First Wine Export Grant approved by Wine Australia

A Margaret River wine business will receive the first Wine Export Grant for its exporting activities in the United States of America (USA).

Awarded on a first come, first served basis, the grant program allows small and medium wine producers to claim reimbursement of specific export promotion expenses incurred on or after 1 January 2018.

Applicants can make a claim of up to $25,000 for 50 per cent of eligible expenses related to promotion of their wine product for export to China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and/or the USA. The grant program closes on the expiration of funds of 1 May 2020, whichever comes first.

Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark has encouraged wine exporters to take advantage of the $1 million available through the reimbursement grant and he is expecting a surge of applications after key international trade events.

‘There’s an exciting line-up of international wine trade events ahead and the wine export grants are designed to help businesses participate in these events and build their export businesses.

‘With the support of the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package, we’re seeing greater participation from wine businesses at key trade shows so that we can build an Australian wine presence that’s bigger, better and bolder than ever before.

‘In May, Australia will headline Vinexpo Hong Kong’s 20^th anniversary event as Country of Honour with Australia’s largest-ever showcase of more than 140 exhibitors from over 35 regions.

On being awarded the first Wine Export Grant, Lloyd Constantine of Vasse Felix said the grant has given the business more capacity to market their wines oversea.

‘Being in-market is one of the most powerful methods to grow export sales, however travel, event and promotional costs often prohibit Australian wineries to be present and compete with the world's fine wine regions.

‘This grant will assist Vasse Felix and our peers to showcase Margaret River's world class wines to key trade and influencers in the international market’, he said.

Administered by Wine Australia, the Wine Export Grants are a component of the $50m Package that aims to grow the Australian wine sector by driving demand for wine exports and showcasing Australia’s wine tourism to the world.

A key objective of the Wine Export Grants is to increase the collective wine export value of grant recipients by 7–8 per cent per annum by 2019–20.

More information about the Wine Export Grants is available at erwsp.wineaustralia.com.