Wine, Wine, and More Wine!

Pucker up - these grapes are sour!

Today we visited Tyrrell’s Winery and the Tempus Two Winery in the Hunter Valley.  We took a tour, listened to explanations of the wine industry and wine-making process, and of course, tasted delicious award-winning wine!   

These two wineries are different in that Tyrrell’s is a tried and true wine operation and prides itself on being a five-generation, family-oriented business.  Tyrrell’s was founded in 1858.  On the other hand, our guide Woody told us that Tempus Two was founded in 2003.  The first thing that Tempus Two wants its customers to notice is the wine bottles and their labels.  They make their visitors feel warm and welcome within the lively vibe.  Their staff is outgoing, but most importantly, they want to market their Pewter, Copper, and Varietal Range wines sold in distinct packaging.  The experience at Tempus Two is much more modern and touristic, while Tyrrell’s focuses solely on their wine.  

In our course pack we read about the changes in communication technology and transport within the wine industry.  Concerning technology, a professional looking webpage and descriptions of the wines is a good suggestion for marketing a winery.  However, Scott at Tyrrell’s told us that the wine industry could have done better at selling itself to the rest of the world.  He must believe that the industry has not taken advantage of changes in communication technology.  

Girls just wanna have fun!

According to an article by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, Australian wine is enjoyed in more than 120 countries.  Twenty percent of Tyrrell’s production is exported.  Changes in communication technology and transport have contributed to the globalization of the wine industry.  According to Scott at Tyrrell’s, a downside to this globalization is that consolidation of the wine industry has affected wine style.  This consolidation occurs when family-owned businesses become publicly held.  

Scott told us that Australia is known for the best cheap wine in the world, but he believes that more of their premium wines should be sold, instead of the high volume bottles sold around the $8 - $10 price point.  In our readings, we learned that Tyrrell’s has introduced chardonnay and pinot noir to the Australian wine industry.  Winemakers need to use flexible practices in order to experiment and try new things.  This will lead to new wine styles which cater to changing tastes and new wine drinkers.  

Sampling some wine at Tyrrell's Winery in the Hunter Valley. 

The future for the wine industry may also be evolving because of changes in climate. One way that winemakers are trying to adapt to changing climate conditions is by using new agricultural techniques, which we read about in the Global Vineyard article.  In precision viticulture, agricultural practices are customized to different sections of the vineyard.  Field tests produce maps of soil moisture.  This data is used to refine irrigation manners on a sectional basis within the fields, thus maintaining optimal moisture throughout the growing seasons.  These techniques are combating the negative effects of warming climates.