Australian wine is still drawing record attention in 2025, yet the domestic picture is shifting fast with total sales sitting at 430 million litres for table wine in the 2022 calendar year and premium drinking growing to $3.2 billion in 2022-23. At the same time, export momentum continues with 678 million litres shipped in 2022-23, while at home off premise dominates and varietals like Chardonnay and Shiraz move the market in very different ways.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic wine consumption in Australia 2022-23 was 462 million litres, down 2% from prior year, per capita 17.3 litres
- Table wine sales 2022 calendar year 430 million litres, 93% of total domestic
- Premium domestic sales (>AUD$25/bottle) grew 5% to $3.2 billion value in 2022-23
- Australian wine industry generated $5.4 billion in export revenue over 5 years to 2022
- Wine sector contributed $45 billion to GDP in 2021-22 including tourism
- 170,000 direct and indirect jobs supported by wine industry in 2022
- In 2022-23 financial year, Australian wine exports reached 678 million litres, down 7% from prior year but value up 6% to $2.4 billion
- China imported 121 million litres of Australian wine in 2022-23, 18% of total volume despite tariffs, value $580 million
- US market took 236 million litres in 2022-23, 35% of exports, value $800 million with premium growth
- In 2022, Australian winegrape crush totalled 1.09 million tonnes, a 13% decrease from 2021 due to dry conditions in South Australia and New South Wales
- South Australia's winegrape production in 2022 was 564,000 tonnes, representing 52% of national crush and down 18% from prior year
- New South Wales produced 181,000 tonnes of winegrapes in 2022 vintage, a 2% increase driven by Riverina region's recovery
- Shiraz represents 21% of total national winegrape plantings with 30,000 hectares in 2022
- Chardonnay planted on 23,500 hectares, 16% national total, declining 2% since 2018
- Cabernet Sauvignon 11,500 ha, 8% share, stable plantings mainly Coonawarra/Margaret River
Australian wine drinking dipped in 2022 to 462 million litres as premium off site sales grew.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption28 stats
01
Domestic wine consumption in Australia 2022-23 was 462 million litres, down 2% from prior year, per capita 17.3 litres
02
Table wine sales 2022 calendar year 430 million litres, 93% of total domestic
03
Premium domestic sales (>AUD$25/bottle) grew 5% to $3.2 billion value in 2022-23
04
Off-premise sales 75% of domestic volume in 2022, supermarkets dominant
05
On-premise consumption recovered to 22% share post-COVID in 2023
06
Chardonnay domestic sales 2022 120 million litres, 28% market share
07
Shiraz 115 million litres domestic, 27% share, strong in reds
08
Sauvignon Blanc up 10% to 65 million litres in 2022 domestic
09
Sparkling wine consumption 85 million litres, 18% total, Prosecco style leading
10
Rosé sales doubled since 2015 to 25 million litres in 2022
11
Low/no alcohol wine sales 1.5 million litres, up 50% in 2022-23
12
NSW domestic market 35% national share, 160 million litres
13
Victoria 25% share, 115 million litres consumed 2022-23
14
Queensland growth 4% to 90 million litres, tourism driven
15
Average retail price domestic $12.50/bottle in 2023, up 6%
16
E-commerce wine sales 15% of domestic in 2023, up from 10%
17
Millennial consumption 25% of total volume, prefer premium
18
Female consumers 52% of wine drinkers, Sauvignon Blanc favourite
19
2021-22 domestic clearance 470 million litres, stable
20
Fortified wine consumption down to 5 million litres, 1% share
21
Bag-in-box 20% volume domestic, value down 3%
22
Bottled wine 70% domestic sales volume 2023
23
Direct-to-consumer sales $450 million, up 12% in 2022-23
24
Cellar door sales 15 million cases annually pre-COVID, recovering
25
Wine tourism visitors 4.5 million in 2022-23, spend $1.2 billion
26
Per capita consumption fell to 17.2L in 2022 from 17.8L
27
Cabernet Sauvignon domestic 60 million litres, 14% share
28
Pinot Noir 35 million litres up 8%
Interpretation
Consumption Interpretation
While overall volume is down as Aussies drink a little less but better, the domestic wine scene is a tale of two economies: supermarkets are awash with affordably-priced tipples, yet premium bottles and direct sales are thriving as savvy consumers, led by Chardonnay-sipping millennials and Sauvignon Blanc-loving women, increasingly trade up for quality and experience.
