellars. Highlights? In Germany, medieval towns like Regensburg and Passau brim with Gothic spires, storybook townhouses, and charming cobbled squares—while the lavish Melk Abbey dazzles with its golden frescoes. How To Do It Join AmaWaterways' 7-night Best of the Danube voyage, from $2,741 per person, including all meals, wine and beer (with lunch and dinner), a daily complimentary cocktail hour, and small group excursions. To book, visit 7. The Garonne and Dordogne In the heart of southwestern France, the Garonne and Dordogne form the majestic Gironde Estuary—dotted with fairytale châteaux aplenty, where UNESCO-listed towns unfold in slow, elegant succession. River cruises typically begin in Bordeaux , a city of neoclassical grandeur, with café-lined boulevards, leafy promenades, and 347 protected buildings, where the opulent Place de la Bourse shimmers and the Cité du Vin offers a deep dive into wine heritage. On the way, you'll glide past Blaye's formidable Vauban citadel and the vineyard-laced slopes of Pauillac—home to legendary wine estates like Château Lafite Rothschild . Highlights? Think Sauternes for golden dessert wines, Arcachon Bay for oysters, and Saint-Émilion 's limestone catacombs. How To Do It Join Avalon Waterways' 8-day Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux Wineries and Charming Villages voyage, from $4209 per person, including all meals, regional wines and beers (at meal times—plus a daily 'happy hour'), and excursions. To book, visit Forbes The World's Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According To Globe Travel Awards By Lewis Nunn 8. Dutch Waterways Threading through the emerald lowlands of Holland and Belgium , the serene Dutch Waterways glide past tulip-strewn fields, centuries-old windmills, and canal-laced cities steeped in 'Golden Age' charm. Begin in Amsterdam and you'll sail past gabled townhouses—before reaching the vibrant port city of Rotterdam . Further south, however, Ghent and Bruges unfold with medieval bell towers, lace shops, and chocolate boutiques tucked beside mirror-like canals. Spring sailings offer front-row views of Keukenhof's kaleidoscopic gardens—while autumn brings misty mornings and twinkling festive markets. Along the way, you'll sip crisp Dutch gin and sample creamy golden Gouda in cozy riverside villages—where vintage bicycles outnumber cars and needle-thin church spires pierce the watercolor sky. How To Do It Join Riviera Travel's 5-day Amsterdam, Kinderdijk and the Dutch Bulbfields Cruise , from $1650 per person, including direct flights and transfers, excursions, all meals, and a complimentary drinks package. To book, head to 9. The Elbe Stretching nearly 700 miles from the Czech Republic's mist-shrouded Krkonoše Mountains to the North Sea, the Elbe is less trafficked than its European siblings—offering a quieter journey through baroque cities, vineyard-cloaked hills, and fairytale fortresses. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve , it is home to white-tailed eagles, beavers, and migrating cranes, with floodplain meadows and wetlands in abundance. Cruising between Prague and Hamburg, you'll pass through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains—known as Saxon Switzerland —where jagged rock spires rise above pine forests and misty gorges. While stops include Dresden , once dubbed the 'Florence of the Elbe', with its rococo palaces and ornate domes, and Wittenberg , where you'll walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther. How To Do It Join Viking's 9-night Elegant Elbe voyage, from $3,499 per person including hotel stays in Berlin and Prague, all meals, Wi-Fi, 7 guided tours; and wine, beer and soft drinks (with lunch and dinner). To book, head to . For UK enquiries and fares please call 0800 319 66 60. Read More: Forbes The World's Best River Cruises 2025, According To Experts By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Best River Cruise Lines, According To Globe Travel Awards By Lewis Nunn Forbes Why A Douro River Cruise Is The Best Way To See Portugal By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Most Visited Countries, According To Research By Lewis Nunn Forbes 3 Epic Hotels In The Netherlands For 2025 By Lewis Nunn
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Wine Culinary Vacation Canada's Warmest Lake Osoyoos British Columbia
