Limestone Coast wine exporters have received support from the State Government to showcase their products worldwide through a Wine Export Recovery Expansion Program.

The program intends to up-skill and enhance connections for businesses in regional South Australia.

There are various initiatives within the program, including the Department for Trade and Investment’s US Market Entry Program, designed to help boost the region’s wine exports.

The 12-month program is run in conjunction with Wine Australia and Limestone Coast wineries will participate, which will assist them with finding pathways into the US market.

A further initiative is the London Wine Fair, which two Coonawarra companies will attend.

The Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion visited the Coonawarra region with Showcase SA’s regional Business Accelerator Series last week.

“Coonawarra is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, globally renowned, and is home to a number of exporters, many looking to grow their international footprint,” Minister Champion said.

“This program ensures local business owners can take their exports to the next level and grow their international reach.”

A Regional Series Business Accelerator Limestone Coast event was held at Hollick Estates by Showcase SA partnered by the Department for Trade and Investment, followed by a roundtable discussion at Wynns Coonawarra Estate.

Minister Champion took part in the roundtable discussion where local growers and producers had the opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities in the local wine industry.

Some challenges raised included shipping, markets, oversupply, water prices, technology and finding skilled labour.

“There’s always an issue if you have one market close, whereas some commodities like wheat and barley and things like that can easily move to markets, wine is not like that,” Minister Champion said.

“It takes a long time to establish new markets, or even to enhance existing ones.”