“I have concerns for the future. We are being asked to carry an unfair burden.” - Darren De Bortoli

Winegrower Darren De Bortoli. Image: supplied

“Our family has a proud history, building a winemaking business that we believe is a true Australian success story. It has been achieved through hard work, self-sufficiency, determination and vision, built on foundations laid by Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli who carried their dreams of a better life from the alpine foothills of Italy’s north to the fertile Riverina region in New South Wales.

From humble beginnings we now have an international business, employing more than 450 Australians and making wine that is enjoyed throughout the world, and in doing so bringing valuable dollars into our nation.

But I have concerns for the future and I believe my fellow Australians, especially those in capital cities, need to understand the pressures being applied across the board to those who grow the quality food and beverages, including wine, that you enjoy.

We are being asked to carry an unfair burden, not in the name of the environment or sustainability, but merely to appease ill-informed ideology.

For example, in the Riverina we need water to grow grapes, rice, fruit, vegetables and a whole range of other produce. That should not be a problem because, in reality, there is enough water available to both grow food and protect our environments.

Some people, mainly those living in cities, may argue this is not the case, though we do not often see them in our fertile food growing regions, educating themselves and listening to those with lived experience. They mostly remain within inner-city confines, sipping their latte and glibly expressing their ideologies that impact others, especially those in rural areas.

My issue is they generally do not understand what is needed to grow food, and have even less understanding of water management and sensible ways to use this precious resource for productive and environmental benefit.

I am writing this letter as an appeal to my fellow Australians. I am passionate about protecting rural communities from unnecessary and often ill-informed environmental ideology.

So please think carefully about this, including how you cast your vote at any upcoming election. We need politicians who are prepared to listen, learn and develop policy that not only protects our environment, but also my fellow citizens in rural Australia and the cost of living for all of us. If we do not provide the platform and resources for those who grow our food, ultimately everyone will suffer.

I don’t generally get directly involved in elections or political parties, but like so many others across rural and regional Australia I am seeing unprecedented damage to our way of life from illogical policies and their implementation.

For the sake of our farming communities, and to ensure we can continue to grow fresh, clean Aussie food, this needs to change.”

Darren De Bortoli

Managing Director – De Bortoli Wines, Griffith