The Minister for Regional Development recently announced $2 million in funding for 78 projects at wineries across Victoria under the Wine Growth Fund.

The Victorian Government’s Wine Growth Fund supports businesses in the wine industry through projects that include upgrading cellar doors, kitchens and cafes, wine production facility developments, e-commerce programs, accommodation initiatives and vineyard improvement works.

The Victorian wine industry directly contributes $7.6 billion to the Victorian economy and provides 12,995 direct jobs (including wine tourism). It also offers significant export growth potential. 

However, the wine industry currently faces considerable challenges including an unpredictable global market, planned domestic tax reform, as well as climate and biosecurity challenges to production.

Many of these challenges were identified in the Victorian Chamber’s Agribusiness Taskforce report, Harvesting Growth for Victoria. The Victorian Chamber has been advocating for the Victorian Government to fast track the implementation of the Victorian Wine Strategy and associated grants programs to drive growth in food and wine tourism and ensure Victorian agribusiness leverages its clean, green, high quality reputation on the world stage.

It is pleasing to see the Victorian Government’s commitment to the industry and practical support to a critical sector of the state’s economy. 

If your business is seeking to expand its international footprint, the Victorian Chamber provides documentation and certification services to exporters sending their goods overseas, international consulting services to develop and implement market entry strategies and hosts annual business immersion programs to China. Find out more here.