20 Oct 2017 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) KING Valleys finest was uncorked at Parliament House yesterday in a celebration of the food, wine and tourism mega drawcard the Prosecco Road. Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford joined Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) with King Valley wineries to showcase the best of the regions Prosecco Road vintages. Prosecco Road is a wine and tourism marketing initiative that brings together five King Valley wineries Brown Brothers, Chrismont, Dal Zotto, Pizzini and Sam Miranda. Ms Pulford praised the producers and backed the King Valleys right to use the prosecco name at a time when Italy is trying to lay exclusive claim to the label. Australian prosecco is worth $60 million, with 50 per cent of that hailing from the King Valley in Victorias North East the first region to import the grape about 20 years ago. Victorias King Valley region has an 18-year history of growing and producing prosecco grapes, and is the leading regional producer of Australian prosecco, with total sales worth $22.3 million in 2016. Local prosecco producers have responded to rapidly growing demand from Australian consumers for prosecco, with a 78 per cent increase in production between the 2016 and 2017 vintages. Were backing the King Valleys right to use the name prosecco, Ms Pulford said. The prosecco brand and name has an enormous growth potential and our King Valley producers should have that chance to capitalise. Prosecco Road will further cement Victorias reputation as a global prosecco producer. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.