Omari Gates
There are at least 41 Australian wineries owned by Chinese firms, representing less than 2% of the country's 2,400 wineries. This figure has sparked outrage among Australian wine lovers, who are calling for a boycott of these vineyards. The calls for a boycott come amid escalating tensions between Australia and China, with the former suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and China imposing high tariffs on Australian wine. Despite the small number of Chinese-owned wineries, the issue has brought to light the complex dynamics between the two nations and the impact of geopolitical tensions on cultural industries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wineries owned by Chinese firms | 41 |
| Percentage of Australian wineries owned by Chinese firms | less than 2% |
| Locations | South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria |
| Wineries | Auswan Creek, Peacock Series, Blue Lobster, Inspire Estate, Red Deer Station, Finders and Seekers, Linwood Estate, EI8HT Basket, Auskoala, Burge Family Wine, Château Yaldara, Cimicky, Green Dragon, Greenock Creek, Hemera Estate, Max’s Vineyard, Reis Creek, 1847 Wine, Kilikanoon, Knappstein Winery, Hollick, Belvidere Winery, Project Wine, Allandale Estate, Capercaillie Wine, Lake Cooper Estate, Badger’s Brook, Greenstone, Handpicked Wine, Helen & Joey, Hillcrest Winery, Lilydale Estate, Pettavel, Seville Estate, Storm Ridge, Sunshine Creek, Wild Cattle Creek, Barmah W, Nocton Vineyard, Ferngrove, Palinda Wines |
| Impact of Chinese tariffs on Australian wine industry | Negative |
| Public reaction to Chinese ownership of Australian wineries | Mixed, including calls for boycott |
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What You'll Learn
Chinese-owned wineries in Victoria and South Australia
Chinese firms have purchased at least 41 wineries in Australia, with up to 10% of South Australia's iconic Barossa Valley now in Chinese hands. This has sparked outrage among Australian wine lovers, who are calling for a boycott of Chinese-owned vineyards.
Chinese-owned wineries in South Australia
The following wineries in South Australia are owned by Chinese firms:
- Auswan Creek (Barossa)
- Peacock Series
- Blue Lobster
- Inspire Estate
- Red Deer Station
- Finders and Seekers
- Linwood Estate
- EI8HT Basket
- Auskoala
- Burge Family Wine (Barossa)
- Château Yaldara (Barossa)
- Cimicky (Barossa)
- Green Dragon (Barossa)
- Greenock Creek (Barossa)
- Hemera Estate (formerly Ross Estate, Barossa)
- Max’s Vineyard (Barossa)
- Reis Creek (Barossa)
- 1847 Wine (Barossa)
- Kilikanoon (Clare Valley)
- Knappstein Winery (Clare Valley)
- Hollick (Coonawarra)
- Belvidere Winery (Langhorne Creek)
- Project Wine (Langhorne Creek)
Chinese-owned wineries in Victoria
The following wineries in Victoria are owned by Chinese firms:
- Lake Cooper Estate (Heathcote)
- Badger’s Brook (Yarra Valley)
- Greenstone (Yarra Valley)
- Handpicked Wine (Mornington, Yarra Valley)
- Helen & Joey (Yarra Valley)
- Hillcrest Winery (Yarra Valley)
- Lilydale Estate (Yarra Valley)
- Pettavel (Geelong)
- Seville Estate (Yarra Valley)
- Storm Ridge (Yarra Valley)
- Sunshine Creek (Yarra Valley)
- Wild Cattle Creek (Yarra Valley)
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Chinese tariffs on Australian wines
In 2020, tensions between China and Australia escalated due to various political issues, including Australia's call for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 and allegations of war crimes by China. This led to China imposing tariffs on several Australian industries, including wine. The tariffs were introduced as apparent payback after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus. The $6 billion Australian wine industry exports about 39% of its product to China.
The Chinese government handed Australia a list of 14 grievances, demanding that Australia stop speaking out in defence of human rights and rules-based order. China also took action against other Australian imports, such as coal and lobsters, in an attempt to bully Australia into abandoning its values. This prompted calls from Australian wine lovers to boycott Chinese-owned vineyards, with a list of 41 Chinese-owned wineries in Australia being circulated. However, some Australians disagreed with the boycott, arguing that many Australians are employed at these wineries and that a boycott would only hurt Australia's economy.
In 2024, China lifted the crushing tariffs on Australian wine, and exports to China rocketed. However, Australian wine producers still face challenges in re-establishing themselves in the Chinese market due to increased competition and a shrinking wine market in China. It is expected to take time for Australian wine exports to China to recover fully, and a return to pre-pandemic export levels is considered unlikely. Despite the removal of tariffs, Australian wine producers will face stiff competition and a significantly smaller market in China.
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Chinese investment in Australian wineries
The Chinese-owned wineries in the Yarra Valley include well-known names such as Seville Estate, which was voted Winery of the Year in 2019, Sunshine Creek, Handpicked Wines, and Helen & Joey. Many of these wineries have benefited from significant investments, leading to improved facilities, enhanced landscapes, and increased employment opportunities. For example, Seville Estate's owner, Wang Yiping, has been praised for his investments in the business, resulting in the restoration of the winery and an increase in full-time staff members.
