The South Australian and Federal Governments announced yesterday that the SA Wine Recovery Program has been extended to 2027, aiming to support SA grapegrowers and winemakers to diversify sales and boost their long-term productivity and sustainability.
With the extension of the program comes $3.1 million in federal funding, aiming to assist the state’s wine industry to recover from “adverse events and market disruptions” experienced in recent years.
“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,” said Australian Grape & Wine chief executive officer, Lee McLean.
“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.”
This extension includes 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.
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 grapegrowers and winemakers, the extended program will also include a 12-month campaign to support raising the profile of South Australia’s wines.
South Australia produces 80% of Australia’s premium wine and 50% 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.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP, acknowledged the contribution of South Australia to the nation’s wine industry.
“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,” she said.
“We know though that grapegrowers and winemakers 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.”
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven MLC, added that the extended program would support work already in progress in the South Australian wine industry.
“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.”
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