Munda Wines
Birkenhead (Kaurna), South Australia.
Australian Export Awards showcases Indigenous innovation
Winning the First Nations Exporter award affirms that Aboriginal-owned excellence belongs at the highest level of Australian trade – inspiring our team and community while strengthening our ability to share the world’s oldest living culture through wine.
Pauly Vandenbergh, Founder and Chair.
Munda Wines brings First Nations winemaking to the world
Munda Wines believes there are good reasons why Grenache thrives in the Barossa. Why Chardonnay finds its voice in Margaret River. Why Tasmania produces world-class sparkling.
‘These aren’t trends,’ says Pauly Vandenbergh, proud Wirangu and Kokatha man and Founder and Chair of Munda Wines. ‘But rather truths carried by the Munda (the Wirangu and Kokatha word for land) itself.’
Munda Wines is an Indigenous-owned premium wine company and winner of the inaugural First Nations Exporter award category. It produces a range that captures the essence of Munda from across the continent.
‘We celebrate culture, connection and Country,’ says Vandenbergh, ‘sparking a conversation that begins in the glass, but reaches beyond it.’
Authentic cultural storytelling drives global growth
Munda Wines fills a gap in the wine market by combining premium winemaking with authentic cultural storytelling.
‘Uniquely in the Australian wine industry, we name our wines for the Traditional Countries that produce them,’ says Vandenbergh. ‘This honours and elevates what these world-famous wine regions do best.’
Over the past 3 years, the business has gone from concept to export. It now proudly sells into Canada, Malaysia and the US.
A business built on respect
Munda Wines’ international business is built on a foundation of respect for land, people and culture.
‘We have established and respectful relationships with Traditional Owners in all the regions where we make wine,’ says Vandenbergh. ‘We have permission to share their knowledge and stories, and a responsibility to do so with integrity and respect.’
A unique commercial relationship with Australian wine giant, Treasury Wine Estates, is creating pathways for Indigenous employment.
‘We want to model how the wine industry can engage with First Nations culture through collaboration, not appropriation,’ says Vandenbergh.
Connections in Canada
Canada is generally viewed as a challenging market to crack for Australian wine producers. Despite this, the country has become an unexpected export partner for Munda Wines.
‘We didn’t initially prioritise this market. But we did establish and maintain several key relationships that led to initial exports and now an ongoing partnership,’ says Vandenbergh.
‘It’s been an unexpected result that has arisen from prioritising connection over commerce.’
Expansion in the US
Munda Wines has its sights set on the US for key export market expansion.
‘This may come through a very exciting potential Indigenous-to-Indigenous opportunity,’ says Vandenbergh.
‘We can't say much more at this stage – stay tuned!’
We applied to showcase how Aboriginal innovation, cultural storytelling, and premium winemaking can thrive on the world stage. To other exporters, we’d say: back your difference. Authenticity and courage create markets that didn’t exist before.
Australian Export Awards showcases Indigenous innovation
Munda Wines is the 2025 winner of the inaugural First Nations Exporter award category, an outstanding debut at the Australian Export Awards.
‘We applied to showcase how Aboriginal innovation, cultural storytelling, and premium winemaking can thrive on the world stage,’ says Vandenbergh.
‘To other exporters, we’d say: back your difference. Authenticity and courage create markets that didn’t exist before.’
Fact-finding mission backed by Austrade
Austrade supported Munda Wines to attend a recent trade mission to Japan.
The mission included a range of industry showcase events, attendance at the World Expo in Osaka and several industry-specific introductions.
‘It was enormously valuable as a fact-finding mission,’ says Vandenbergh. ‘It allowed us to hone our international messaging with immediate feedback.’
Sustainable scaling of a story-led brand
Scaling sustainably while maintaining authenticity remains Munda Wines’ key challenge.
‘We’re meeting this challenge by partnering with distributors who understand the power of story-led brands,’ says Vandenbergh.
‘We’re also prepared to say “no, thanks” to opportunities that don’t align with our values.’
Cheers to a bright future
Munda Wines’ 5-year plan will see it build a culturally strong, globally competitive wine business.
‘Our export strategy is guided by long-term relationships, authentic storytelling, and sustainable growth,’ says Vandenbergh. Seeking new markets in China and the UK will drive scalable expansion.
‘This next phase of Munda’s journey is about deepening impact, expanding reach, and ensuring our growth continues to reflect who we are: strong, proud, and grounded in Country.’
Visit Munda Wines website.
