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Victorian wine industry sips success
12 Jul 2004
A comprehensive study of Australia's wine regions by the Bureau of Rural Sciences shows that Victoria has the most vineyards of any state and the largest number that open to the public. BRS's "Social Atlas of Australia's Wine Regions" shows 436 wineries were established in Victoria from 1991, with 362 of these operating cellar doors. Most of the wineries are in a zone that includes Mornington Peninsula to Geelong, with a concentration in Coldstream and Yarra Glen.
Growth has been identified as the key trend in Australia's wine industry, with a 150 per cent increase in the number of wineries from 1991 to 2002. Employment in grape growing and wine manufacturing trebled, to 30,000, in the decade to 2001. But the work is low-paid, with median incomes in 11 regions below the national median for 2001.
The Winemakers' Federation of Australia said many industries, such as tourism and hospitality, benefit from having vineyards close by. Vice-president Paul Chambers predicted that after a period of growth the industry will level out, with some "lifestyle choice" vineyards falling by the wayside.
The Age, 10/7/04.
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