02 · Category
Economics26 stats
01
Australian wine industry generated $5.4 billion in export revenue over 5 years to 2022
02
Wine sector contributed $45 billion to GDP in 2021-22 including tourism
03
170,000 direct and indirect jobs supported by wine industry in 2022
04
Grape growing employed 25,000 full-time equivalents in 2022 vintage
05
Winemaking jobs 15,000 FTE, wages averaged $85,000annually
06
Tourism from wine 42,000 jobs, $2.8 billion revenue 2022-23
07
Total industry value-added $16 billion in 2022, multiplier effect 2.8
08
Regional South Australia wine GDP contribution $8.5 billion, 10% state economy
09
Export earnings per litre $3.54average 2022-23
10
Domestic market wholesale value $6.7 billion in 2022-23
11
Wine Australia R&D investment $50 million annually, ROI 7:1
12
Vineyard investment $1.2 billion over 5 years to 2022
13
Tax revenue from wine $3.5 billion federal/state in 2022
14
Average winery turnover $5 million, 2,000+ wineries operating
15
Small wineries (<50,000 cases) 70% of total, contribute 25% value
16
Large producers (>1M cases) 5% but 60% exports
17
Sustainability investment $200 million industry-wide 2018-2023
18
Water efficiency saved $150 million costs 2022
19
Export tariffs cost industry $1 billion since 2020
20
Recovery projected $3 billion exports 2024
21
Grape grower income average $250,000farm 2022, up 5%
22
Winery profit margins averaged 12% in 2022-23
23
Industry paid $2.1 billion wages 2022
24
Barossa region economic output $2.5 billion annually
25
Hunter Valley $1.8 billion contribution
26
Yarra Valley tourism $500 million yearly
Interpretation
Economics Interpretation
The Australian wine industry is not just about fine bottles and picturesque vineyards; it's a remarkably efficient economic engine, pouring $45 billion into the nation's GDP, supporting a small city's worth of jobs, and proving that every $3.54 export earns far more than its weight in national prosperity.
03 · Category
Exports29 stats
01
In 2022-23 financial year, Australian wine exports reached 678 million litres, down 7% from prior year but value up 6% to $2.4 billion
02
China imported 121 million litres of Australian wine in 2022-23, 18% of total volume despite tariffs, value $580 million
03
US market took 236 million litres in 2022-23, 35% of exports, value $800 million with premium growth
04
UK exports 2022-23 were 92 million litres, up 15% post-Brexit, value $250 million
05
Canada imported 45 million litres in 2022-23, steady 7% share, value $170 million
06
Japan took 22 million litres, 3% of volume, value $110 million premium focus
07
Premium bottled exports (>AUD$10/L) 2022-23 value $1.9 billion, 79% of total value
08
Bulk wine exports 2022-23 232 million litres, 34% volume but 10% value
09
Shiraz exports 2022-23 110 million litres, 16% of total, dominant in US/UK
10
Chardonnay exports 105 million litres, 15% share, strong in Asia
11
Value per litre exported averaged AUD$3.60in 2022-23, up from $3.40
12
Southeast Asia exports grew 12% to 25 million litres in 2022-23
13
EU exports 2022-23 68 million litres, value $220 million despite competition
14
India market exports up 25% to 4.5 million litres in 2022-23
15
South Korea 12 million litres, 2% share, value growth 18%
16
Bag-in-box exports 35 million litres, 5% volume mainly to UK
17
Sparkling wine exports 42 million litres, 6% volume, value $180 million
18
Fortified exports declined to 2 million litres in 2022-23
19
Average export price for Shiraz $4.20/L in 2022-23
20
US Shiraz imports from Australia 45 million litres, up 10%
21
China premium exports value $450 million despite volume drop
22
UK value per litre $2.90, up 20% with premium shift
23
Canada growth 8% volume to 45 million litres
24
Japan luxury segment exports $80 million
25
Total export value 2021-22 $2.26 billion, volume 729 million litres
26
2020-21 exports peaked at 832 million litres pre-tariffs, value $2.9 billion
27
Singapore hub exports rerouted 15 million litres in 2022-23
28
Netherlands as EU gateway 20 million litres
29
Brazil emerging market 2.5 million litres up 30%
Interpretation
Exports Interpretation
Amidst a global thirst for cheaper plonk, Australia has cunningly pivoted to slake the world's palate with less but better wine, proving it's far smarter to ship a few precious drops of Shiraz to a discerning Yank or a tariff-defying Chinese connoisseur than to drown the Brits in a Brexit-flavoured box wine sea.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production30 stats
01
In 2022, Australian winegrape crush totalled 1.09 million tonnes, a 13% decrease from 2021 due to dry conditions in South Australia and New South Wales
02
South Australia's winegrape production in 2022 was 564,000 tonnes, representing 52% of national crush and down 18% from prior year
03
New South Wales produced 181,000 tonnes of winegrapes in 2022 vintage, a 2% increase driven by Riverina region's recovery
04
Victoria's 2022 winegrape crush reached 226,000 tonnes, up 11% from 2021 with strong yields in Heathcote and Yarra Valley
05
Western Australia crushed 58,000 tonnes in 2022, a record high up 25% boosted by Margaret River premium varieties
