Chinese poised to snap up Australian vineyards

A wine industry advisory firm warns overseas buyers, especially from China, are queuing up in expectation Australian grape growers are about to hit rock bottom.

A high Australian dollar, grape glut and a disease-affected vintage have pushed growers to their limits.

Industry adviser Toby Langley says overseas buyers are looking for bargains.

"There's been a lot of Asian interest, we've opened an office in China to capitalise on Asian interest," he said.

Mr Langley says some vineyards have halved in value over the past decade but investors think values will fall even further.

"There's examples of vineyards that perhaps were purchased 10 years ago for $80,000 a hectare; that vineyard would achieve about $30,000 a hectare today so over a 10-year period it's more than halved in value," he said.

"I expect there'll be more properties come onto the market after harvest because it just has been such a difficult year and I think it's going to mean people will look at their numbers and say 'You know, I just don't think we can continue' so prices may soften a little more, but we're very close to the bottom."