Looking for an unexpected vacation destination? Consider Osoyoos, in the Okanagan Valley—a lake-filled region in south-central British Columbia that stretches north from the U.S. border. The entire region is known for its hot summers, vineyards, orchards, and its welcoming atmosphere ... a sunnier Sonoma of sorts. Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. getty The Okanagan's most southerly city is Osoyoos, likely your first stop on a driving trip up from the U.S. Osoyoos is home to lakeside resorts, restaurants, wineries and Canada's warmest lake, Osoyoos Lake, which straddles the Canada-U.S. border. Thanks to beneficial exchange rates, Americans currently see a discount of almost 40 percent off the sticker price. Sunset on Highway 3, near Osoyoos, British Columbia. getty Osoyoos Lake is Canada's warmest, averaging about 75°F in the summer months. Given the surrounding desert-like conditions and summertime highs in the high-80s and low-90s (and with a record high of 102°), Osoyoos is one of Canada's hot spots. The entire region of the Okanagan—from south in Osoyoos and north past the city of Kelowna—is known for its vineyards and orchards. The Okanagan Valley has almost 11,000 acres of planted vineyards (more then 85 percent of the vineyard acreage of the whole province of British Columbia) and 11 wine sub-regions each with a distinctive terroir. The Okanagan's hot sunny days and cool nights encourage wine grapes to retain their natural acidity. Wine grapes ready for harvest, Osoyoos, British Columbia. getty The hot spot is Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, where the peak growing season gets almost two hours more of sun daily than the Napa Valley receives. The sunny slopes of the region bring crisp whites and exceptional red wines. Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country is also the perfect place to enjoy award-winning wine and food experiences, often right next to the vineyard. And what about winter? Osoyoos is a winter destination too, though you'll probably want your wine tastings indoors then rather than out. Average wintertime temperatures are in the mid-30s though golf courses remain open from February until almost December, sometimes even year-round. Up at altitude, skiing is on offer at Baldy Mountain Resort—thanks to one of the highest base elevations in the province, it gets 20 feet of snow annually. Read on for what to see and do in this sunny southern Canadian town. Walnut Beach Resort, on the shore of Lake Osoyoos, British Columbia. Walnut Beach Resort Where to Stay in Osoyoos Walnut Beach Resort offers condo-like suites right on the eastern shore of Osoyoos Lake. The resort has its own sandy beach (the Okanagan's only private beach that's licensed to serve alcohol) plus docks for boating. There's also a large year-round heated outdoor pool with two hot tubs. Stargaze next to a firepit, wander the gardens (maybe taste one of the Saskatoon berries growing there), rent kayaks and ski boats to get out on the water, and scooters and bikes to explore around it. Walnut Beach Resort suite. Walnut Beach Resort The hotel has 96 suites in your preferred format: studio with fully-equipped kitchenette and one- or two-bedrooms (some with den too) with fully-equipped kitchen. Each type is named for one of the wine varietals available in the south Okanagan. Views are over the pool or gardens or out to the lake, plus the surrounding mountains. Top floor rooms have taller ceilings and half-circle windows to catch even more of the beautiful views. For the best of all, choose the penthouse suite with its two corner king-size bedrooms. In addition to a king bed (or two), all suites have at least one queen-sized sofa bed. Studios have a Juliette balcony while other suites have a larger balcony or patio with seating. One- and two-bedroom suites also have an electric fireplace plus time savers such as dishwasher and washer-dryer. Cook meals in your kitchen or use one of the poolside barbeques to grill exactly as you like. The beach at Walnut Beach Resort, Osoyoos, British Columbia. The resort's restaurant, Pointe 49 Kitchen and Bar, has dining indoors and out with views over the pool to the lake and mountains beyond. Westward facing, its sunny in the afternoons and has great sunset views. The friendly professional staff are welcoming and will help you choose from the restaurant's elevated bar food such as poutine, fish tacos, and burgers plus steaks and Asian-fusion options like the Mongolian beef bowl. Taste Wines In and Around Osoyoos Stopping for tastings at wineries and enjoying pairings at their restaurants is an ideal way to spend a vacation in the Okanagan. There are many on offer in and around the towns of Osoyoos and Oliver. 