The Australian wine industry's $143 million trade with China could be threatened following the discovery of fake Australian wines in China.

Chinese entrepreneurs are counterfeiting Australian wine, including knock-offs of one of our best-known brands, Penfolds, and promoting the fakes as quality wines in shops and trade fairs throughout the country.

Emanuel Skorpos with a selection of Flinders Run wines alongside a counterfeit Chinese copy, on the right. Credit:David Mariuz

But it's not just big companies being targeted. One small Australian wine producer from the southern Flinders Ranges claims he has been the victim of Chinese counterfeiters.

Emanuel Skorpos of Flinders Run travelled to China earlier this month following reports that one of his wines had been copied.