VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews says the government will continue to support the Grampians and Pyrenees wine regions for their economic and tourism benefits.
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Mr Andrews visited the Mount Langi Ghiran winery on Friday to meet wine industry representatives and tourism operators to discuss the growth of the Victorian wine industry.
Mount Langi Ghiran is one of the Grampians region wineries to receive grants to target new markets, boost wine tourism and expand their businesses.
The Wine Growth Fund’s first round grants recipients included the Montara Winery Cellar Door Expansion, Grampians Pyrenees Wine Tourism Master Plan, Great Southern Road Food and Wine Itinerary, The Mount Langi Ghiran Picnic Idyll, Richardson Wines cellar door and the Grampians Winemakers Strategic Marketing and Brand Plan.
Mount Langi Ghiran benefited directly from funding with a new picnic seating area for visitors to the region to enjoy.
Wine Victoria chairman and Mount Langi Ghiran winery general manager Damien Sheehan said tourism was important to the future of the industry,
“Wine tourism allows consumers to enjoy our amazing wines in so many different and exciting ways,” Mr Sheehan said.
“We are thrilled that the Victorian Government is supporting our wineries through the Wine Growth Fund to make sure Victoria is the best wine tourism destination in Australia.”
Mr Andrews said it was a great pleasure to spend time at Mount Langi Ghiran.
“It is one of our very best wineries, in a region that so well know for the quality of its produce and the quality of its experience,” Mr Andrews said.
“We know and understand how important the wine sector is.”
Mr Andrews said Victoria’s wine industry, worth about $7.6 billion, played a vital role in regional and rural economies and employed nearly 13,000 people.
“Exports are growing rapidly – 18 per cent growth in the past 12 months – and we’re confident that the policies that we have put in places, is the government playing its part in growing the industry and jobs for residents,” Mr Andrews said.
“The latest round of grants – totalling $900,000 – are open.
“We are confident there will be many high-quality applications coming forward.
“We’ll be pleased to provide important support to improve the cellar door experience and allow the best wine makers anywhere in the world take their product to new markets.”