Castle Rock Estate in Great Southern. Image courtesy Frances Andrijich and Wines of Western Australia

Delegates will tour the Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions this week, in the first inbound Chinese wine trade mission to Western Australia since the lifting of wine tariffs earlier this year.

Western Australia will host 11 premium wine buyers from 10 Chinese companies from 29 September to 6 October 2024, with a focus on premium wines, and specific interest in wines of WA provenance.

This trade mission follows the State Government’s funding boost to the WA Wine Industry Export Growth Partnership and marks a ‘pivotal’ moment for the Australian wine industry, which has faced significant challenges in recent years.

Regional Development Minister for WA Don Punch welcomed delegates at a curated dinner with paired wines at Denmark’s Pepper + Salt, acknowledging the significance of the Chinese market, formerly Australia’s largest wine export market, and the quality of WA wines.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Great Southern Development Commission, South West Development Commission and industry partners from Wines of Western Australia, Great Southern Wine Producers Association and Margaret River Wine Association.

The delegation tour will also feature curated producer tastings, regional masterclasses, trade showcase events, and exploration of the unique landscapes of the Great Southern and Margaret River regions.

“Re-entering this market could be a challenging prospect for producers, so providing the opportunity to directly connect producers with this market once again, is a valuable endeavour,” said Minister Punch.

“This trade mission marks the beginning of this re-entry and is expected to reignite trade relationships and subsequent exports for Great Southern and Margaret River premium wine producers.”

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