The Mail recently reported on South West MLC Barry House’s appeal for support for local winegrowers in the war against cheap New Zealand wines.

Under the banner – ‘Sometimes what you are looking for is right under your nose’, South West winegrowers have launched their Summer with the Locals campaign.

Owner of Madfish and Howard Park wines and campaign leader Jeff Burch said there has never been a better time to buy WA wines.

“There is no reason for you to be buying wine from outside of WA,” Mr Burch said.

“I believe that our wines deliver a higher quality than their New Zealand counterparts at a similar price point and there is a wider range to choose from.

“Also all inputs from our vineyards are sourced locally, which means the money you spend on each bottle flows back into the community.”

He said the quality of WA wines was evidenced by their strong showing in the ‘bible’ of Australian wine rating – James Halliday’s Top 100 wine guide.

WA wines make up 30 per cent of the list, remarkable as the region produces less than five per cent of the country’s wine.

And according to Mr Burch, local wines will keep improving.

“Growers in WA have been blessed with three ripper vintages due to terrific weather and growing conditions.

“We have also had ideal ripening conditions, which is a key component of producing quality wine,” he said.

All the wineries involved will label their bottles with special stickers so that people know they are buying a locally-produced wine.

In addition around 20 food and wine bloggers from WA, plus a gathering of local designers, musicians and restaurateurs have come on board to help promote the campaign.

“I encourage you to purchase a drop not just because it is local, but because we produce a superior product,” Mr Burch said.

By the end of the year organisers hope to expand the Summer with the Locals campaign to incorporate the whole of the WA wine industry.