Wine Industry

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:07): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Can the minister give the council an update on recent trade and investments in the South Australian wine sector?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in the South Australian wine sector. South Australia is indisputably Australia's wine capital, producing approximately 50 per cent of all bottled wine and of course, Mr President, as you would well know, 80 per cent of Australia's premium wine. In the past 12 months to December 2018 South Australian wine exports have earned $1.89 billion, an increase of 21 per cent from the previous year. Our wine sector has a global reputation for excellence, and we are seeing sustained and diverse investment into the industry, demonstrating confidence in both the sector and the outlook for South Australia's economy.

On Friday 15 February, I was privileged to open the new RedHeads winery in the Barossa Valley. This is a multimillion dollar investment by UK-based international wine merchant Direct Wines, which incidentally was founded in 1969 by the Laithwaite family and now employs some 1,000 people across the globe. The company has a turnover of well over half a billion Australian dollars a year and owns wineries and vineyards across Australia, France, the United Kingdom and the USA.

The new RedHeads winery is based in Angaston, with a capacity of 500 tonnes, and incorporates an eight-hectare vineyard and a cellar door. It is a winery built by the Ahrens group, a spectacular new building, and it was a pleasure to meet a number of the UK executives, including the founder's son and group chief executive, Mr Tom Laithwaite.

I also want to make special mention of the Agent-General's office in London which played an important role in working together with my department to assist Direct Wines in their investment. This demonstrates to us again how important it is for South Australia to have in-market government representation.

The Marshall Liberal government welcomes the investment made by the Direct Wines group, which will create jobs and further connect quality South Australian wine to key markets in both the United Kingdom and the United States.