Wine Australia has published the 2025 National Vintage Report, which estimates 1.57 million tonnes of Australian winegrape crush this year, which is 160,000 tonnes more than last year, but 140,000 tonnes below the 10-year average.
According to Peter Bailey, Manager, Market Insights at Wine Australia, the smaller crush relative to the long-term average has been driven by seasonal and strategic factors, plus a decline in demand for wine globally driving adjustment in the Australian wine sector.
“The 2025 crush equates to around 1.1 billion litres of wine, which is in line with current sales of Australian wine on domestic and export markets,” Bailey said.
“The crush of red grapes is still estimated to be the third-smallest in more than a decade (the past two years being the smallest) and was nine per cent below its 10-year average, while the crush of white grapes was eight per cent below the 10-year average,” Bailey said.
However, he noted that the mix of red versus white was problematic.
“The significant increase in red varieties this year could exacerbate the challenges facing the sector in terms of excess stocks of red wine and might further reduce demand for these varieties next vintage.”
The year-on-year increase in the crush was driven by red varieties, which were up by 20 per cent, while the crush of white varieties was two per cent higher than in 2024.
In terms of Australia’s most popular varietals, Shiraz quantities grew by 23 per cent, helping it regained its position as number, while significant frosts across many regions saw Chardonnay drop back to second, with a decrease of 13 per cent.
Most other major varieties increased, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris/Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc all seeing double-digit growth year-on-year. Pinot Gris/Grigio overtook Merlot for the first time, to take fifth position and give whites three of the top five positions for the first time.
Despite these increases, out of the top 10 varieties only Pinot Gris/Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir crushed more in 2025 than they did 10 years ago.
South Australia once again led the nation in grape production, accounting for 48 per cent of Australia’s total crush in 2025. While this marks an eight per cent increase on the state’s notably low 2024 result, it remains 13 per cent below its 10-year average, reflecting ongoing challenges in the region.
New South Wales followed with a 33 per cent share, recording the largest year-on-year growth among all states. Its crush surged 24 per cent compared to 2024, bringing volumes back in line with its decade-long average, in a promising sign of recovery.
Victoria ranked third in crush size but reported a slight one per cent decline compared to the previous year. The state’s 2025 crush was 13 per cent below its 10-year average, continuing a downward trend.
Meanwhile, Western Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland all reported year-on-year increases. Notably, Tasmania achieved a record crush for the second consecutive year, underscoring its growing prominence in the national wine scene.