The first AWITC was held 7-9 July 1970 in Mildura, Victoria and attracted 219 delegates. It was organised by the Technical Advisory Service of The Australian Wine Research Institute with the collaboration of the State Departments of Agriculture, the Division of Horticultural Research, CSIRO and the Commonwealth Department of Primary Industry.
The organising committee comprised of:
B.C. Rankine, Chairman (The Australian Wine Research Institute)
R.T.J. Webber (Victorian Department of Agriculture)
R.M. Cirami (Victorian Department of Agriculture)
A.J. Antcliff (CSIRO Division of Horticultural Research)
R.F. Haselgrove (Mildara Wines Pty Ltd)
Programme
Session 1 – Viticultural developments in Australia
Viticultural developments in Australia E.W. Boehm, Department of Agriculture, South Australia
Viticultural developments in NSW C.R. Turkington, Department of Agriculture, New South Wales
Viticultural developments in Victoria G.W. Gayford, Department of Agriculture, Victoria
Viticultural developments in Western Australia W.R. Jamieson, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia
Session 2 – Vine Improvement
General survey and vine breeding A.J. Antcliff, CSIRO Division of Horticultural Research
Vine variety introductions and clonal selection R.M. Cirami, Department of Agriculture, Victoria
The importance of fungal and virus diseases in viticulture R.H. Taylor, Victorian Plant Research Institute
Vine rootstocks M.R. Sauer, CSIRO Division of Horticultural Research
Vine multiplication and release R.T.J. Webber, Department of Agriculture, Victoria
Vine trellising P. May, CSIRO Division of Horticultural Research
Session 3 – Effect of certain vineyard techniques on grapes and wine
Mechanical harvesting P. May, CSIRO Division of Horticultural Research
The influence of vineyard technique and management on grape and wine quality R.J. Baker, Agricultural College, Roseworthy
Session 4 – Current wine research
Dissolved oxygen in winemaking K.F. Pocock, The Australian Wine Research Institute
Colour in red wines T.C. Somers, The Australian Wine Research Institute
Some quality factors of white wines G. Ziemelis, The Australian Wine Research Institute
Winery waste disposal D.R.P. Jolly, Penfolds Wines Pty Ltd
Session 5 – Symposium on developments in grape handling, draining and fermentation procedures
New developments in grape handling draining and fermentation procedures B.C. Rankine, The Australian Wine Research Institute
The economic position of the Australian wine industry J.H.E. Taplin