AUSTRALIA | Wine Australia has faced retaliation following its decision to cancel an export licence to protect the reputation of Australian Wines.
Private Label Services Pty Ltd has applied to the Administrative Review Tribunal for a review of Wine Australia’s decision to cancel its export licence. Wine Australia and Private Label Services have separately agreed to an interim stay of Wine Australia’s decision to cancel Private Label Services’ export licence until 16 April 2026, pursuant to section 32(2) of the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024.
Wine Australia previously conducted an investigation into Private Label Services sourcing wine from Jindalee Road Wines and continuing the export operations of Jindalee Road Wines, following the cancellation of that entity’s export licence in June 2024.
As a result of that investigation, Wine Australia cancelled the export licence held by Private Label Services Pty Ltd (trading as CoLab Wines).
Wine Australia is committed to ensuring that consumers worldwide can be confident that wine label claims about vintage, variety, and geographical indication are correct.
Importantly, there are no concerns about health or safety for consumers of the wine produced/exported by Private Label Services.
Private Label Services Pty Ltd was within its rights to make an application to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of Wine Australia’s decision to cancel its export licence in accordance with the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024.
Wine Australia is not able to comment further in relation to the matter.
Wine cannot be exported from Australia without an export licence issued by Wine Australia, which has the power to suspend or cancel licences when necessary.
There is a strong culture of compliance in the Australian grape and wine sector. Wine Australia has only suspended or cancelled eight licences in the past ten years, including Private Label Services Pty Ltd. To put that in context, there are more than 1,800 active licence holders.
Wine Australia is funded by the sector, for the sector, through grapegrower, winemaker and exporter levies and user-pays charges, with matching funds from the Australian Government for research and innovation.
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