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South Australian wine producers are set to gain greater exposure across the United States following a new agreement with America’s largest wine and liquor retailer.
The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Total Wine & More, a major US retailer operating 294 superstores across 30 states.
Often compared to Dan Murphy’s in Australia, Total Wine & More is already one of the biggest retail stockists of premium Australian wine in the US.
The new agreement is designed to grow the presence of premium South Australian wines throughout its national network over the next 12 to 18 months.
Premier Peter Malinauskas signed the agreement with Total Wine & More chief executive Ryan Ross in Maryland.
The partnership will include joint promotions, trade education, engagement with buyers and work to further develop the South Australian wine category within the retailer.
It comes as local wine producers continue to look towards international markets, with the United States currently worth more than $130 million a year to South Australia’s wine export industry.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said increasing South Australia’s share of major overseas markets was particularly important while the Australian wine industry continued to face challenging conditions.
“Total Wine & More is effectively the American equivalent of Dan Murphy’s. Having South Australian wines featured more prominently across nearly 300 stores is a significant commercial opportunity for our producers,” he said.
“This is exactly the sort of economic diplomacy that creates jobs back home. Every new shelf secured, every new customer won and every new export order supports South Australian businesses, workers and regional communities.”
The agreement will also create closer links between Total Wine & More and producers across South Australia’s wine regions.
Senior executives from the US retailer are expected to visit South Australia during the 2027 International Masters of Wine Symposium in Adelaide, providing another opportunity for them to meet directly with local producers.
The State Government says the agreement forms part of its broader push to diversify South Australian exports and create new international opportunities for local businesses.
“South Australia’s wine industry has an outstanding story to tell,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“This agreement helps ensure that story reaches more American consumers than ever before.”