06
Tasmania's 2022 crush was 4,200 tonnes, up 8% with Pinot Noir comprising 45% of total
07
In 2021-22, total Australian wine production was 1.13 billion litres, down 9% from previous year
08
Red winegrape crush in 2022 was 487,000 tonnes nationally, 45% of total, Shiraz at 41% of reds
09
White winegrape varieties crushed 603,000 tonnes in 2022, Chardonnay leading at 34% share
10
Average winegrape yield in 2022 was 7.8 tonnes per hectare, down from 8.9 t/ha in 2021 due to water restrictions
11
Barossa Valley Shiraz yields averaged 5.2 t/ha in 2022 vintage, producing high-quality concentrated fruit
12
McLaren Vale's 2022 crush totalled 45,000 tonnes, with Grenache up 15% in plantings
13
Riverina region's 2022 crush was 140,000 tonnes, 77% white varieties for bulk wine
14
Yarra Valley Chardonnay production in 2022 averaged 12 t/ha yield, optimal for premium sparkling base
15
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon crushed 12,000 tonnes in 2022, quality rated exceptional
16
National bearing vineyards area in 2022 was 146,000 hectares, down 1% from 2021
17
In 2023 vintage early estimates, crush projected at 1.3 million tonnes, up 19% recovery
18
Coonawarra Cabernet yields 2022 averaged 4.8 t/ha, producing 8,500 tonnes total
19
Hunter Valley Semillon crush 2022 was 15,000 tonnes, yields stable at 10 t/ha
20
Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2022 production up 20% to 5,200 tonnes
21
Rutherglen Muscat crush steady at 2,500 tonnes in 2022 for fortified wines
22
Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc 2022 yields 11 t/ha, total 3,000 tonnes
23
Total 2020 crush record 1.75 million tonnes, highest since 2018
24
2019 crush 1.42 million tonnes, reds up 5%, whites down 2%
25
Queensland winegrape crush 2022 minimal at 500 tonnes
26
Organic winegrape area grew to 5,000 ha by 2022, 3.4% of total
27
Irrigation water use per tonne of grapes averaged 1,200 litres in 2022, down 10%
28
Mechanical harvesting used on 65% of crush in 2022, up from 60% in 2021
29
Premium winegrape prices averaged $2,500/tonne in 2022, up 8%
30
Bulk winegrape prices fell to $800/tonne average in 2022 due to oversupply
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
Despite drought driving a 13% national decline to 1.09 million tonnes, Australia's 2022 vintage was a tale of two markets: premium regions like Margaret River and the Yarra Valley thrived with record quality, while bulk-producing areas faced a sobering oversupply and falling prices.
05 · Category
Varieties and Regions27 stats
01
Shiraz represents 21% of total national winegrape plantings with 30,000 hectares in 2022
02
Chardonnay planted on 23,500 hectares, 16% national total, declining 2% since 2018
03
Cabernet Sauvignon 11,500 ha, 8% share, stable plantings mainly Coonawarra/Margaret River
04
Sauvignon Blanc expanded to 15,000 ha, 10% total, Riverina/Adelaide Hills key
05
Pinot Noir 6,800 ha, 5%, growth in Tasmania/Victoria
06
Barossa Valley total vineyard area 13,000 ha, 80% Shiraz/Grenache
07
Hunter Valley 6,500 ha Semillon dominant 40%, Semillon 2,500 ha
08
Margaret River 5,200 ha, 45% Chardonnay/Cabernet blend focus
09
Yarra Valley 3,000 ha, 35% Pinot Noir/Chardonnay for sparkling
10
McLaren Vale 8,000 ha, Grenache 20%, Shiraz 50%
11
Coonawarra 2,500 ha, 70% Cabernet Sauvignon reds
12
Adelaide Hills 2,800 ha, Sauvignon Blanc 30%, Pinot Noir 25%
13
Riverina 12,000 ha, 85% whites Chardonnay/Semillon bulk
14
Rutherglen 1,800 ha, Muscat/Durif fortified 60%
15
Heathcote 1,500 ha, Shiraz 90% iconic reds
16
Pyrenees Victoria 1,200 ha, Riesling/Shiraz mix
17
Tasmanian cool climate 2,500 ha total, Pinot Noir 45%
18
Prosecco/ sparkling varieties planted 1,200 ha up 50% since 2015
19
Italian varieties total 8% plantings, Sangiovese/Nebbiolo emerging
20
Semillon 9,000 ha, 6% national, Hunter/Riverina stronghold
21
Merlot declining to 4,500 ha, 3% share
22
Riesling stable 4,000 ha, Clare Valley/Eden Valley key
23
Grenache 2,200 ha revival, McLaren Vale/Barossa
24
Clairette Blanche alternative whites 500 ha growing
25
Orange NSW 1,000 ha cool climate Chardonnay/Pinot
26
Great Southern WA 2,000 ha Riesling/Cabernet
27
Canberra District 1,500 ha Shiraz/Riesling
Interpretation
Varieties and Regions Interpretation
Australia's wine scene is a tale of a Shiraz-drenched giant still confidently wearing its crown, a Chardonnay and Cabernet court holding steady, a Sauvignon Blanc upstart elbowing for space, and a chorus of regional specialists—from Barossa's brawn to Tasmania's finesse and Rutherglen's sticky treasures—all arguing, with a glass in hand, over what 'terroir' truly means.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Australian Wine Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australian-wine-industry-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Australian Wine Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australian-wine-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Australian Wine Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australian-wine-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
3 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level