But the 325 year old estate was thrown a lifeline by an increasingly bitter row between two countries thousands of miles away.

Long simmering tensions between Australia and China boiled over after camera led international calls for an inquiry into the origins of the global health crisis in Wuhan.

Beijing retaliated in November, slapping a 212% tariff on Australian wines.

Before then, Chinese drink has bought nearly 40% of Australia's exported wine.

But with trade brought to an abrupt halt, companies like Virgin Ludlow were given an opportunity.

We wouldn't be where we are today without this China deal.

Sean McVeigh is marketing director of the estate, which has recently won a new Chinese contract.

Just being able to get rid of not only the stock that we currently sit within our cellar, but with the agreement in place that the volume increases every year, it's just given us a bit of that financial a surety for the next five seven years way should be in a good space.

Exports of South African wine to China have jumped 50% over the past three months, according to the trade body Winds of South Africa.

At the Cheers Wine shop in Beijing, owner Lynn Lulu welcomes the change.

Now the South African wine has great advantages.

The Australian wine because of the new tariff situation.

I think the South African wine has great potential to surpass the Australian ones now.

And it's not just booze and not just South Africa.

The trade dispute also gives opportunities to countries across the continent to boost exports of everything from Bach side to beef.

Analysts do warn, however, that the Chinese market presents a range of obstacles, including language barriers and opaque bureaucracy.