De Bortoli Wines is restructuring its vineyard portfolio across four regions, removing underperforming blocks in the oversupplied Riverina while buying new land in the Yarra Valley and converting most of its King Valley plantings to Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese.
The family-owned company said it is reviewing every site against quality, financial and environmental benchmarks as the industry adjusts to falling consumption of commercial wine and shifting variety preferences.
In the Yarra Valley, De Bortoli has bought a red volcanic greenfield site at Woori Yallock, which it plans to develop into a new flagship family vineyard, while replanting some existing vineyards in response to phylloxera and lifting its focus on the premium Upper Yarra.
The biggest conversion is in the King Valley, where almost 70 per cent of the company’s vineyards will be replanted or top-grafted by the end of 2026 to varieties in demand, led by Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese.
At Rutherglen, De Bortoli has restructured more than 60 hectares since acquiring the property in 2018, with new plantings of Fiano, Sangiovese and Grenache aimed at future market trends.
The Riverina, where oversupply has crushed grape prices, is bearing the removals. De Bortoli said it has pulled out vineyard blocks that no longer meet its quality benchmarks and will continue to monitor long-term market conditions in the region.
De Bortoli Wines Yarra Valley estate manager, Leanne De Bortoli, said the changes were part of normal farming practice.
“Like any farming business, we have to keep adapting. We look at vineyard health, market trends, regional challenges and where we see future opportunities. While it can be hard to make changes, these decisions let us invest in the right grape varieties and vineyards, so our business stays strong for the future,” De Bortoli said.
De Bortoli Wines managing director, Darren De Bortoli, said the company remained optimistic about Australian wine.
“The industry is going through a period of adjustment, but we’ve seen these cycles before. Our focus is on making smart decisions today so our vineyards, our growers and our business remain strong well into the future. As a fourth-generation family business, we’re investing for the next generation, not simply the next harvest,” De Bortoli said.
Established in 1928, De Bortoli Wines is under the custodianship of third-generation family members Darren, Leanne, Kevin and Victor De Bortoli.
