Backing the future of Australia's wine and grape sector

The Albanese Labor Government is backing the development of a National Vineyard Register – a major Wine Australia project that will support a more sustainable future for Australia’s wine and grape industry. 

Funded through the Government’s Grape and Wine Sector Long-term Viability Support Package, the National Vineyard Register is a key initiative being delivered to strengthen long-term planning and decision-making across the sector.  

Wine Australia has engaged Map of Ag Australia to undertake the design and build of the National Vineyard Register’s digital platform, which will include input from industry, and is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. 

The Register will provide detailed information on Australia’s vineyard plantings and varietal composition across the country, creating a trusted national source of data for industry and enabling growers and wine makers to better understand what vines are in the ground and where. 

Over time, this improved visibility will support more informed decision-making and help better balance supply and demand across the wine sector.  

The Register delivers one of the key recommendations of the Viticulture and Wine Sector Working Group, established by Australia’s Agriculture Ministers in 2024 to address the national red wine oversupply and other challenges impacting the long-term viability of the wine and grape sector. 

Since coming to office, the Albanese Labor Government has delivered over $90 million in funding to support the grape and wine sector, acknowledging how critical this industry is to Australia.  

Support initiatives for the wine and grape industry include: 

• Funding of $3.5 million in 2024 for Wine Australia to roll out the Grape and Wine Sector Long-term Viability Support Package and another $1.1 million in July 2025 to extend the support package.
• The $30 million extension in September 2025 of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant Program for another 3 years.
• A commitment in December 2025 to introduce a new mandatory code of conduct in January 2027 for wine-grape purchases in response to Dr Craig Emerson’s Report on regulatory options for the sector.
• Australian Grape and Wine’s participation in Austrade’s $50 million Accessing New Markets Initiative will help a highly export focused sector diversify into new and emerging markets through targeted trade support. 

More information about the National Vineyard Register can be found at: National Vineyard Register | Wine Australia  

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP: 

“The Albanese Labor Government continues to back in Australia’s world-class wine industry. 

“Australia has the best wine grapes, grape growers and wine makers in the world. 

“We know recent years have been a challenging, that’s why our government is investing in practical, long-term solutions to support the sector’s future. 

“The National Vineyard Register will deliver data-driven insights to give industry the tools and information to support a resilient and sustainable grape and wine sector.” 

Quotes attributable to Wine Australia CEO, Dr Martin Cole: 

“The National Vineyard Register is an important platform that will provide meaningful insights for growers and the sector at a really critical time. 

“The need for better data on which varieties are grown by region was identified as a key priority under the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan to help inform better decision making by wine businesses in the context of a persistent oversupply. 

“The National Vineyard Register has an ambitious timeline and the building of the digital platform is a vital component of the project.”