Vinexpo Daily - Review Edition

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT: AUSTRALIA
SUNSHINE CREEK
STANDING PROUD
@ VINEXPO
Mosel Wine region
Adelaide, South Australia –
a Great Wine Capital of the World
In 2015–16, South Australia’s fact, more than 200 of our cellar
Sunshine Creek winery was back at Vinexpo for the
wine industry generated doors are within an hour’s drive
second time – but for the first time with a “standalone”
booth.
$AUS2.11 bn in revenue, with of the city centre of Adelaide, the
$AUS1.34 bn of this from wine capital of South Australia.
exports, and in July 2016, Our state has a unique history of
Sunshine Creek is the venture of Chinese-born
Adelaide / South Australia winemaking. The region is one of
packaging magnate James Zhou, whom over many
became a member of the Great the few places in the world that is
years has worked with Grant Burge, Philip Shaw
Wine Capitals Global Network, free of the grape vine destroying
(eds: a guest at the Vinexpo stand), Philip Jones, Pat
recognising excellence in all pest phylloxera, and the local
Carmody and Mario Marson, and was looking for
aspects of its wine industry producers make almost 80% of
a site to produce wines under his own brand to sell
including wine grape production, the nation’s premium wine from
domestically and overseas. Having found just the
winemaking, research and some of the oldest vines in the
right place at Yarra Glen – Martha’s Vineyard (first
development, tourism and world. With these credentials, it’s
established in the 1980’s) – the new label came to
education.
no wonder Adelaide is known as
be just a few years ago, and today is producing
Australia’s wine capital.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a Cabernet blend
Eighteen distinct wine regions
of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,
span across South Australia, National wine industry
Malbec and Petit Verdot. A Heathcote Shiraz is also
including the Adelaide Hills, associations, major wine
produced.
Barossa, McLaren Vale, education and research and
At Vinexpo 2015, the fledgling winery from the
Yarra Valley near Melbourne was bundled with
a group of other Australian producers. This time,
as the owner, Mr Zhou, had recently purchased
Coonawarra and Clare Valley. In development institutions all have
Château Renon in Tabanac, the group decided to
do a “two-in-one” stand featuring both French and
Australian wineries side-by-side. Hentley Farm’s Andrew Quin
With such an impressive stand, Group Export,
Sales & Marketing Manager, Benjamin Roberts, told awarded Barons of Barossa
Vinexpo Daily that the reason for this was to be able
to host daily master classes covering both wineries.
2017 Winemaker of the Year
“In Australia, our most popular products are our
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,” explains Roberts. “This
year, it’s been interesting for us to see that our most
popular product here is our 2013 Chardonnay.
Everybody really enjoys the ‘old world’ style of this
At this year’s Declaration of
Vintage celebration in South
Australia, winemaker Andrew
wine. It’s not tight and lean. It’s not a buttery, oaky
Quin was awarded the
gold medal award-winning wine. It’s probably got
more structure and complexity, and people really
seem to enjoy that.”
prestigious Barons of Barossa
2017 Winemaker of the Year.
Quin has taken a slightly
unusual road to winemaking,
According to Roberts, there has been new genuine
interest at Vinexpo from distributors in Poland,
Denmark, Switzerland, Holland and Quebec.
transitioning from his original
field of study – horticulture. For
Andrew, winemaking provided
French buyers still, according to Roberts, shy away
an unparalleled opportunity to
combine scientific knowledge
with his artistic flair, in the pursuit
their headquarters in South
Australia, providing leadership
in winemaking and viticulture
intellect and expertise.
Today, the South Australian
wine industry supports not only
highly regarded, established
wine producers, but also a
large number of exciting young,
innovative winemakers who
embrace the use of alternative
varietals and natural winemaking
principles with minimal
interventions and organic farming
techniques •
of creating something that others
could enjoy… great wine!
Andrew joins an elite class of
Barossa winemakers and further
cements himself as one of the
best and consistent young talents
in the country. “I think it’s a pretty
tough job for these guys picking
a winemaker every year, this
community is bursting with great
winemakers,” he stated. “I’m
obviously incredibly honoured
to be the person selected for this
great award in 2017” •
18 VINEXPO DAILY / REVIEW EDITION / FRIDAY 30 TH JUNE