Wine Industry

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister tell the council about the Outbound Knowledge Exchange bursary program and the Best of Wine Tourism Awards facilitated through the Great Wine Capitals Global Network?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am pleased to update this place about the outcome of the 2023 Outbound Knowledge Exchange bursary program and the announcement of the 2025 Best of Wine Tourism Awards.

As members in this place would be aware, we are fortunate to be part of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, through which the best wine regions in the world share skills and knowledge and celebrate the best of wine and tourism. Membership of the network provides us with global recognition of our outstanding wine industry across the areas of production, research, education and wine tourism. Furthermore, being a part of this program benchmarks us against 11 other renowned wine regions, such as Bordeaux and Napa Valley.

Last week, the Outbound Knowledge Exchange event was held and attended by the eight 2023 bursary recipients, industry representatives and the Adelaide Great Wine Capitals steering committee, which includes representatives from PIRSA, the South Australian Tourism Commission, the South Australian Wine Industry Association and the University of Adelaide. At this event, the 2023 Outbound Knowledge Exchange bursary program recipients presented their findings, and applications opened for the 2025 Best of Wine Tourism Awards and the 2024 Outbound Knowledge Exchange bursary program.

The Outbound Knowledge Exchange event is an important initiative run by the steering committee which provides $6,000 to wine professionals, researchers and academics to travel to other Great Wine Capitals to share their knowledge and bring back learnings to support South Australia's fantastic wine industry. The South Australian Labor government, through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, is proud to lead the local chapter steering committee that is responsible for delivering these kinds of excellent developmental initiatives. This is a wonderful occasion for learning and industry connection, where the eight recipients of the 2023 bursary program presented their findings and thoughtful consideration for industry in service of the South Australian wine industry.

I again congratulate each of the bursary recipients on not only being part of the program but for providing excellent insight into how the South Australian industry can adopt their learnings to maximise the benefit to the state. Applications for the next round of the Outbound Knowledge Exchange bursary program will open on 1 July and I encourage those who are interested in this excellent international learning experience to apply.

The Best of Wine Tourism Awards is another cornerstone program of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, honouring innovation, sustainability and quality in wine tourism. This award is categorised into accommodation, architecture and landscape, art and culture, culinary experiences, innovative wine tourism experiences, wine tourism services and sustainable wine tourism practices. Each award given recognises an offering or service that is unique and outstanding with a positive impact on, and involvement in, local wine tourism.

We are all, I hope, aware of the exceptional quality of South Australian wine and wine tourism, and these awards allow for this quality to continue to be recognised on a global stage. The Best of Wine Tourism Awards gives the South Australian wine industry a chance to recognise all the great things our industry achieves and will continue to achieve. Applications for this award will close on 12 July. For more information, or to nominate for the 2025 Best of Wine Tourism Awards, interested people can go to www.adelaidegreatwinecapital.com.au.