Vines at Sami-Odi, in the Barossa Valley. Image courtesy Bri Hammond

A delegation of Chinese wine buyers toured the Barossa Valley on Tuesday as part of an “immersion experience”—part of the SA government’s $1.85 million wine export re-engagement program established earlier this year.

The tour, which also included visits to the McLaren Vale and Clare Valley wine regions, is one of the first delegations of Chinese industry leaders to visit the state since before Covid, and since Chinese wine tariffs were removed in March this year.

SA Minister for Trade and Investment, Joe Szakacs, said that the China South Australian Wine familiarisation tour was a “critical part” of the government’s wine export reengagement strategy.

“There’s no equivalent to being on the ground, speaking to winemakers and experiencing the essence of our unique landscape to understand our wine, how it is made and what makes it so extraordinary.”

“Armed with this experience, the buyers will leave our shores equipped with business connections and a tangible understanding of premium South Australian wine.”

The itinerary was tailored to meet the requirements of the buyers and the unique opportunities in their markets, allowing them to meet and engage with winemakers while trying a variety of wines.

Seventy producers from eight wine regions offered exclusive tastings, experiences and personalised meetings in an effort to build connections and align Chinese markets with South Australian wineries and brands.

The China re-engagement package aims to reposition South Australia as a market leader in China and continue to increase the state’s wine exports.

To support two-way market activation and immersion, the State Government also facilitated opportunities for local wine exporters to attend key in-market industry events in China in 2024, with more opportunities slated for 2025.

South Australian wine exports to all markets reached $1.67 billion, up 38.9 per cent, in the year to September 2024.

For more information on the support available for wineries exporting to China visit export.sa.gov.au/wine-china.

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