Treasury Wine Estates last week marked the completion of the Australian leg of the 2026 Australia China Winemaker Immersion Program.
The global wine producer hosted participants, industry partners and government representatives from both nations at Penfolds Magill Estate for a special closing ceremony event and high-level roundtable discussion on Australia-China relations.
The ceremony followed an intensive three-week exchange program across South Australia’s wine regions including McLaren Vale, the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills.
Chinese winemakers Yang Zhe, Kou Yaqin and Cai Jieling, together with viticulture expert Zheng Wei, explored innovative winemaking and viticulture practice and academic research, experienced hands-on winery and vineyard operations in the thick of vintage, and discovered the cellar door and tourism experiences that make Adelaide one of the world’s Great Wine Capitals – a network of 11 internationally-renowned wine regions, which has recently added Yantai, China, as an observer member.
TWE Chief Supply & Sustainability Officer Kerrin Petty said, “Treasury Wine Estates is proud to once again deliver this program on behalf of the wine industry associations in Australia and China.
“The participants have been immersed in the very best of South Australia’s food, wine, and tourism culture – hosted by our talented and passionate teams at the most exciting time of year in wine: vintage.
“We wish them well in their future careers and look forward to seeing how their insight into Australian winemaking practice and research helps to shape the future success of the wine industry.”
The event was also attended by Guest of Honour Minister Gao Feng, Minister Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Australia, who said, “It was a pleasure to meet with the immersion program participants and hear about the broad range of industry experiences they’ve had during their time in South Australia.
“Person-to-person and business-to-business connections are an important foundation for strong relationships between governments and economies, so it’s pleasing to see this in practice by Treasury Wine Estates.
“Congratulations to all the participants for successfully completing the program.”
As part of his South Australian visit, Minister Gao was also hosted a tour of the Australian Wine Research Institute and Wine Innovation Cluster at Waite, and visited TWE’s Barossa Valley wine and packaging centre in Nuriootpa.
Consul-General of China in Adelaide Mr Li Dong also attended the events.
Now in its second year, the Australia-China Winemaker Immersion Program is an industry-first exchange designed to foster talent and deepen cultural understanding through an immersion into the winemaking practices and market dynamics of both countries.
Designed, led and delivered by TWE, the program is supported Australian Grape & Wine and the China Alcoholic Drinks Association (CADA), as part of TWE’s long‐term strategic cooperation agreement with CADA.
Australian Grape & Wine CEO Lee McLean said, “The return of the Australia-China Winemaker Immersion Program for a second year demonstrates the value of industry-led collaboration in building capability, trust and long-term relationships.
“This program is leading the way in strengthening the professional and cultural links that underpin a resilient and sustainable wine sector.”
The program has also received funding through the South Australian Government’s $1.85m Wine Exporters China Re-Engagement Support Program.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven, said, “With our diverse and celebrated wine regions, South Australia has rightly earned a reputation as the birthplace of some of the world’s best wines made using innovative viticultural and production techniques.
“We’re committed to strengthening the wine industry’s engagement with China, and programs like this winemaker immersion ensure that we continue to build long-standing relationships and opportunities for collaboration and growth.”
Over the past three weeks, the group was hosted by TWE teams in Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Penfolds Magill Estate, alongside visits to Adelaide University’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, the Australian Wine Research Institute, Wine Australia and the South Australian Wine Industry Association, providing exposure to both practical and academic perspectives shaping the future of the industry.
The program has also been supported this year by several South Australian wine producers including Yalumba, Petaluma, Seppeltsfield, Auswan and Mollydooker Wines.
As part of the program’s closing ceremony event, TWE and the Australia China Business Council co-hosted a roundtable discussion focused on the Australia-China relationship and the role of industry-led collaboration in strengthening long-term economic and cultural ties.
With representatives from the Australian grape and wine sector and South Australian Government, the dialogue explored evolving wine market dynamics, consumer trends, sustainability, knowledge sharing and the value of international talent development and exchange programs in supporting deeper integration and shared growth across both markets.
Applications for the 2026 outbound leg of the program for the 2026 China vintage period later this year will open to Australian winemakers and industry professionals in the coming months.