Gold Coast winemakers are angry about the price of sponsorship deals for the Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

Queensland winemakers have complained that sponsorship rates for Gold Coast 2018 are too high and have called on organisers to support the local industry.

Australia's winemaker of the year Mike Hayes, from Symphony Hill Wines on the Granite Belt, said local producers could not afford the sponsorship rates offered by the Gold Coast 2018 organisers.

"There were four or five wineries that were approached and they just said it is impossible for them to afford that," he said in an interview with ABC Radio.

Hayes also suggested the idea of Government support for wineries, so they could afford to be sponsors of the Games.

Mark Peters said he was open to the option of an official wine sponsor ©Getty Images
Mark Peters said he was open to the option of an official wine sponsor ©Getty Images

Following the uproar, Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters said he was open to the option of an official wine sponsor.

"We don't have a major sponsor for wine, and we'd be happy to keep those conversations going," he was reported as saying by the Daily Mail.

He then insisted local Queensland wine will be served throughout the event.

"Queensland wines will be served during the Games because we know the caterers have got those deals," he added.

The leader of the opposition in Queensland, Deb Frecklington, called the current sponsorship deal "devastating for the wine industry in Queensland".

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place from April 4 to 15 in the Australian city.