The Andrews Labor Government today announced $720,000 in funding to support the wine industry increase its domestic and international markets, improve wine tourism and sustainably grow their businesses.
The $1 million Wine Growth Fund (WGF) will support 41 projects across Victoria’s 21 distinct wine regions and is provided on an equal co-contribution basis.
A total of 38 of the recommended projects are regionally based, with grants worth more than $677,000 and total project costs valued at close to $3 million.
The successful projects range in scope from developing a wine app in the Alpine Valley, hosting a large scale food and wine event in Central Victoria, website development in the Loddon-Mallee and promoting Chinese wine tourism in the Yarra Valley.
The WGF aims to develop and sustainably grow the industry by providing innovative growers, organisations and projects with funding to expand.
It supports grants of up to $20,000 for individual organisations and $50,000 for collaborative projects.
There will be future opportunities for businesses or organisations directly involved in the Victorian wine industry, including the growing, production and marketing of wine, and businesses that act as service providers to the wine industry.
Victoria’s wine industry is made up of 800 wineries and 3,000 vineyards, employing 12,000 people and generating $1.5 billion each year.
The Wine Growth Fund is a key part of the Labor Government’s $1 million election commitment to boost the wine industry, which includes the Wine Industry Development Strategy and the formation of the Wine Industry Ministerial Advisory Committee.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“With the Grand Final public holiday tomorrow, there has never been a better time to experience regional Victoria, try a nice drop and support our growers.”
“We’re proud to be supporting 41 innovative wine industry projects. This investment will support the sustainable growth of some of Victoria’s finest wine growers and producers.”
“Victoria’s premium wine is the envy of the nation – that’s why we’re supporting the industry through our $1 million Wine Growth Fund, to ensure the world continues to demand our products.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020