The Kangaroo Island Tourism Food Wine and Beverages Association has won an $80,000 grant as part of a $1.2 million state government stimulus.

The South Australian Wine Industry Development Scheme grant is to support a digital transformation across Kangaroo Island's wine industry.

The project will enhance capability in digital marketing, business systems and customer engagement to build resilience following the devastating summer bushfires and the COVID-19 closures.

Eleven projects received grants under the scheme, including those from the Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Coonawarra wine regions; Fleurieu wine regions and associations missed out on the money.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone says in the midst of coronavirus restrictions, the successful projects focus on digitalisation, on-farm technology and disaster resilience and mitigation.

“The $1.2 million of SAWIDS grants will unlock nearly $3.5 million worth of investment in innovation in South Australia’s world-renowned wine industry.

“These grants help build and strengthen our wine industry through projects that develop capability, grow competitiveness and productivity, and increase profitability.

“We had an overwhelming response to the grants program with 28 applications assessed by an independent wine industry expert panel.”

Bushfire resilience and recovery was the focus of two further grants.

The University of Adelaide received $100,000 towards exploring ways to mitigate the effects of bushfire smoke on grape and wine quality.

Wine Australia received a $178,000 grant to develop a new tool to rapidly, objectively and cost-effectively map fire damage in vineyards at block level using high resolution satellite imagery.