UON Wine Studies Research Network Roundtable

International Trade and the Hunter Valley Wine Industry – Opportunities and Strategies for Resilience

Friday 30 October 2026 | 11:00am–1:30pm (followed by a networking lunch)
Room X803 NUspace, University of Newcastle | 409 Hunter Street, Newcastle
Morning tea available upon arrival

The University of Newcastle Wine Studies Network, supported by the Institute for Regional Futures (IRF) and the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), invites you to a multistakeholder roundtable exploring the future of the Hunter Valley wine industry in a changing international trade environment.

The Hunter Valley wine industry is shaped not only by local conditions, but also by international markets, trade agreements, government policy and changing global relationships. With developments including the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement and Australia’s evolving trade relationship with China, what do these changes mean for wine producers and the broader Hunter region?

This roundtable will bring together industry, academics, students, the general public and policymakers to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the Hunter Valley wine industry, including:

• What recent and emerging international trade developments mean for Australian and Hunter Valley wine producers
• Opportunities arising from the Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement
• The evolving trade relationship between Australia and China
• Opportunities to diversify markets and strengthen international competitiveness
• How changing local conditions intersect with international market pressures
• What government, industry and universities can do to support resilience and long-term regional prosperity

Our panellists

The discussion will be chaired by Professor Angela Daly, School of Law and Justice, University of Newcastle, and will bring together perspectives from international trade, business, law, research and industry.

James Burgess — Trade Representative, Delegation of the European Union to Australia, bringing a European and international perspective on Australia–EU trade developments and emerging opportunities.

Dr Sheree Gregory — Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, providing business and economic insights into industry conditions, competitiveness and changing market environments.

Dr Yucong Wang — School of Law and Justice, University of Newcastle, bringing legal and policy expertise on international trade and the regulatory environment affecting Australian exporters.

Jennie Curran — CEO, Hunter Valley Wine Tourism Association, bringing a regional wine tourism and industry perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the Hunter Valley wine sector.

Government Representative — Bringing a government perspective on policy, trade and regulatory developments relevant to the Australian wine industry and its future opportunities.

Format

Professor Daly will lead the first part of the session through a series of prepared questions for the panellists. The discussion will then open to questions and contributions from the audience.

The formal roundtable will run from 11:30am to 12:30pm, followed by a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for participants to continue the conversation and connect with other stakeholders.

Who should attend?

This event is open to anyone interested in the future of the Hunter Valley wine industry, international trade and regional economic resilience, including:

• Wine and agricultural industry representatives
• Business and industry leaders
• Government and policymakers
• University academics and researchers
• University students
• Regional economic development organisations
• Members of the Newcastle and Hunter Valley community
• Anyone interested in Australia’s international trade relationships and their regional impacts

Join us for an informed and open conversation about how the Hunter Valley wine industry can respond to changing international markets, capture new opportunities and build resilience for the future.