Australian winemakers are hopeful that the nation’s relationship with China is thawing after an extraordinary press conference in Canberra this week.

China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, toasted the nation’ relationship with a glass of Barossa Valley red and confirmed there is potential to resolve previous disagreements.

While Australian wine is still subject to a tariff of more than 200 per cent, the unusual move caught the interest of winemakers across the country.

Risko Isic, the general manager of Sirromet Winery, told Dan Nolan on 4BC Summer Drive he hopes relations can be restored soon, given that production will take some time to return to pre-COVID levels.

“It doesn’t unfortunately happen just overnight,” he said. “We’re probably looking to go back into it in probably about two or three years.

“It takes quite a bit of time for us to go back to how it used to be.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview 

Image: Getty