Participants of the Australia-China Winemaker Immersion Program at Treasury Wine Estates office in Shanghai. Image courtesy Treasury Wine Estates

The official ceremony of the inaugural Australia-China Winemaker Immersion Program was held this week at the Shanghai office of Treasury Wine Estates (TWE). The program’s four successful Chinese participants will travel to South Australia this week, where they will spend four weeks gaining hands-on experience in local viticultural practices, winemaking operations, sustainability projects, along with a range of academic and industry activities – as well as visiting some of the state’s iconic producing areas and wineries.

The program is designed to foster deeper engagement between the Chinese and Australian wine industries, building on the recently strengthened diplomatic and economic relationship between the two nations. The Chinese wine professionals will have a unique opportunity to experience the world-renowned Australian wine industry, explore innovative production methods, and engage directly with TWE’s production teams during the vintage period in South Australia’s vineyards in the Barossa Valley, Magill and McLaren Vale regions.

The initiative has been pioneered by the Australian and Chinese wine industry associations – Australian Grape & Wine and the China Alcoholic Drinks Association – supported by government, industry and academic institutions across both countries including the South Australian Government’s Department of State Development and Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, TWE and the Wines & Spirits division of Chinese agricultural and food company COFCO.

COFCO Wine & Spirits chairman Mr. Gao, Feng said the initiative would promote a “stronger and more resilient wine industry in both markets”.

“The launch of this program through our government’s investment into the China Re-engagement Support Program, underscores our commitment to strengthening global partnerships and contributing to the success of the wine industries in Australia and China,” said South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven.

Australian Grape & Wine (AGW) CEO Lee McLean commented on the program, saying that the association was proud of its role supporting the Australian wine industry.

“…[AGW] always look forward to opportunities where we can share and learn about best practices with our counterparts around the world,” said McLean.

TWE is a co-organiser of the inaugural program, which also features wine and regional tourism experiences that showcase Adelaide’s role as one of the world’s Great Wine Capitals – a network of 12 internationally-renowned wine regions including France’s Bordeaux and California’s Napa Valley. South Australia is home to the National Wine Centre of Australia, as well as industry and research bodies, including Wine Australia and the Australian Wine Research Institute – all participating in the program.

The successful participants were assessed against a range of criteria including technical and theoretical expertise, career experience and areas of professional interest. The inaugural 2025 cohort – consisting of Ding Weikang from the agricultural institution Northwest A&F University in Shaanxi, Gao Yujie of September Helan in Ningxia, Miao Chengpeng of Château Rongzi in Shaanxi, and Xue Churan of China Great Wall Wine Company in Hebei – is a diverse and engaged group with winemaking and R&D skills, eager to learn more about Australia’s wine sector.

Speaking at the Shanghai launch event, Penfolds managing director Tom King said that Treasury was proud of its history with China’s wine industry, which he noted began in 1893, with the export of the first bottle of Penfolds from South Australia to Shanghai.

“This program cements our commitment to the long-term future and success of the Australian and Chinese wine industries – we have much to learn from each other and we’re delighted to be playing a role in fostering knowledge exchange and cross-cultural collaboration,” said King.

The second component of the 2025 program will take place in China later in 2025, when four Australian wine industry professionals will engage with industry and academic institutions during the Chinese vintage period.

The Chinese Alcoholic Drinks Association (CADA) is the leading organisation representing China’s alcoholic beverage industry. Commenting on the program, the Secretary General of CADA Wine Branch HUO, Xingsan said the association was looking forward to hosting Australian winemakers in the future, and to “strengthening the ongoing partnership”.

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