Accolade Wines & Bec Hardy Wines among Australia's best exporters

Accolade Wines and Bec Hardy Wines are finalists in this year’s Australian Export Awards.

Minister for Trade, Dan Tehan announced the 89 finalists on Wednesday and said, “These exporters are taking Australian innovation onto the world stage, supporting jobs and economic growth.

“They are showcasing the best of Australian agriculture, tech, services and talent internationally.”

The two wineries are the only ones to be named as finalists, following on from their wins at South Australia’s 2021 Premier’s Export Award for Agribusiness, Food and Beverage when Accolade was named South Australian Exporter of the Year and Bec Hardy Wines was named Regional Exporter of the Year.

Accolade Wines’ Chief Supply Chain Officer, Derek Nicol said:

“From our first grapes crushed at Hardys winery in 1853 to becoming one of the biggest wine companies in the world, exports have always played a significant role in making our Australian wines some of the most loved around the world.

“This is just as true today as it was when the ‘Father of the South Australian Wine Industry’, Thomas Hardy, first exported wine to England in the 1800s in one of the earliest commercial exports of wine from South Australia. 

“Being a finalist at the national awards and our success at the recent South Australian awards are huge achievements for our team, and they recognise our roots in South Australian heritage, the strong connection to regional communities across the state, and our truly global presence across more than 130 markets.”

At the upcoming Export Awards, Accolade Wines and Bec Hardy Wines will join some of the nation’s pre-eminent and most inspirational exporters from across Australia, along with Minister Dan Tehan and Austrade to celebrate the winners of 13 national categories and the 2021 Australian Exporter of the Year award.

Mr Tehan said, "Together, these finalists employ more than 17,700 people and have delivered a $6.2 billion boost to the economy, demonstrating the unwavering international demand for our world-class goods and services."

The Australian Exporter of the Year will be announced on Thursday, 25 November.