Wine Victoria Programs

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Growing Victorian Wine into the future

Victoria’s grape-growers and winemakers will benefit from a new program funded by the Department of Agriculture, run by Wine Victoria, providing support to tackle climate change, work sustainably, increase profitability, and keep abreast of market standards.

Four key program areas:

Program 1 – Addressing Climate Change
Program 2 – Improving Productivity, Sustainability and Competitiveness
Program 3 – Biosecurity Awareness and Preparedness
Program 4 – Building Capability, Leadership, and Industry Assets

As part of the program, we are delivering the following workshops.

Introduction to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification and carbon calculator. Workshops were held in January/February 2023.
Towards carbon neutral in the winery and vineyard (with site visits). Time May/June locations TBC
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification workshop. Time May/June locations TBC

1:1 support will be provided following the SWA certification workshop to attendees.

US market activation

The US Market Strategy is divided into three phases to be delivered over three years. Phase 1 is planned for delivery between April 2022 and February 2023 and Wine Victoria has received $1.14 million from the Victorian government to execute this project.

Current activations include funding support for Victorian wineries to take part in Wine Australia’s US Market Entry program 2022-2023, and a Victorian exhibitor table at the Food & Wine Classic 2022 in Aspen, Colorado showcasing Victorian wines. The full suite of planned activities will be communicated to members as these are confirmed.

Bushfire Technical Response Program

Bushfires and smoke damage are an ongoing risk to the Victorian Wine Industry.

This plan was developed in response to the extensive fires of the 2019/2020 summer with the generous support of the Victorian State Government. Its aim is to support the Victorian Wine Industry in planning, preparing and responding to bushfire, smoke and emergency events, focussing on industry-specific challenges. It provides an overview and links to the latest in Australia’s world-class research in managing smoke-affected grapes, wine and fire-affected vineyards.

The objectives of this plan are to facilitate a timely, coordinated, and commensurate assistance package to the Victorian wine industry during a Bushfire event and assist in the management of communications and messaging to stakeholders and the broader community during such an event to minimise harm to industry and its reputation.

Seminar and Symposiums

The seminar and symposium program is funded by Global Victoria with the purpose of increasing trade opportunities and capability building for the wine industry. The three major activities of this program are:

Sponsorship of WISA impact conference held in regional Victoria to bring the Victorian/Australian wine industry together to exhibit, network and discuss the current and future opportunities and challenges for the industry.
Sponsorship of the Pinot Noir Celebration 2023 in the Mornington Peninsula and across four key international events to profile Victoria’s pinot noir capabilities to the world.
International Victorian Wine Showcase: Inbound trade mission and famil program to promote Victoria’s premium wines and export capabilities to key international trade audience across the US and Asia.

Next Crop leadership program

The Next Crop Leadership Program has been designed to develop the future leaders from the Central Victorian wine zone and surrounds. It aims to kick start a culture of leadership and collaboration within the participating regions resulting in a cohort who can lead the region now and can also act as mentors for future leaders. The program will take place as a series of seven full day workshops from May-November 2022. Further details available here.

Biosecurity kits

Agriculture Victoria have engaged the services of Wine Victoria to deliver a farm gate biosecurity program targeting wine grape growers located within close geographic proximity to phylloxera “affected” areas which will see greater adoption of standard farm gate biosecurity kits including foot baths, biosecurity signage and simple protocols that managers can follow to increase their awareness of risk pathways. development and distribution of a standardised phylloxera disinfestation kit for Victorian vineyards.

The objectives of this program are to:

Improve adoption of farm gate biosecurity measures through the distribution of footwear disinfestation kits and standardised instructional signage to wine grape producers, via industry associations.
Promote a consistent minimum standard for the industry
Create greater awareness and uptake of biosecurity across the entire supply chain
Improve compliance across the industry with the latest farmgate disinfestation practices.

The instructions for the supplied kits are available to download here.

Victorias Five Pillars

Home to over 600 cellar doors, Victoria may be Australia’s second smallest state, but it’s home to the largest number of individual wineries — all of which are easily accessible from the cultural and culinary hub of Melbourne.

To provide visitors with easy-to-navigate guidance on how to enjoy Victorian varietal while also experiencing the best of the state’s food, nature, and local culture, there are five distinctive wine destinations, each with its own unique flavour and visitor experience.