Water, water everywhere, and not a drop for vines to drink.
McLaren Vale’s vines are within view of the ocean as it gently teases the shore, yet a chronic drought is gripping the country. Addressing the severe water shortage is an emotive issue for Australia, and the thirsty business of winemaking faces no greater challenge.
The wine industry uses an average of 3.5 litres of water to produce every litre of wine. I don’t know how much I personally use, but each time I slake my thirst during a shift, it’s a guilty pleasure. Our winery has a water allocation...