The Coalition Government has presented Queensland wineries with a $230,000 wine grant as part of the International Wine Tourism State Grants program.
The grant had had been matched dollar for dollar by the Queensland Government and the Queensland wine sector. Its aim is to draw in more overseas tourists to our delightful wineries. Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said this grant will help put Queensland wineries on the map. “Queensland makes many top-class wines and soon it’ll be known for it,” Minister Littleproud said. “Aussie wine is in demand around the world and as a proud Queenslander know the wines here are up there with Australia’s best.”
Minister Littleproud is excited to see how the grant will be used in wineries across the Darling Downs and Southern Downs regions. “Wines from Stanthorpe and the Granite belt have been winning accolades for years,” he said. “Golden Grove Estate in Ballandean is one that well-known for its top-notch reds and its Vermintino is grabbing the world’s attention.”
The Australian wine industry has set itself a goal to increase wine exports to $3.5 billion and attract 40,000 extra international tourists by 2021. The $5 million International Wine Tourism State Grants program is part of the $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package that is being implemented by the Wine Australia through to 2019.
Minister Littleproud said that the Darling Downs and Southern Downs regions are incredibly deserving of the grant. “The whole region is an artisan paradise with plenty of fine food to go alongside its award-winning wines,” he said. “This grant will them lure more international visitors by working with key tourism operators to promote Queensland’s best wines.”
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