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Partners & stakeholders
Explore the organisations, networks and people involved across Australia’s grape and wine sector, and the different roles they play in representation, research, markets, services and support.
Working together for the Australian grape and wine sector
Australia’s grape and wine sector involves people and organisations working across viticulture, wine production, exporting, representative organisations, research, government, supply chain, service provision and those working across wine trade and markets.
Explore who does what across the sector, how different organisations may be relevant to you and where Wine Australia works with others to deliver information, services and opportunities.
Grapegrowers, wine producers and exporters
Grapegrowers, wine producers and exporters operate across the production and supply of Australian wine, from growing grapes and making wine to selling Australian wine in domestic and international markets.
Some grapegrowers, wine producers and exporters pay levies and charges that contribute to Wine Australia’s work. Wine Australia engages with levy payers and other sector customers to understand their needs and provide information, services, programs and opportunities across Research, Innovation and Adoption; Market Development; and Regulatory Services.
- CEO Roundtable??
Government
Australian, state and territory governments have responsibilities across areas including policy, regulation, trade, research, investment, agriculture and regional development. Different government departments and agencies also provide programs, information and services relevant to grape and wine businesses.
Wine Australia works with Australian and state government agencies on matters relevant to its responsibilities. These include the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade and relevant state government agencies.
The Australian Government also provides matching funding for eligible Wine Australia research and innovation investment.
Industry representative associations
Representative organisations operate at national, state and regional levels. Depending on their role, they may represent members on policy and sector matters, provide information and networking opportunities, support skills and capability development, or coordinate regional and sector activities.
Wine Australia engages with national, state and regional representative organisations on sector priorities and activities relevant to Wine Australia’s responsibilities.
Australian Grape & Wine
The national association of grape and wine producers, Australian Grape & Wine represents its members on political, social and regulatory matters across the production and supply chain. It is a voluntary member-based organisation, funded by its members, and takes the lead in national advocacy and coordinating national industry strategy. Australian Grape & Wine is Wine Australia's representative organisation under the Wine Australia Act 2013.
Australian Grape & Wine member committees and advisory groups provide structured channels for different parts of the sector to contribute perspectives across areas including research, sustainability, technology and innovation, marketing and packaging. Wine Australia engages with Australian Grape & Wine on sector priorities and activities relevant to our core functions.
Learn more about Australian Grape & Wine
State and regional associations
The Australian grape and wine sector is made up of 65 wine regions across seven states and territories. There are other representative associations as a national, state and regional level. Their roles vary, but may include:
- representing members on policy and advocacy matters
- supporting regional and sector development
- promoting wine and wine tourism
- building local leadership and capability, and
- sharing research findings and supporting their adoption.
Research, knowledge and technical organisations
Universities, government research agencies, research organisations and technical specialists contribute research, knowledge and expertise across grape growing, winemaking and related areas.
Wine Australia works with research organisations and other delivery partners through its investment in Research, Innovation and Adoption to bring together expertise, investment and knowledge that can address sector priorities. Their work contributes to research, technical knowledge, tools and practical solutions that can be accessed and applied by grape and wine businesses.
Research providers include:
- universities
- state government agencies
- market research organisations, and
- private organisations, such as the Australian Wine Research Institute.
Wine Australia also partners with other Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) to invest in collaborative, cross-sector research that contribute stronger outcomes across the grape, wine and broader agricultural sectors.
We also provide funding through the Wine Australia Regional Program and in-region roles that encourage collaboration and support research and innovation activities in wine regions across Australia.
For more information about research providers, visit our research project library
Market access and international regulation
Australian wine businesses operate within Australian regulatory requirements and, when exporting, the requirements of importing markets. Changes to technical standards, regulation and trade conditions can affect whether and how Australian wine enters those markets.
Government agencies, standards organisations and international bodies have different roles in developing, administering and informing regulatory and market access requirements.
Wine Australia provides regulatory information and export services to Australian wine exporters and maintains export market guidance covering regulatory requirements in international markets.
We also participate in international organisations and forums and contribute technical and regulatory expertise to market access work, including:
The International Wine Federation (FIVS)
International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)
As well as relevant subcommittees and expert groups. These relationships support communication and information sharing on issues affecting market access and regulation.
Wine trade
The wine trade plays an important role in moving Australian wine through domestic and international markets and connecting wine businesses with customers.
The trade includes businesses and professionals involved in importing, distribution, buying, retail and hospitality, as well as sommeliers and other wine professionals. Different participants make decisions about which wines are imported, distributed, ranged, recommended or sold through on-premise and off-premise channels.
These relationships can also provide Australian wine businesses with market knowledge and feedback about customers, channels and market conditions.
Wine Australia undertakes market development activities to expand market and promotional opportunities for Australian wine. This includes in-market trade engagement, trade shows and roadshows, education and masterclasses, events and trade partnerships. Wine Australia also maintains channels for trade audiences in domestic and international markets
Some of the partners and stakeholders across the wine trade include:
- Customer Insights Advisory Group
- Sommeliers Australia
- Court of Master Sommeliers Oceania
- Endeavour Group (??)
Australian Wine Discovered trade education
We also engage with people and organisations across international wine markets, including importers, distributors, retailers, buyers, hospitality, trade and media. These relationships help build knowledge and understanding of Australian wine and connect Australian wine businesses with market opportunities.
Industry associations and professional networks
Professional, technical and membership organisations bring together people and businesses with shared interests or areas of expertise across the grape and wine sector.
These include organisations and networks for viticulture and oenology professionals, suppliers, wine communicators, wine professionals and others working across the sector. Depending on the organisation, they may provide professional development, technical information, networking, events, knowledge sharing and membership services.
Examples include:
Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology
Wine Industry Suppliers Association
Wine Communicators of Australia
The Institute of Masters of Wine
Wine Australia engages with and supports industry associations and professional networks as part of its broader engagement across the grape and wine sector.
Wine media and communicators
Industry, trade, rural and consumer media provide news, information and commentary to different audiences across the sector and wine markets. Trade publications and wine communicators can also provide channels for information about Australian wine, market activities and events.
Wine Australia engages with industry, trade and consumer media as part of its communications and market activities.
Suppliers and service providers
Suppliers and service providers contribute products, services and specialist expertise used by grape and wine businesses. These can include technology and equipment, technical expertise, professional services and other business support.
Wine Australia works with relevant service-delivery partners where their expertise or services contribute to Wine Australia’s programs, projects or customer services.