The NSW Wine Industry has condemned the Sydney Opera House’s decision to partner with French Champagne house Pommery, calling it an insult to struggling local winemakers and grape growers at a time when the industry is facing its most challenging period in decades.
The Opera House he three-year partnership sees one of Australia’s most iconic NSW Government supported venues turn its back on world-class NSW sparkling wine producers in favour of imported French Champagne.
The announcement, in the middle of NSW Wine Month, comes as NSW grape growers grapple with severe oversupply, with many pulling out vines and struggling to find markets for their fruit. The partnership represents a missed opportunity to provide vital market access to local producers who are fighting for survival.
“While NSW grape growers face oversupply and struggle to find markets for their fruit, the Sydney Opera House – funded by NSW taxpayers – has chosen to import French Champagne instead of supporting our world-class local sparkling wine producers,” said Mark Bourne, the Southern Highlands based President of NSW Wine.
“This is an insult to the hundreds of families across our wine regions doing it tough, and it’s a betrayal of the principle that NSW taxpayer-supported institutions should champion NSW businesses,” he said.
