Victoria’s reputation as an international wine destination continues to grow after 50 of the world’s best sommeliers praised the industry's progress.
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Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford welcomed the wine experts in Melbourne on Monday to launch the sommeliers program which will feature alongside the World’s 50 Best Restaurants program.
The visiting sommeliers will tour five of the state’s 21 wine regions before returning to their respective countries.
Seppelt Wines owner Danial Achow said he continues to see more international tourists walking through the site’s doors each year.
“Even today on a quiet day we have had Chinese tourists come through and last week we hosted an Australian Chinese wine association event,” he said.
“We are also seeing a lot of tourists from Europe and the UK.”
Two-thirds of wineries across the state also have a cellar door which provided visitors an opportunity to experience Victoria’s wine first-hand.
Mr Achow said cellar doors provided a more interactive experience for visitors.
“This is something we get a lot of great feedback on,” he said.
“Another winery in Great Western has also received funding for a new cellar door so we know there is at least one more cellar door coming to Great Western in the near future.”
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said opening up new export markets through promotions such as hosting 50 of the world’s best sommeliers was boosting the visibility of the state’s wine industry.
“We know Victoria makes some of the world’s best wines and we’re making sure that those who decide what wine gets poured at restaurants around the world know all about our labels, districts and terroirs,” she said.
“We will keep investing in Victoria’s world-class growers and winemakers, helping raise their profile around the world, drive visitation to cellar doors and increase export opportunities.”