)
A selection of South Australian wine brands are set for a month-long promotions drive with ‘pop-up shop’ activations in Canada's most populous province Ontario.
The initiative at Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) outlets will feature 15 in-store tastings for 14 participating brands to drive sales and awareness of South Australia’s premium wine.
With more than 680 retail stores and importing over 32,000 products from over 79 countries, government-run enterprise LCBO is one of the largest retailers and wholesalers of beverage alcohol in the globe.
The partnership is supported by South Australia's Department of State Development, and includes the following brands:
- Chalk Hill
- Dandelion
- Mitolo
- Two Hands
- Taylors
- Angove
- Yalumba
- Bec Hardy Wines
- Monterra
- Penfolds
- Thorn Clarke
- Zonte's Footstep
- Kilikanoon
- Small Gully
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, Canada is South Australia’s fifth-largest destination market for wine exports, valued at $105.2 million in the year to January 2025 - around two-thirds of Australia's total exports to the country by value.
In the same period, South Australia’s overall merchandise exports to Canada have grown by 67.3 per cent to $710.6 million.
"Our state’s exports to Canada have seen tremendous growth over the last 12 months," says the state's Minister for Trade and Investment, Joe Szakacs.
"With the growing global instability in trade, led by the re-emergence of tariffs, the South Australian Government is redoubling its efforts to support diversifying and growing broad markets.
"This program, backed by Australia’s strong trade relationship with Canada, is creating more opportunities for our wine producers.
"Countries like Canada are calling out for South Australia’s premium, world-class wine and this Government is committed to supporting businesses that want to connect across the globe."
As for Australia's wine industry nationwide, the Wine Australia report for 2024 shows a 34 per cent increase in export value to $2.55 billion and a 7 per cent lift in export volume to 649 million litres.
The national wine industry's export value to Canada rose 9 per cent last year despite a 10 per cent decline in volume to 66 million litres, or around one in every 10 litres that Australia ships globally.
"Driving the increase in value was a recovery in the level of packaged exports after a decline at the end of 2023 and early 2024," the Wine Australia report stated.
"Packaged exports increased by 19 per cent in value to $119 million in the 12 months ended December 2024.
"Red and rosé wine exports to Canada increased by 10 per cent in value to $94 million and declined by 8 per cent in volume to 40 million litres. This was mainly driven by still red wine exports, which increased by 8 per cent in value, while still rosé exports increased by 30 per cent in value."
Cabernet Sauvignon was the leading variety shipped to Canada with 14 million litres, followed by Shiraz (12 million litres), Pinot Gris/Grigio (11 million litres), and Chardonnay (6.5 million litres). All these leading wine varieties saw their volumes decline, but others increased such as Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Gordo Blanco, and Ruby Cabernet.
)
