Wine Australia cancels licence to safeguard Australian wine reputation

Wine Australia has cancelled the export licence held by Alex Russell Wines Pty Ltd. 

Wine cannot be exported from Australia without an export licence issued by Wine Australia. 

There are no concerns about health or safety for consumers of the wine. 

Alex Russell Wines Pty Ltd may make an application to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of this decision in accordance with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975. 

Separately, Russell & Suitor Wines Pty Ltd’s application for an export licence was refused by Wine Australia. Russell & Suitor Wines Pty Ltd may make an application to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of this decision in accordance with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975. 

Wine Australia is not able to comment further as this matter is subject to an ongoing investigation. 

[ENDS]

Fast facts

• Wine cannot be exported from Australia without an export licence issued by Wine Australia, which has the power to suspend or cancel licences when necessary.
• There is a strong culture of compliance in the Australian grape and wine sector. Wine Australia has only suspended or cancelled nine licences in the past ten years, including Alex Russell Wines Pty Ltd. To put that in context, there are more than 2000 active licence holders.
• Further information about the regulatory framework administered by Wine Australia is available here. 
• Suspected breaches of Australian wine regulation can be reported openly or anonymously via Wine Australia’s Wine Watch portal www.wineaustralia.com/wine-watch.