The wine industry is an ever-changing landscape. Like all primary producers, you’re equally beholden to both market forces and nature. Yet, within this fluid environment, solid legal ground can be found; a reliable foundation that, when considered in light of relevant experience, can facilitate the transformation of your hard work and passion into commercial success.
Our experienced team of wine lawyers can provide that foundation. We have accumulated considerable expertise in dealing with wine industry legal matters and have advised many of the leading names in Australian wine – including some of the most prominent wineries in South Australia – across all areas of business.
We assist all types of businesses operating in the wine industry, including winemakers, grape growers, wine merchants and suppliers to the industry in relation to commercial transactions, liquor licensing, branding and label compliance, intellectual property, dispute resolution, taxation, business structuring, securities and workplace issues.
Our commitment to the sector is also evidenced by our active involvement in industry events and organisations.
Key Services
- Acquisitions and disposals of wineries and vineyards
- Competition and consumer law issues
- Corporate and tax-advantaged structures
- Dispute resolution
- Distribution, agency and marketing arrangements
- E-commerce activities
- Employee and contractor agreements
- Exporting and international transactions
- Financing and capital raising
- General corporate and commercial issues, including corporate governance
- Industrial relations and employment advice
- Intellectual property and confidential information
- Joint ventures
- Liquor licensing assistance and advice
- Sale and commercial documents
- Security for payments
- Specialised brand labelling, trademark negotiations and advice
- Taxation advice, including wine equalisation tax (WET)
- Vineyard leases, vineyard management and grape purchase and supply agreements
- Water licences
- Water sharing arrangements
- Winemaking and grape processing agreements
- Workers compensation advice including companies that are exempt employers
