Here’s how one winery is working to save it.
Climate change could make Australian wine go extinct. Here’s how one winery is working to save it.
Climate change is rapidly shrinking wine-growing regions worldwide. A global temperature increase of just 2°C could render 56% of current growing regions unusable.
Australians need to know that if we don’t act, many of our country’s most popular wines, like Shiraz and Chardonnay, could go extinct.
That’s why boutique wine producer Ampersand Estates, with help from the Wildlife Land Trust, created Tomorrow’s Vintage: wine from the future that includes a 2040, 2080, and 2100 Shiraz.
But Tomorrow’s Vintage doesn’t come fully filled. The 2040 bottle is only 86% full, because only 86% of wine-growing regions are projected to still be usable that year. The 2080 is only 56% full. And the 2100, a mere 44%.
It's not too late to act. When scanned, bottles of Tomorrow’s Vintage invite Australians to sign a Conservation Agreement with the Wildlife Land Trust – to protect their land against environmentally-harmful activities and help conserve the many ecosystems that support Australia’s wine-growing regions.
On the campaign website, Australians can also donate to the Wildlife Land Trust or share the campaign.
Ampersand Estates co-founder, Corrie Scheepers, said many people equate climate change with rising sea levels, floods, and bushfires.
"This is a far less abstract reminder of what we can expect. If we don’t do something, good wine is one of the things we’ll lose." she said.
2040, 2080, and 2100 bottles of Tomorrow’s Vintage are now on display at tasting events and select Dan Murphy’s locations. Fully filled 2021 bottles are also available for sale.
Melissa Bell, Ampersand Estates co-founder, said this is the company's way of saying the glass is still half full.
“We hope that Tomorrow’s Vintage prompts thought and action. And it starts with protecting Australian land today," said Bell.
