WINE journalists and buyers from across the world will visit Bendigo this week to sample the wares of eight Bendigo region wineries.
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The wineries will roll out of the red carpet for the guests, setting up a special display inside Central Deborah Gold Mine with samples and a presentation from the winemakers.
The delegations will also visit Balgownie Estate at Maiden Gully during the visit.
The visits from Tuesday to Thursday will be the first time one of the wine trade mission has ventured to the Bendigo region, having usually stayed in Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula.
The wineries involved are Sandhurst Ridge, Balgownie Estate, Blackjack Wines, Harcourt Valley Vineyards, Mandurang Valley, Sutton Grange Winery, Turners Crossing Wines and Water Wheel Vineyards.
Sandhurst Ridge winemaker Paul Gleblo said it was a great opportunity for the region's wineries.
"It's really good to be able to show what we actually do here and for them to visit the region," he said.
"The journalists on the tour will be good for helping to market our wines to the world.
"I don't think there's any other area that would be able to have a set up underground in a mine either."
The tour is part of the state government's Meet the Winemaker program, attracting trade missions from across Asia.
The wine buyers will represent China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.
The journalists will travel to Victoria from across the world.
More than 100 wineries across Victoria will be involved.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the visit would provide greater opportunities to winemakers to open up to more export markets.
"The Bendigo region makes some cracking wine and we want to encourage people to come here and enjoy it," she said.
The state government is developing a Victorian Wine Tourism Strategy and a Wine Industry Ministerial Advisory Group.
Victoria exports 55 million litres of wine per year to 80 countries, generating $1.35 billion a year and employing 11,500 people.