Joint media release: Backing South Australia's Wine sector

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven MLC 

The Albanese and Malinauskas Labor Governments continue to support South Australian grape growers and wine makers diversify sales and boost their long-term productivity and sustainability, with the SA Wine Recovery Program extended to 2027.

Backed by $3.1 million in federal funding, the extended program will continue to support South Australia’s wine industry to recover from adverse events and market disruptions experienced in recent years.

This includes supporting a third round of the Resting Vineyard Rebate – supporting growers to temporarily rest parts of their vineyard to cut production costs and buy some time to evaluate and make decisions on future viability of vineyards.

This builds on existing streams of the program that will be extended, which focus on improving vineyard waste management, domestic market demand building initiatives, and boosting regional grape and wine capability.

This includes helping to find safe and sustainable solutions for the disposal of the growing stockpile of Copper Chrome Arsenate treated posts.

Support to increase the uptake of sustainability credentials to help SA wine businesses boost their efficiency and lower their emissions will be extended – with this stream already supporting 75 wine businesses across the state.

With Australian domestic consumers the largest market for local grape growers and wine makers, the extended program will also include a 12-month campaign to support raising the profile of South Australia’s wines.

South Australia produces 80 per cent of Australia’s premium wine and 50 per cent of all bottled wine, with more than 397 million litres of wine exported overseas in 2024-25 – worth $1.8 billion.

The SA Wine Recovery Program has been developed following recommendations made by the Viticulture and Wine Sector Working Group, established by Agriculture Ministers, with further input from the South Australian Wine Industry Association and Wine Grape Council of South Australia.

It is part of a range of measures being delivered by both the Albanese and Malinauskas Labor Governments to assist grape growers and wine producers recover from adverse conditions.

This includes the Albanese Government’s $4.6 million Grape and Wine Sector Long-term Viability Support Package, which is supporting diversification opportunities for grape growers and wine producers across the country.

The Albanese Government also recently committed an additional $30 million to support a further three rounds of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant Program to help attract visitors to Australian wine regions, with over $3.8 million delivered to 76 businesses in South Australia in the most recent round.

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

“At any one time, South Australia has nearly a billion bottles of wine on tables and in cellars around the world – a testament to the success and commitment to excellence from the state’s wine industry.

“We know though that grape growers and wine makers across South Australia have faced a number of challenges in recent years, which is why we continue to work with them to deliver practical support.

“Extending the SA Wine Recovery Program is another way the Albanese Labor Government is supporting grape growers and wine makers diversify their trade, boost their productivity, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of their businesses.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven MLC:

“The extension of the Wine Recovery Program will support the significant amount of work already underway here in South Australia through strong collaboration with the South Australian Wine Industry Association and the Wine Grape Council of South Australia.

“There is groundbreaking work underway into improving vineyard waste management through sustainable solutions, diversification strategies and boosting domestic demand which will not only assist grape growers and winemakers in South Australia but nation-wide as well.

“We will continue working closely with the Federal Government and the wine industry to tackle these challenges and improve long-term sustainability.”

Quotes attributable to Australian Grape & Wine Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lee McLean:

“This extension of the SA Wine Recovery Program delivers practical, targeted support at a time when many wine businesses are making difficult decisions in a challenging operating environment.

“Extending the sustainability and capability streams of the program is a smart investment that helps wine businesses improve efficiency, lower costs and strengthen their environmental credentials.”