Australians are being urged to steer clear of 41 Australian wineries after a viral list revealed they were actually owned by Chinese companies.
The explosive list was shared on social media recently following Beijing’s escalating feud with Australia.
It has led to a raft of devastating restrictions to be imposed upon Australian industries, with the wine industry especially hard hit by new import taxes of up to a staggering 212 per cent.
Other industries already affected by Beijing’s bullying include timber, lamb, lobster and barley, and there are fears the tactics could spread even further to other sectors.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The majority of the nation’s Chinese-owned vineyards are located in South Australia, with the Barossa Valley proving particularly popular with Chinese buyers.
In fact, scores of lucrative deals have been struck in the region over the past decade, resulting in estimates that around 10 per cent of the area was now owned by Chinese nationals.
In 2010, 1847 Wine was snapped up by businessman Arthur Wang, who also picked up Chateau Yaldara in 2014 for $15.5 million.
Located near Lyndoch, Château Yaldara is one of the best-known wineries on the list, and was founded in 1947 by Hermann Thumm.
Auswan Creek is also owned by Chinese company Swan Wine Group, while Max’s Vineyard was bought by firm Jia Yuan Hua Wines for more than $3 million in 2017.
In 2018, Cimicky Wines and Burge Family Winemakers were both sold to Chinese parties.
Interestingly, Auswan Creek was one of around 50 wineries to be singled out by the Chinese government when the tariff hikes were announced, but it was slapped with the lowest hike out of the group.
Another big name on the list is Kilikanoon in the Clare Valley, which made headlines in late 2017 when an 80 per cent stake in the company was sold to Changyu Pioneer Wine Co, China’s largest wine company.
WA
Over in WA, a Chinese company took over a majority stake in popular Ferngrove Wines in 2011, while Margaret River’s Woodside Valley Estate and the Perth Hills Western Range were acquired by Palinda Wines – owned by Chinese businessman Jacky Wong – in 2012.
TASMANIA
Nocton Vineyard, located in the Coal Valley, was established by Chinese owners in 1999 and is one of the Tasmania’s biggest vineyards.
NSW
In NSW’s famed Hunter Valley, Chinese investors purchased Allandale Winery in 2016, while in 2011 the 16-hectare Capercaillie Wine was sold to Chinese buyers after being listed for $1.89 million.
VICTORIA
Most of the Chinese-owned vineyards and wineries in Victoria are located in the Yarra Valley, with the Hillcrest Winery purchased for a rumoured $4.6 million in 2018.
Wild Cattle Creek is believed to have sold for $8.5 million while Badger’s Brook also sold the same year for an unknown amount, with all three properties going to Chinese parties.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/busines ... ce1b3a8c58
Sorry it's a bit long but the basic list was taken down from Facebook. Time we knew exactly what China owns here.
