Wine Australia has cancelled the export licence held by Private Label Services Pty Ltd (trading as CoLab Wines).
Wine Australia said that it has conducted an investigation into Private Label Services sourcing wine from Jindalee Road Wines and continuing the export operations of Jindalee Road Wines, following the cancellation of that entity’s export licence in June 2024.
As a result of that investigation, Wine Australia has cancelled Private Label Services’ licence “to protect Australian wine reputation”.
CoLab Wines is a local producer, wholesaler and exporter of Australian wine based in Melbourne.
Jindalee Road Wines is a Murray Darling-based wine producer in NSW.
“Wine Australia is committed to ensuring that consumers worldwide can be confident that wine label claims about vintage, variety and geographical indication are correct,” a Wine Australia statement said.
“Importantly, there are no concerns about health or safety for consumers of the wine produced/exported by Private Label Services.
“Private Label Services Pty Ltd may make an application to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of Wine Australia’s decision to cancel their export licence in accordance with the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024.”
Wine cannot be exported from Australia without an export licence issued by Wine Australia.
It has the power to suspend or cancel licences when necessary.
Wine Australia says there is a strong culture of compliance in the Australian grape and wine sector.
“Wine Australia has only suspended or cancelled eight licences in the past ten years, including Private Label Services Pty Ltd,” Wine Australia says.
“To put that in context, there are more than 1,800 active licence holders.”
Wine Australia says it is not able to comment further in relation to the matter.
• The photograph is for illustration purposes only.
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