Yering Station, Victoria's oldest winery with nearly 190 years of history, is pioneering the way for Australian cool-climate wines in India's booming market.
The Story Behind the Label
Yering Station is where Victoria's wine story began.
In 1838, the Scottish-born Ryrie brothers established Victoria's first vineyard on the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, adopting the Traditional Owners' name for the area: 'Yering'. The property changed hands through the decades, with Swiss-French immigrant Paul de Castella expanding operations in the 1850s, even importing vines from Château Lafite. 
By 1889, wines from this very site had won a Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in Paris making it the only one awarded outside the Northern Hemisphere.
The Rathbone family purchased the property in 1996 with an ambition to make great wine. Today, under CEO and Winemaker Darren Rathbone and Chief Winemaker Brendan Hawker, Yering Station has evolved into one of Australia's most respected cool-climate producers. The winery holds a Top 5-Star Halliday rating, and in 2024, the Village Pinot Noir was named #88 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines – the only Australian Pinot Noir to make the list.
Nearly 190 years on, those first vines have grown into a legacy that now reaches consumers in India, one of the world's most exciting emerging wine markets.
What Sets Yering Station Apart
Three things define Yering Station. Provenance, precision and sustainability.
The Yarra Valley is Australia's premier cool-climate region, celebrated for exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Yering Station's five vineyard sites across Yarra Glen and Coldstream each bring subtle differences in soil, aspect and elevation, allowing the winemaking team to capture the nuances of each vintage.
In the winery, the approach balances age-old techniques with modern innovation. Wild yeast fermentation, hand-plunging and maturation in French oak are core to the process, while cutting-edge precision viticulture technology maps the finest parcels from the best blocks.
Sustainability is embedded in everything. The winery is certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, powered by 250kW of solar, and has recently planted over 5,000 native trees in partnership with TreeProject and Yarra Ranges Council. From drip irrigation and soil testing to cellulose-based additives that reduce energy consumption, every decision is made with the land in mind.
As Chief Viticulturist Rod Harrison puts it: "Sustainability isn't just a goal, it's a journey. One we embrace wholeheartedly."
Why India is a Significant Market
India represents the kind of frontier that built Yering Station's reputation almost two centuries ago.
While overall wine consumption remains low, the growth trajectory is compelling. Wine consumption in India has been increasing 15–17% year on year, and according to industry estimates, there are now 4–5 million people drinking wine occasionally – a number that's doubling every four to five years. The International Market Research and Consulting Group values India's wine market at $164 million, projecting an 18.9% compound annual growth rate through to 2028.
Driving this growth is a rising middle class with more disposable income, wine culture featured prominently in media and entertainment, and a generation of 20-somethings in cities like Mumbai who are growing up surrounded by restaurants with serious wine programs, dedicated wine bars, and sommeliers.
Attending ProWein Mumbai in 2023 revealed something exciting for Yering Station. There was genuine curiosity and growing sophistication among Indian wine enthusiasts. This isn't a market looking for mass-produced wines. It's one that appreciates quality, provenance and the story behind the bottle.
The Strategy for Entering India
The wine world is competitive, and success in any new market comes down to partnership.
Yering Station's approach was to find an importer with a premium portfolio who truly understands wine quality across all price points. The company were fortunate to be added to the Anggel's Share portfolio – a Mumbai-based importer with deep expertise in bringing boutique, high-quality wines to the Indian market.
Anggel's Share was founded by industry veterans including Nikhil Agarwal, a trained sommelier, international wine judge, and Wine Australia A+ Educator in India who also co-organises ProWein Mumbai. Their network spans luxury hospitality venues across Mumbai, Delhi and beyond, and their commitment to quality aligns perfectly with what Yering Station represents.
When entering a complex, highly regulated market like India, having a partner who shares your values and understands the local landscape is key.
The Role of Global Victoria
Global Victoria has been instrumental in Yering Station gaining distribution in India.
Its support connected Yering Station with the right opportunities, introductions and market intelligence at a critical time. For a family-owned winery navigating a market as complex and promising as India, having the Victorian Government's trade and investment team in their corner has made a real difference.
Nikhil Agarwal echoes Yering Station's sentiment:
Nikhil Agarwal
CO-FOUNDER
ANGGEL'S SHARE
"We thank Gopi and the team at Global Victoria for introducing us to Gordon and Yering Station and presenting the opportunity to represent this superb wine producing region and its most iconic winery.
It is an important part of our portfolio, and we hope to see the brand reach the three biggest markets within India soon now that it is available in Mumbai"
The Impact of Trade Missions
Yering Station participated in ProWein Mumbai in 2023, which proved to be a pivotal moment.
The trade show brought together 164 companies showcasing over 1,000 brands from 21 countries to more than 5,000 trade visitors. The Australian pavilion, supported by Austrade in partnership with state governments including Global Victoria, provided an ideal platform to showcase their wines alongside some of Australia's best producers.
Those two days of tastings, conversations and relationship-building directly led to Yering's partnership with Anggel's Share in 2024. Trade missions create the kind of face-to-face connections that can't be replicated. And in a relationship-driven market like India, prove to be invaluable.
Future Plans in India
Whilst there are no immediate plans for travel to India at this stage, Yering Station is focused on working closely with Nikhil Agarwal and the Anggel's Share team to build their presence and understand where in-market support will have the most impact.
When the time is right, they'll be back in India, and Global Victoria will no doubt play its part in making that happen.
Proudest Achievements in the India Market
Yering Station believes it is currently the only Victorian winery with distribution in India, and the team are immensely proud of that.
Being first matters, but it's not the whole story. When Indian consumers experience Victorian wine, they're experiencing it through a winery with nearly 190 years of history, world-class credentials, and a genuine commitment to quality and sustainability.
That said, Yering don't want to be alone for long and look forward to more Victorian wineries joining them on the journey, because a stronger collective presence benefits everyone.
Overcoming the Challenges of Export
The wine world is fiercely competitive. Every major producing country is vying for attention in emerging markets, and standing out requires more than just good wine.
The main challenge is finding the right partner. Someone like-minded who understands the brand and believes in what the winery is trying to achieve. India has its own complexities, such as state-by-state regulations, tariff structures, and a hospitality landscape that varies dramatically between cities.
Once that partnership is established, the real work begins. Both parties need to commit to the relationship, support each other in-market, and maintain open, transparent communication. There are no shortcuts. Building a brand in a new market takes time, investment and trust.
Three Key Pieces of Advice for New Exporters
Select your export partner carefully. Not every importer is right for every producer. Look for alignment in values, portfolio positioning, and long-term vision. The cheapest or most eager option isn't always the best.
Be prepared to support your partner in-market. Export isn't a set-and-forget exercise. Whether it's attending trade events, hosting tastings, or providing marketing assets, your commitment signals to your partner – and to the market – that you're serious.
Ensure an open and transparent relationship. Honest communication, especially when things get difficult, is what separates successful partnerships from failed ones. Celebrate the wins together but also be upfront about challenges. That's how you build something lasting.