However, the presence of Chinese investment in Australian wineries has also sparked controversy and tensions. In 2020, a list of 41 Chinese-owned vineyards in Australia circulated online, prompting calls for a boycott and triggering a torrent of racist emails and cancelled orders. This backlash was fueled by escalating political tensions between Australia and China, including disputes over trade policies and human rights issues. Some Australians expressed concerns about Chinese ownership of local wineries and perceived Beijing's bullying tactics as a threat to the Australian wine industry.
The impact of China's trade policies on the Australian wine industry cannot be overlooked. In 2020, China imposed high tariffs on Australian wine, significantly affecting the industry, which exported about 39% of its products to China. These tariffs were seen as retaliation for Australia's stance on various issues, including its call for an inquiry into the origin of the coronavirus. As a result, Australian wine exporters faced significant challenges and financial losses.
Overall, Chinese investment in Australian wineries has been a complex issue, with a mix of economic opportunities and cultural tensions. While some wineries have flourished under Chinese ownership and benefited from increased investment, political disputes and trade tensions have also influenced public perception and the viability of the Australian wine industry in the Chinese market.
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Australian wineries' exports to China
Australia's wine industry is a significant one, with the country boasting close to 2,400 wineries. Of these, around 41 vineyards are owned by Chinese firms, which has sparked some controversy and calls for a boycott of Chinese-owned Australian wines.
The $6 billion Australian wine industry exports about 39% of its product to China. In 2020, Australia was China's number one imported country of origin for wine, with a 27% volume and 33% value share of imported wine sales. However, in 2021, China imposed anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Australian wine imports, which had a significant impact on the industry. These duties have since been removed, but Australian wine exports to China have not recovered, totalling A$126 million in the first three months of 2025, the lowest for any first quarter since 2016.
Despite the decline, China remains an important market for Australian wine exporters, and Wine Australia is supporting the sector in re-entering and navigating the market through a range of activities and advice on market requirements. Wine Australia has also prepared a list of compliance matters to consider before exporting wine to China, and it is recommended that exporters refer to their China Export Market Guide and subscribe to their Exporter News newsletter. Additionally, food manufacturers and exporters must register with the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) before exporting to China. Engaging a trademark specialist to register a brand in both English and Chinese is also advisable to ensure the marks are registered correctly.
While the future of Australian wine exports to China is uncertain, there are still opportunities for wineries to consider as they develop their export strategies.
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Chinese ownership percentages in Australian wineries
There are around 2,400 wineries in Australia, and a list of 41 Chinese-owned wineries has been circulating online, sparking calls for a boycott. This represents less than 2% of the total number of wineries in the country. The list includes wineries in South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, such as Auswan Creek and Kilikanoon winery, which China's biggest winery, Changyu, holds a majority stake in. However, the percentage of Chinese ownership in most of these wineries is not known.
The Australian wine industry exports about 39% of its product to China, and the recent introduction of huge tariffs by the Chinese government is threatening to cripple the $6 billion industry. The tariffs are in response to Australia's call for an independent inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, and other political disputes between the two countries.
Some Chinese-owned Australian wineries have reported unfair treatment and abuse due to the social media campaign calling for a boycott. For example, Kilikanoon winery reported that its staff had been "asked questions and abused." Additionally, a booking for a premium wine tourism experience was cancelled after the client protested about its Chinese ownership.
There are concerns that a boycott of Chinese-owned wineries will hurt local jobs, as many of these wineries hire local employees. It is also argued that an outside perspective on winemaking could lead to innovation in production and marketing, benefiting all winemakers in Australia.
Overall, while the exact percentage of Chinese ownership in Australian wineries is not clear, the presence of Chinese investment in the industry has become a controversial issue amid escalating tensions between the two countries.
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Frequently asked questions
A list of 41 Australian wineries that are supposedly owned by Chinese companies sparked outrage and calls for a boycott in 2020. However, it is important to note that there are close to 2,400 wineries in Australia, so this list represents less than 2%.
Tensions between Australia and China have escalated due to various political and economic issues, including China's imposition of high tariffs on Australian wine imports, which has significantly impacted the Australian wine industry. Some Australians see boycotting Chinese-owned wineries as a way to push back against China's actions.
Some of the wineries on the list include Auswan Creek, Peacock Series, Blue Lobster, Inspire Estate, Red Deer Station, Finders and Seekers, and Linwood Estate in South Australia; Allandale Estate and Capercaillie Wine in New South Wales; Lake Cooper Estate and Badger's Brook in Victoria.
Yes, the Yarra Valley, known for its proximity to Melbourne, has attracted significant Chinese investment. Notable Chinese-owned wineries in the region include Seville Estate, which was named Winery of the Year in 2019, and Sunshine Creek. Several wineries in the region have Mandarin speakers on their staff due to the high proportion of Chinese tourists.
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