By Aaron Cordy
VICTORIANS love wine. Victoria is home to 21 unique wine regions and over 400 cellar doors, which is more than any other state.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence MP visited Tahbilk Winery in Nagambie on Thursday, October 2, to unveil a five-year strategy to grow agriculture, boost innovation, and create regional jobs that will strengthen and grow the state’s $9.5B wine sector.
“This strategy will safeguard Victoria’s world-class wine industry, support regional jobs, and help our growers and winemakers thrive in a rapidly changing world,” said Ms Spence.
The strategy was developed in partnership with industry through a steering committee, which included Wine Victoria CEO, Stephanie Duboudin and Chair Dan Sims, following extensive consultation.
The strategy focuses on four pillars, including workforce development, improving the visitor experience, innovation and sustainability of the industry and expanding domestic and international trade.
“Working with government, we now have the framework to turn these priorities into tangible outcomes for growers, winemakers, and the communities they support,” said Mr Duboudin.
Over the last two financial years, the State Government, in partnership with Wine Victoria, has supported more than 170 wineries through programs that open doors to global trade and new opportunities.
Wine Victoria has appointed Hayley Purbrick, a fifth-generation family member at Tahbilk Winery near Nagambie, as Sustainability and Innovation lead to oversee the strategy’s actualisation. Her position is jointly funded by the Government and Wine Australia.
“I am thrilled to be joining Wine Victoria as Innovation Lead with the exciting job of implementing this new strategy – a vital step in ensuring our industry thrives sustainably for generations to come,” said Ms Purbrick.
The Government’s Economic Growth Statement identifies trade as a crucial driver for boosting Victoria’s economic growth, and the new $34.9M Boosting Victorian Exports Package will help more businesses take their home-grown products to global markets.
Victoria’s primary producers and food manufacturers have delivered another year of record-breaking exports, leading the nation and hitting the state’s $20B target six years ahead of schedule. Victoria was one of only two states to record growth in food and fibre export value in 2023-24.
