Photo: winningtastes.com.au

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford joined Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos in congratulating the 2017 Premier’s Trophy winner – Burke and Wills – for their outstanding 2015 VAT 1 Heathcote Shiraz.

The Labor Government recognises the vital contribution the Victorian wine industry makes to the Victorian economy, contributing an estimated $7.6 billion and employing nearly 13,000 people.

The Labor Government is backing the industry through the Wine Growth Fund, which has delivered $1.9 million directly to wine industry projects.

The Victorian Wine Show received a $20,000 grant from the Wine Growth Fund in 2017 to establish the Premier’s Trophy, which is awarded to the best wine from Victoria’s regional wine show winners. The Premier’s Trophy aims to increase appreciation of the diversity and quality of Victoria’s wine regions.

The Wine Growth Fund grant also funded a travel scholarship and enabled the Victorian Wine Show to appoint esteemed overseas judges. International judges act as ambassadors for Victorian wines, and foster the development of aspiring Victorian wine judges.

The 2017 travel scholarship was awarded to Tony Fikkers from Fikkers Wines.

The Wine Growth Fund is part of the Victorian Wine Industry Development Strategy, which aims to boost Victoria’s wine businesses. The Victorian Budget 2018/19 has also allocated $4.1 million to implement the Strategy.