There has been year-on-year increase in the Australian wine grape crush, driven by red varieties, raising concerns about continued oversupply.

The red wine grape crush was up by 20% year on year, while the crush of white varieties was 2% higher than in 2024. 

The 2025 Australian wine grape crush is estimated to be 1.57 million tonnes, 160,000 tonnes (11 per cent) more than the 2024 crush, according to the National Vintage Report 2025, released today by Wine Australia. 

Wine Australia Manager, Market Insights, Peter Bailey said: “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 total crush was still 140,000 tonnes below the 10-year average of 1.71 million tonnes, with the smaller crush relative to the long-term average likely to have been a result of both seasonal and strategic factors, with 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.  

Despite the year-on-year increases, the crush of both red and white varieties was below the 10-year average. 

“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 9% below its 10-year average, while the crush of white grapes was 8% below the 10-year average,” Bailey said.  

The total value of the Australian wine grape crush in 2025 is estimated to be $1.13 billion, an additional $136 million (14 per cent) compared with 2024.  

The average purchase value for red and white grapes from cool/temperate regions both decreased, while there were increases in the average purchase value for both red and white grapes from warm inland regions.

Bailey said that despite the increases, the average purchase values for warm inland reds in the past two years were the lowest in over a decade, and for many growers would not be sufficient for production to be economically viable. 

“Conditions are not likely to improve for red grapes until there is a significant reduction in the supply base,” Bailey said.  

“The wine sector needs to continue to work together to bring supply and demand back into balance at a profitable price point for growers and winemakers.” 

Top 10 varieties 

Shiraz regained its position as the number one variety, increasing by 23%, while Chardonnay dropped back to second place, after significant frosts across many regions caused it to decrease by 13%.

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. 

Crush by state 

South Australia accounted for the largest share of the national crush by size, with 48%. This was 8% higher than its very low 2024 crush, but still 13 per cent below its 10-year average.  

NSW was the next largest, with a 33% share of the crush, and had the largest year-on-year increase — 24% larger than the 2024 crush to be in line with its 10-year average.  

The third-largest state by crush size was Victoria. The estimated crush from Victorian vineyards was down 1% year-on-year and 13% below its 10-year average.  

Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland all increased their crush year-on-year. For the second year in a row, Tasmania is estimated to have had a record crush. 

The National Vintage Report is available from www.wineaustralia.com/market-insights/national-vintage-report. Vintage survey statistics, including regional winegrape pricing, are available on Wine Australia’s Vintage Survey dashboard https://marketexplorer.wineaustralia.com/vintage-survey.