Winegrowers across the Surf Coast, Moorabool Valley and Bellarine Peninsula will soon have access to a nationally recognised program designed to build healthier, more resilient vineyards.

Winegrowers across the Surf Coast, Moorabool Valley and Bellarine Peninsula will soon have access to a nationally recognised program designed to build healthier, more resilient vineyards.

Following the success of an introductory event held in the Geelong wine region in May 2026, the award-winning EcoVineyards program is formally launching in the region next month.

The program will be open to all winegrowers interested in improving fruit quality, while building healthier, more productive and resilient vineyards through practical, locally relevant approaches. The first event is a field day at Barwon Ridge, Barrabool, on Monday 30 November.

EcoVineyards Geelong will offer two free events each year from November 2026 to June 2028, combining practical workshops, vineyard field walks, demonstrations and informal opportunities for winegrowers to exchange knowledge and experiences. The program is delivered by Retallack Viticulture in partnership with Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA), with Bellarine Landcare Group, Geelong Landcare Network, Bellarine Secondary College and Wine Geelong also project partners.

Four EcoGrower demonstration sites will be established across the region, giving growers the chance to see ecological vineyard management practices in action. The vineyards will serve as regional learning hubs, showcasing practical regenerative and ecological vineyard management under commercial conditions.

Dr Mary Retallack, Managing Director of Retallack Viticulture and founder and custodian of EcoVineyards, said the program demonstrates how an understanding of regenerative and ecological processes can help create more resilient and productive vineyards.

“We demonstrate what is possible and share practical approaches that growers can see, understand and adapt to their own vineyards.”

Corangamite CMA Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator Karen O’Keefe said she is excited to be expanding the EcoVineyards program to the wider Geelong and Bellarine regions.

“This is the first time Corangamite CMA has delivered a Sustainable Agriculture program specifically focused on viticulture, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to work with local grape growers to build soil health, support biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of vineyards across the region,” Ms O’Keefe said.

“EcoVineyards aligns strongly with our focus on helping landholders adopt practical, sustainable farming practices that support both productive businesses and healthy landscapes.”

Since launching in 2019, EcoVineyards has established more than 76 demonstration sites across Australia and delivered more than 100 industry events, helping winegrowers test and adopt ecological approaches that support resilient vineyard systems.

Expressions of interest are being sought from Geelong wine region vineyards who are interested in establishing an EcoGrower demonstration site on their property to showcase the use of soil health practices, ground covers and/or biodiversity. Four selected vineyards will gain access to expert mentoring, soil health benchmarking, a tailored biodiversity action plan, and incentive funding to support on-ground works. Interested growers are encouraged to join an online information session on 22 October at 3pm for more information and can visit ccma.vic.gov.au/events to register.

EcoVineyards Geelong forms part of Corangamite CMA’s Diverse Farms Resilient Catchments project – a series of tailored education programs supporting farmers to improve biodiversity and strengthen resilience across farms, communities and landscapes. It is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate Smart Agriculture Program. EcoVineyards is delivered by Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd with significant support from regional communities.