1. Just a few minutes walk along the lakeshore path from Walnut Beach Resort is Lakeside Cellars and their wine tasting room. Often with live music, sip samples indoors or out on the garden patio that faces the lake. Wine tasting on Lakeside Cellars' patio. The reds are particularly excellent here, and that includes the Blanc de Noirs—the white sparkling wine made in the traditional method from red-skinned grapes. The 2020, for example, is crisp and delicate with jasmine and tangerine on the nose and honeyed pear and crunchy apple on the palate. Lakeside Cellars' Provenir is another exceptional choice. The 2019 version is rich in dark fruit and exhibits its namesake 'source of origin'—it's made from the estate's favorite barrels and tastes of the desert lakeside terroir. Maverick Estate Winery, Oliver, British Columbia. 2. A can't miss spot is Maverick Estate Winery, halfway (a 10-minute drive) between the towns of Osoyoos and Oliver. Made from sustainably-grown grapes with minimalist but exacting interventions, Maverick's wines are known for their complexity and balance. The winery is led by proprietors CEO Jan Nelson and winemaker Andrew Windsor (formerly of acclaimed Tinhorn Creek Vineyards), who follow the 'slow wine' philosophy. Maverick Estate Winery's Short Table Dinner Series. Tastings are on offer in Maverick's tasting room, private room and in the garden (where picnics are welcome). Those in the know book one of Maverick's special events such as the short table dinner series and al fresco lunches. Each exclusive and unique event includes a tour of the winery, gracious hospitality, and chef Janik Livera's innovative dishes paired with Maverick's wines. A summer example: ahi tuna poke with Invisible Line Sauvignon Blanc, beet mille-feuille with the bright Pinot Noir, chicken Ballotine with the caramel-buttery Chardonnay, and a strawberry parfait paired with Ella sparkling brut rosé. 3. Another winery—with an on-site museum to explore—is Nk'Mip Cellars. It's the first Indigenous-owned winery on Turtle Island (i.e. North America). You will certainly feel like you're in the desert here, and the arid terroir shows in the wines' concentrated flavors. For tastings, choose between the four-flight winemaker's series, the premium series, as well as the Qwam Qwmt Riesling icewine served in a Bernard Callebaut chocolate cup. Sculptures at Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre, Osoyoos, British Columbia. In the same complex is the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre, housed inside a rammed earth building that's energy efficient and earthquake resistant. The Centre has indoor and outdoor exhibits, two theaters, plus walking trails dotted with sculptures by Smoker Marchand. A walk in May and June shows off native plants including the purple Mariposa lily, pink phlox, and antelope brush which smells of cloves and cinnamon as it blooms. September and October feature purple tansy aster, yellow rabbitbrush and fall tree color. kłlilx'w / Spotted Lake, Osoyoos, British Columbia. getty Nearby, pull off at the highway-side viewpoint to admire kłlilx'w/Spotted Lake. A natural phenomenon, summertime evaporation leaves hundreds of separated pools of water in various shades of yellow, green and blue, each different depending on its minerals. The site is scared to the Syilx Okanagan Nation. More Osoyoos Treats Need something to supplement your wine tasting? Stock up on local fruits and veggies at multiple roadside stands. British Columbia cherries and peaches are some of the most favored here, but you'll find a wide selection that changes with the seasons including apples, apricots, asparagus, peas, pumpkins and squash. Roberto's Gelato will cool you off from Osoyoos' summer sunshine. Roberto's have 30 flavors of sorbetto and gelato in high season, all made in-house. You'll find favorite classics but also unusual flavors such as blackberry merlot sorbetto and root beer gelato. The shop is open afternoons and evening—look for when the flags are up outside. Gelato at Roberto's, Osoyoos, British Columbia. For breakfast or lunch, try Barn Owl Eatery + Café. Their hand-cut French fries are double fried in beef tallow and dished up multiple ways, including as quintessentially Canadian poutine. Smash burgers and sandwiches are on potato buns, with the sammies modified into both breakfast and lunch versions. Desserts for breakfast include Belgian waffles and French toast plus pastries like cinnamon buns and, for afternoon pick-me-ups, date squares and brownies. Don't skip the milkshakes and smoothies, particularly the Osoyoos Berry smoothie with strawberries and blueberries. Getting to Osoyoos Coming from the U.S., it's a five-hour drive from Seattle and under four from Spokane. From