To: Joe Russo, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Accolade Wines
Support regional communities and give fair wage increase to winery workers NOW!
For South Australia’s wine regions to truly thrive, we need secure, well-paying jobs that support our communities. Accolade Wines — one of the largest grape processors in the Southern Hemisphere — produces iconic brands like Hardy, St Hallett, Grant Burge, Berri Estates, and Banrock Station, making them a cornerstone of our state’s wine industry.
But with the rising cost of living and the lasting impact of the 2022/2023 Riverland floods, workers at Accolade are struggling just to get by. They love the work they do and want to continue it, but Accolade refuses to offer a fair wage increase to help them make ends meet.
Why is this important?
If Accolade Wines fails to meet workers’ demands for fair pay, it threatens the future of secure, long-term jobs for the next generation of winery workers in our regions. Accolade profits significantly from South Australia’s rich winemaking heritage, yet without stepping up to provide decent wages, they risk undermining the very communities they rely on. To ensure our regions continue to thrive, Accolade must come to the table and take responsibility for sustaining these essential jobs that drive one of South Australia’s most iconic industries.