THE Burge name is a Barossa legacy, through and through.

Take a drive through the region’s winding roads, and you’ll find their vineyards dotted all across the Valley’s sprawling landscape.

But their passion transcends state borders and international waters, as they showcase their wines on the world stage.

The need to expand overseas comes after winemakers suffer the fallout of strict tariffs imposed by China on wine exports, forcing them to hurriedly saturate other international markets.

One of those markets is North America, prompting the State Government to launch its Explore Canada program.

Showcasing the best of South Australian wine, local producers will learn how to hit the ground running in the Canadian export market, helping them connect with Canadian buyers and retailers to secure international orders.

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals about 73 per cent of Australia’s wine exports to Canada are from SA – and that number is set to grow.

Trent Burge, of Barossa Boy and Corryton Burge wines, is set to represent some of the best Barossa wines as part of the initiative, which is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Investment and Wine Australia.

They will be joined by a host of other Barossa labels, including Hart of the Barossa, Lou Miranda Estate, Gibson Wines and Teusner Wines. 

The Barossa Valley, renowned for a world-class shiraz, is home to some of the oldest continuously producing vines in the world.

While Corryton Burge and Barossa Boy Wines have already made the foray onto Canadian shelves, Trent said it was a tough market to crack, as its provincial governments own and control distribution of international wine imports.

South Australia is heralded as the nation’s leading wine producing and export state, with 70 per cent of exported Aussie drops made right here.

While Barossa Boy and Corryton Burge did not venture into the Chinese market, Trent said it serves as a cautionary tale.

“If we can learn anything from the China effect where people are putting these big tariffs on, it’s that we can’t have all our eggs in one basket,” he said.

We’ve been indirectly affected by China, because people who were selling their wine to China now have got wine that they need to sell in other markets, so I think everywhere – especially the domestic market – has become a lot more competitive.”

But for Trent, it’s all about diversifying into different markets.

No stranger to exports, his brands are already sold in multiple international destinations, such as Singapore and South Korea, with an Ireland debut on the horizon.

Speaking to The Bunyip newspaper and SA Farmer, he said the distinct flavour of a Barossa drop is sure to stand out among the rest.

“The biggest thing that I see is the fruit… Australian wine and especially Barossa wine has an amazing knack for getting a lot of fruit character in our wines, and they’re quite powerful and enjoyable,” he said.

“Whereas if you go to a lot of other places around the world, they’re not quite as fruit driven as what Australia and the Barossa can bring to the table.”

“You can see the new world versus the old world.

When you look at the more traditional markets like France, they are more powerful wines but they don’t look quite as bright, and I think Australia can really bring that to the table.”

Trent said that the worldwide representation of Barossa wine speaks volumes about the region as a tourist destination.

“We’re such a great area with the diversity between food, wine and accommodation,” he said.

“We have a great area for people to visit and enjoy what we have.”

Barossa Australia CEO James March said the region fosters winemakers to remain competitive on the world stage.

“Barossa Australia has put in place several strategies to support our export growth,” he said.

“This has included partnering with wine educators to deliver Barossa Wine School programs to over 3000 people globally.

“Additionally, we have global ambassadors who are located in key markets such as the UK, Hong Kong, Germany/EU, Canada, the US and New Zealand who can act on the region’s behalf in those markets. There is no other Australian region with the global reach of the Barossa.

“We have a long history of innovative endeavour that has put the Barossa on the map and ensured that we have remained relevant.”