Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

International recognition for Victoria’s wineries

Melbourne has been named as a member of a network of Capital Cities of Great Wine-Growing Regions launched at VINEXPO in Bordeaux.

The other six members of the network are Bordeaux (France), Cape Town (South Africa), San Francisco (USA), Santiago (Chile), Porto (Portugal) and Florence (Italy).

Victoria has more than 19 distinct wine regions with more than 320 wineries; and over the next four years, more than 3000 additional jobs are expected to be created due to industry growth.

Between 1999 and 2003, the Victorian wine industry is expected to increase in value from $700 million to more than $1 billion, with exports doubling from $150 million to $300 million.

The network is aimed at encouraging economic, academic and cultural development between world-famous wine-growing regions.

The network will also include regular exchanges between the member cities focusing on new technologies, closer links between companies and networking between industry members.

"This network will bring international exposure to Victoria and provide an important boost to wine industry related events such as conferences and seminars on wine technology and wine-making," the Premier, Mr Kennett, said.

(News Release, Office of the Premier of Victoria, 15 July 1999)