Influential wine importers pour into SA
South Australia’s wine regions were showcased recently to influential Chinese and Hong Kong importers and buyers as part of the South Australian Government’s $3.9 million Global Wine Growth Program.
The four-day program included first-hand experience of South Australia’s award-winning wine, food and tourism offerings, including visits to Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra.
The immersive program included tasting sessions and wine masterclasses, with an event held at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide featuring wineries from other regions in South Australia, including Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, Langhorne Creek and the Riverland.
The visit aimed to build direct business connections between South Australian producers and importers from China and Hong Kong, through bespoke business matching experiences.
"With the significant headwinds facing South Australian wineries, programmes such as the China Importer Immersion are more important than ever," says Nick Radford of Mirus Vineyards.
"With the significant headwinds facing South Australian wineries, programmes such as the China Importer Immersion are more important than ever," says Nick Radford of Mirus Vineyards.
"Last week’s visit allowed us to meet representatives from an importer we have been in discussions with for six months to finalise a distribution agreement.
This is a huge boost to our small family-owned business and gives us the confidence to continue to invest in our region."
The Global Wine Growth Program is providing sustained support to local exporters as ongoing global challenges continue to impact South Australian exporters. The program is focused on mature markets, including China, the United States, United Kingdom and emerging markets such as Southeast Asia.
In the year to February 2026, South Australia exported $612.7 million worth of wine to China, making up more than 68% of all of Australia’s wine exports to China.