City of Swan to build business relationship with Penglai with finest wines

GERALDTON MLA Ian Blayney and Swan Hills MLA Frank Alban hope to sweeten the palate of China’s business leaders with a drop of Swan Valley’s finest wines and inspire a trade relationship.

Mr Blayney will head to Penglai City, in the north-east of China this month, with a collection of Swan Valley wines.

Mr Alban said he was contacted by business representatives from Penglai City about the possibility of establishing a sister relationship with the City of Swan.

He said he expected officials from China to visit the Swan Valley later this year.

Penglai City is the biggest wine-producing region in China, with about 45 wineries processing 80,000 tonnes of grapes.

Swan Valley Winemakers Association president Daniel Pinelli said the association was excited by the prospect of having a business relationship with Penglai.

“We’ve known for some time that China has been producing wine on a commercial scale and expect the Swan Valley, Penglai and the extended Swan Valley community could benefit,” he said.