TWO Coonawarra wineries have expanded their export potential through federal funding.
The Blok Estate and Whistle Post Wines secured a share of the $55,000 grant, which was spread among three other Limestone Coast wineries and forms part of the government’s $50m Export and Regional Wine Support Package.
Whistle Post Wines director Angus Smibert revealed the grant funded a business trip to China and allowed the company to expand its footprint in the international market.
“It enabled us to go and visit some customers and build our networks even further,” Mr Smibert said.
Mr Smibert said the overseas trip was “brilliant” for building on relationships the winery had already developed over the past few years.
“Visiting our key customers over in China is a key component in the grant system,” he said.
“It is a fantastic initiative and benefits the Coonawarra region greatly.
“It helps us promote the wine at the Limestone Coast, especially for our cabernet sauvignon, as it is our most popular grape variety.”
Mr Smibert said the region’s cabernet sauvignon was also popular within China and the grant allowed local wineries to expand export potential.
“We are still continuing to broaden our packaged wine and eventually for Whistle Post we are hoping to make more wine under our label,” he said.
Happy with the overall program, Mr Smibert said the positive impacts of the China visit were already being felt with a recorded increase in sales.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said grant recipients had the opportunity to share their wines with some of the country’s biggest export partners.
“Between the Barossa, Limestone Coast and Coonawarra, Barker produces some of the best quality wine in the world,” Mr Pasin said.
“The grant program has been an integral part of helping our wine producers play their part in achieving a $100b agricultural sector by 2030.”
Last financial year, wine sales to the United State of America were worth $432m, while the value of exports to China increased by 66pc to $1.2b.
