South Australian winery owners on a trade delegation to China say local buyers and distributors have been "energised" by an interim decision that could lead to the removal of tariffs on Australian wines within weeks.
A cohort of wine and agribusiness leaders are currently on a delegation led by Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven, which is attending two Taste of South Australia showcases and a South Australian wine summit.
Speaking from Guangzhou, where a showcase was held yesterday, Bec Hardy Wines joint managing director Richard Dolan said the event was "incredibly well-attended".
"Given there has been that initial signal of the relaxation of the tariffs, it feels like that has energised the local wine community of importers and distributors to look at the Australian category and make plans for when or if the tariffs are completely removed," he said.
"In ten years of trade delegations, I can't recall doing a tasting with such a number and quality of potential wine contacts coming through.
"The energy in the room was just fantastic."
While China's re-entry into the wine market would not absolve the industry of all of its troubles, Mr Dolan said it would still be hugely positive.
"There is still palpable opportunity in this market despite softer economic circumstances. There's still significant opportunities with potential new buyers and existing distributors," he said.
"It still will be a significant market for Australian wine, perhaps just not at the kind of volume the industry was once doing."
Chair of Chateau Tanunda, a Barossa winery, John Geber is also on the delegation and believes with the decision on tariffs imminent it is an important time for SA to network with the China industry.
"The chance to visit China provides a valuable opportunity to foster new relationships and deepen others and of course ensure that Château Tanunda is front of mind with the buyers, importers and retailers we meet," he said.
"It's also a wonderful opportunity for us to highlight the quality of all wines we make, including that we are fortunate to produce wines from some of the oldest producing vines in the world, each on their own root stock."
Wine is not the only commodity on the delegation's agenda, Ms Scriven said.
She believes the trip will help strengthen trade relationships with the country that is also big buyers of field crops, dairy, horticulture, seafood and spirits.
"I am also meeting with grain importers to support South Australia's reputation as a prominent exporter of barley and meet with other government and research institutions to explore ways we can collaborate in areas such as agriculture, research, trade, and business opportunities," Ms Scriven said.
