Wine Technology

Australia has earned its reputation as one of the most technologically-advanced wine-producing nations in the world. The industry’s highly innovative approach – in wine technologies, products and marketing – has made Australia a highly successful exporter.

“Customers are in control,” says Dr Jim Fortune, the Executive Director of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC). “They want consistent production of a range of products, at prices they like as well. This means several players have a role and again the need for strong links and a common direction is emphasised.”

This common direction has yielded a willingness to share knowledge and research through efficient links across the production, marketing, government and R&D sectors. This has helped Australia’s wine industry to seize opportunities swiftly.

“Research has played a key role in underpinning industry growth,” says Peter Hoj, Managing Director of the Australian Wine Research Institute. Wide international attention was recently brought to the Institute's trials on closures, for example, but there are many other vineyard and winery developments that underpin Australia’s efficient production.

Another key research organisation is the Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture (CRCV), an Australia-wide joint venture of 12 core organisations and many supporting organisations. The development and adoption of
innovative viticultural practices, sustainable management systems, and the provision of appropriate education and training services all enhance prosperity in regional Australia, and help secure the wine industry’s future.

Education

In addition to its research strengths, Australia’s wine industry is supported by world-class higher education in viticulture and winemaking from a variety of universities, TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and other educational institutes.

The University of Adelaide was the first in Australia, and probably in the world, to offer university programs in wine business management and wine marketing, integrating technical wine knowledge provided by viticultural and oenological lecturers with wine business and marketing. Northern Melbourne Institute of Technology has offered extensive viticulture and winemaking courses since 1993, while the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, through Charles Sturt University, has also established a reputation for providing quality higher education to the Australian wine industry.

This cooperative supply chain, from education through research and innovation to management and marketing, is the base from which Australian wine has found such success in world markets. Now we’d suggest you stop reading about it – and try a glass of Australian sunshine yourself!