Victorian wineries are falling ‘through another crack’ as they battle to stay afloat

It’s been an unfathomably challenging 18 months for the Victorian wine industry.

Wineries have battled bushfires, lengthy shutdowns and Chinese wine tariffs, and those which have survived all of that are now missing out on desperately-needed government grants.

Chair of Wine Victoria, Angie Bradbury, says it’s “been an incredibly challenging 18 months”.

While wineries are eligible for funding from the Licensed Hospitality Fund, they can only access the minimum amount offered.

“The good old wine industry falls through another crack there. Our members can only access the absolute minimum amount, regardless of the size of their venue,” Ms Bradbury told Ross and Russel.

“They’re creating these systems and these laws to try and get money out quickly but then when its; not working for particular sectors, like the wine industry, we really need them to be more responsive to our issues and that’s been incredibly difficult.

“Most wineries are still running at about 80 per cent down on their normal sales.”

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