Mmmm....Grapes.

On the sixth day we traveled a few hours to the Hunter Valley to explore some of the industries that flourish in this area.  Our first experience of the Hunter Valley was the winemaking industry.  We got a taste, literally, of how this industry has changed Australia’s economy and placed it on the map of globalization.

New technology seems to play a major role in changing industries.  Communication technology has been a useful tool for winemaking companies, specifically in the aspect of marketing.  The internet is the new and easy way for companies to maximize their marketing efforts.  Tempus Two has especially taken advantage of this opportunity to promote tourism through their company.  We saw the way in which Tempus Two incorporates high-end restaurants and shops with their winery to give tourists a complete experience. Both have made available the opportunity to order wines online.  Transportation of goods has proved to be a major factor of the thriving industry, with exports equaling over A$3 billion (The Economist). 

Tyrrell’s Wines and Tempus Two are very different wine experiences.  Even after 150 years of being in the Australian wine industry, Tyrrell’s Wines, which we toured first, is still very old fashioned.  Much of the wine is still made manually, but they are beginning to integrate machines that perform the processes of winemaking.  We actually got to see a few different parts of the cellar areas where the wine is stored.  The site of the winery is set off by itself in the country with an amazing view of the mountains and trees in the background.  The main house of the winery had dirt floors and was simple.  As for Tempus Two, the site was large and in the open.  Besides the vineyard, Tempus Two includes a Japanese and Thai restaurant, and art gallery, and an amphitheater.  Lisa McGuigan opened in Tempus Two in 2003 and it has a very modern feel to it.      

The changing climate of Australia could have damaging effects on the winemaking industry.  The area for quality grapes to be produced could be cut by 40% as temperatures increase (Hopkins).  Right now the climate seems optimal for winegrowing in the Hunter Valley region, but years from now the temperatures will be too warm for wineries to thrive as they do now.  As for changing tastes, the wineries seem to adapt and evolve their wines to the customer preferences.  They seem to enjoy their classic wines greatly, but still provide consumers with other options.