Vancouver (where you can sample many Michelin-recognized restaurants), it's a five-hour drive east first along Highway 1 then Highway 3 through Princeton (watch for waterfalls once you're out of the metro area). Watch for waterfalls in the mountains during the drive from Vancouver to Osoyoos. getty Or, fly to Kelowna, the region's largest city. It has seasonal direct flights from Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix plus via Canadian cities like Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Then, drive south to Osoyoos, exploring the wine regions as you go. For more on Kelowna: Forbes Fine Dining And Wining At Kelowna's Top Hotel In Canada's Okanagan By Johanna Read A tip: While many Canadians pronounce Osoyoos as 'oh-soy-oose', the proper pronunciation is 'oo-soo-yoose'. This is because the name is from the original word 'Sooyoos' in the Indigenous Okanagan language, meaning 'the narrows of the lake' or 'the place where two lakes come together.' Indeed, there are two peninsulas in the center of the town of Osoyoos that almost touch each other. Just south, in sẁiẁs Provincial Park, another peninsula reaches more than 1000 yards eastward toward the opposite shore. sẁiẁs (pronounced 's-wee-yous' has the meaning of 'a place that is shallow or narrow at the center of the lake.' Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada. getty
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
French Winemaker Caroline Frey Steps Away From Directing Estates
Winemaker Caroline Frey at Château La Lagune in 2022 Tom Mullen Earlier this week French winemaker Caroline Frey announced that she is stepping away from her role of directing internationally renowned iconic estates that she is also proprietor of—Château La Lagune of Bordeaux, Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné of the Rhone Valley and Château Corton C. of Burgundy. Recent illness incited her to 'reexamine my choices, my balance and my priorities.' For decades Frey has successfully managed these estates belonging to a family group founded by her father Jean-Jacques Frey. The wines, produced using biodynamic practices, are renowned throughout the world and have maintained levels of consistent quality under her guidance. Caroline's sister Delphine Frey Prost will continue working in a key role for financial management and administration of these châteaux, while Caroline will focus her efforts on a small set of vineyards in the Valais of Switzerland. These primarily produce Petite Arvine grapes and the work provides her with joy and a sense of detachment from the intricate and often onerous responsibilities associated with managing multiple vineyards throughout France. A new technical director for the family estates will soon be announced. Caroline Frey (left) and sister Delphine Frey Prost Tom Mullen Last year I scored her 2023 Château La Lagune Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend at 96 points for its purity and concentration—qualities Caroline had focused her efforts on. During a vacation last December I stopped in at the Vineum Restaurant in Tain-Hermitage in the Rhone Valley, belonging to Paul Jaboulet Aîné winery—and found the quality of the food served to be commensurate with the quality of wines. Caroline graduated at the top of her class at the University of Oenology in Bordeaux and learned much from renowned winemaker Denis Dubourdieu. After hearing this news I contacted Caroline, who responded in a message that 'I have loved the last 20 years at La Lagune, Jaboulet and Corton. A page is turning now, the continuation will be different and just as exciting.' Her legacy will endure.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Irish Times
An easy guide to the best Languedoc reds
The Languedoc is a vast area curling around the Mediterranean Sea from the Spanish border to the mouth of the Rhône. As one of the largest vineyards in the world, it produces every possible kind of wine from sparkling through to sweet. However, it is best known for its robust reds, usually made from a blend of local grapes including grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and carignan. These can be very good, and some offer fantastic value for money. Cheap wine and over-production has always been a problem; despite various uprooting schemes, huge swathes of vines on flat vineyards going back from the coast produce large quantities of inexpensive wine. Many form part of the IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée), a loose term covering all sorts of wine, including most of the international varieties, such as cabernet, chardonnay, and