Western Australia's Wilyabrup could soon become its own wine region.

Located just north of Margaret River township, it is home to wineries including Moss Wood, Vasse Felix and Cullen.

The Geographical Indications Committee has made an interim determination to recognise Wilyabrup as a separate geographical indication within the broader Margaret River wine region in Western Australia. The decision is open for public comment until March 13, 2020.

The proposed boundaries for the new Geographical Indication (GI) of Wilyabrup can be viewed online at wineaustralia.com/interim-determination-wilyabrup.

Presiding Member of the Geographical Indications Committee , Dennis Mutton, said the interim determination marked the commencement of the final public consultation phase.  

"A GI identifies wine as originating in a specific region or locality where its characteristics can be attributable to their geographic origin," he explained.

Within Australia, our GIs are listed on the Register of Geographical Indications and Other Terms. The use of terms on the Register is regulated through the label integrity program, administered by Wine Australia, to ensure the truth and the reputation for truthfulness of Australian wine labels."

After considering submissions received before March 13, 2020, the Geographical Indications Committee will decide whether to make a final determination of whether to enter Wilyabrup onto the Register of Geographical Indications and Other Terms. Final determinations are subject to appeal in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

If entered onto the Register of Geographical Indications and Other Terms, Wilyabrup would become a registered GI within Margaret River; just as Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup are registered GIs within Great Southern.

If Wilyabrup becomes a registered GI, a wine with the single GI claim ‘Wilyabrup’ would have to be made from at least 85% of the fruit grown within the delineated boundary. It would remain open to producers within Wilyabrup to use the Margaret River GI. Different rules apply where multiple GI claims are made.

Submissions to the Geographical Indications Committee should be made by post or email to:

Rachel Triggs

Registrar of Geographical Indications and Other Terms

PO Box 2733

Kent Town SA 5071

rachel.triggs@wineaustralia.com

Pictured main: Carpe Diem Vineyards

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