The Marshall Liberal Government will today announce a new Great Wine Capitals Knowledge Exchange Program at the opening of Cellar Door Fest 2019.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone officially opens the Cellar Door Fest tonight, which runs from 15 to 17 March, featuring more than 150 South Australian food and beverage experiences attracting 10,000 patrons.

The State Government is sponsoring the Great Wine Capitals Discovery Space at the three-day event, featuring six wineries recently acknowledged at the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards.

“The international reputation of South Australia’s wine regions continues to grow, so the Marshall Liberal Government is pleased to provide $50,000 in funding for a Great Wine Capitals Knowledge Exchange Program to further capitalise on the state’s membership,” said Minister Whetstone.

“One of the key benefits to being a member of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network is our access to experts, innovators, and their wealth of global experience and we are committed to bringing that expertise to South Australia to share knowledge and build capability and capacity.

“As part of the exchange program, we are also launching an outbound program, offering South Australian wine industry participants the chance to apply for bursaries to travel to one or more Great Wine Capital regions.

“Whether they learn about wine making, viticulture, AgTech, innovation, biosecurity practices or Research and Development, these bursaries will support our wine industry’s learning and knowledge exchange.

“People attending Cellar Door Fest will be able to see the success stories of our food and beverage industry.

“The Cellar Door Fest is the perfect place to promote the best of South Australia’s wine, beverage and food industries.

“We are very excited to have Chapel Hill Winery, Whistling Kite Wines, Penfolds, d’Arenberg, Elderton and Hentley Farm Wines in the Great Wine Capitals Discovery Space - all fantastic wineries representing a number of our state’s wine regions.

“The Great Wine Capitals Discovery Space is also the ideal place to learn more about our state’s membership of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, which strengthens South Australia’s global reputation as a world-leading wine producer.”

Cellar Door Fest runs from 15 to 17 March at the Adelaide Convention Centre. For more information visit www.cellardoorfestival.com