syrah. Much of it is labelled as pays d'oc. Generally speaking, as you move back from the sea, the terrain becomes more mountainous, and the wines become more interesting. While full-throttle reds are still common, some cooler regions can produce very elegant lighter wines as well as plenty of refreshing white wines. Some sub regions, such as Corbières, Minervois and Faugères, have been elevated to the superior Appellation Contrôlée status. All of the wines below are made from a blend of various local Languedoc grape varieties. As well as the Luc Lapeyre, Wines Direct has the Domaine de l'Hortus (€39), one of the greatest wines produced in the Languedoc. READ MORE Specially Selected Vallée du Paradis Rouge 2024 13.5%, €8.99 Medium to full-bodied with jammy cassis fruit and a rounded finish. This would go nicely with posh burgers or ribs. Aldi Le Vin à Boire de Luc Lapeyre 2024, Organic 12%, €14.75 Light, fresh, juicy and smooth dark fruits with a spicy touch and a tannin-free finish. You could serve this lightly chilled at al fresco lunches and dinners. Wines Direct Mas Calamiac Minervois La Livinière 2022, Biodynamic 14.5%, €17.79 Ripe fresh dark forest fruits, with plenty of smooth power. Velvet in an iron fist? Fantastic value for money. Try it with herby roast pork or grilled lamb. Faugères Les Rabasses 2020, Domaine la Sarabande 14.5%, €22 Very stylish, rich and rounded ripe dark fruits, with a lovely savoury twist and soft tannins. Perfect with roast or barbecued red meats and firm cheeses. Matson's, Grange, Bandon, Youghal, Co Cork; Whelehan's, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Shocking footage from rural Australia shows bulldozers tearing up vineyards
Shocking scenes are unfolding in one of Australia's top wine regions, where desperate growers are bulldozing once-valuable vineyards. In the Riverina region of NSW, grapevines are being ripped from the ground as the market is overwhelmed by a massive oversupply of wine that simply isn't selling. Known for its Mediterranean-style climate and top-quality Chardonnay, Sémillon and Shiraz, the Riverina is now at the heart of a crisis threatening Australia's $45 billion wine industry. A perfect storm of falling demand, particularly among younger Australians, and crippling Chinese tariffs which were only lifted in March 2024 has pushed the industry to breaking point, with industry leaders now calling it an 'oversupply crisis'. Jeremy Cass, CEO of Riverina Winegrape Growers (RWG), said many growers have been forced to operate at massive losses for four years, particularly those producing red varieties. 'Our industry is in a real crisis due to the oversupply caused by the Chinese tariffs that were imposed after Scott Morrison challenged China on COVID yet support from the government has been sorely lacking,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Some growers are out of pocket up to $150,000 a year, Mr Cass said, just to stay afloat, and many are now ripping up vineyards that cost up to $35,000 per hectare to plant. RWG chair Bruno Brombal said growers need to start making 'difficult but necessary decisions' now to avoid another season of devastating financial loss. 'Whether the decision is to reduce plantings, exit part of the business, or adapt in other ways, growers need to be having these conversations now before they're locked into another season of loss,' Mr Brombal said. While demand from China is showing signs of recovery, many inland growers have been left behind as consumers both overseas and at home chase trendier alternatives like seltzers, spirits, and so-called 'functional beverages.' Wine now ranks last among preferred drinks for younger Aussies, with Gen Z turning away from alcohol altogether in favour of 'sober-curious' lifestyles and health-conscious choices. Even major wineries are scrambling to adapt, experimenting with wine cocktails, liquor-wine blends, and low-alcohol options to stay relevant. 'Australian Grape and Wine has put in a prebudget submission to government two years in a row for $85 million, $30 million of which is earmarked to help some growers transfer to other crops,' he said. 'This has been ignored but we see government spend $70 million a year for 10 years so that we can get an NRL team from Papua New Guinea.' Australia is home to 2,156 wineries and more than 6,000 grape growers, supporting nearly 165,000 jobs. But with red wine fetching just 50 cents per bladder in some cases, the bottom has fallen out. Globally, wine consumption has dropped by 3.1 billion litres in five years - a shift that's rocked even the world's most established producers.
