Doors open for more SA wineries to enter the US market
Following a highly successful campaign last year, more South Australian wineries will receive expert support to enter and expand into the United States (US) wine market.
The South Australian Government will support 25 South Australian wine companies to participate in Wine Australia’s US Market Entry Program.
The program matches local producers with US buyers and retailers, expanding local producers’ industry knowledge and connections to secure distribution and break into the US market.
The Government will co-fund 25 places – more than any other State – in this year’s program, which runs for 12 months from July.
The 25 co-funded places will support those companies to develop connections which could see more than 50 sub-brands (collectively owned by those companies) introduced to the US market.
The participating companies include:
The South Australian Government will support 25 South Australian wine companies to participate in Wine Australia’s US Market Entry Program.
The program matches local producers with US buyers and retailers, expanding local producers’ industry knowledge and connections to secure distribution and break into the US market.
The Government will co-fund 25 places – more than any other State – in this year’s program, which runs for 12 months from July.
The 25 co-funded places will support those companies to develop connections which could see more than 50 sub-brands (collectively owned by those companies) introduced to the US market.
The participating companies include:
- Rymill Coonawarra
- Chaffey Bros. Wine Co.
- Norfolk Rise
- Cape Jaffa Wines
- FABAL Wines
- CCW Co-operative
- Farmer's Leap Wines
- Z WINE
- 1837 Barossa
- Coulter Wines
- Hayes Family Wines
- Hugh Hamilton Wines
- Levrier Wines by Jo Irvine
- Mountadam Vineyards
- Off Track Wines
- Paulett Wines
- Project Wine
- Skillogalee Estate
- Sorby Adams Wines
- Tomfoolery Wines
- Vok Beverages
- Wacky Grape
- Brothers at War
- Starrs Reach Vineyard
- Ortus Wines
In the previous round of the US Market Entry program, local producers obtained a combined $1.8 million in additional sales.
The US remains the largest wine consuming market in the world and the country is ranked as the second largest consumer of imported wines (based on value).
It’s a significant market for South Australia as it is the second largest consumer of imported wines based on value.
Wine was also South Australia’s third largest export to the US, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
Watkins, a winery with vineyard holdings in the Adelaide Hills and Langhorne Creek, which previously received support through the program, sold 15,000 bottles to consumers in one day in the US in April this year. The sales achievement related to its award-winning 98-point wine, Watkins 2016 Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
This came on the back of a successful second shipment in January 2023. It was the culmination of two separate visits to the US to build relationships with industry representatives, made easier thanks to the three Watkins siblings’ local knowledge – each having spent time living in the US.
The trio say there’s room for more South Australian wineries to break into the US market.