Old Vines Under Pressure as Brisbane Winemaker Dinner Backs Independent Australian Producers

Australia’s wine industry is facing challenging conditions in several regions, with some growers making the difficult decision to remove established vineyards as production becomes increasingly difficult to justify financially.

For wine lovers and independent producers, the concern extends beyond economics.

Some Australian vineyards contain vines that have survived for many decades — in certain cases for more than a century — becoming part of the country’s agricultural and winemaking heritage.

When those vineyards disappear, supporters of the industry argue that Australia risks losing more than simply another source of grapes. It can also mean losing a piece of regional history, winemaking tradition and knowledge that has developed over generations.

Against that backdrop, a Brisbane initiative is attempting to connect consumers more directly with independent Australian producers through a series of Winemaker Dinners.

Rather than simply serving wine alongside a meal, the concept gives diners an opportunity to meet the people responsible for producing it, hear their stories and better understand the challenges faced by smaller wineries.

South Australian winery Borachio coming to Brisbane

The next dinner will feature Borachio, an independent South Australian winery founded by Alicia and Mark.

Established in 2016, Borachio has developed its identity around small-scale, independent wine production and an approach that focuses on allowing the vineyard, vintage and fruit to influence the finished wine.

The Brisbane event will give guests an opportunity to meet the winemakers while experiencing a selection of Borachio wines paired with a specially created menu.

According to information provided for the event, the dinner will include several courses and wine pairings, including Chardonnay, Grenache and a sister-act sparkling Shiraz.

The food component will be led by former Montrachet chef Sara Calas, adding a restaurant-focused element to the winemaker experience.

Supporting smaller Australian producers

Behind the event is a wider message about supporting smaller producers at a time when parts of the Australian wine sector are experiencing significant pressure.

Independent wineries generally operate without the scale and distribution networks available to major wine companies. Direct relationships with restaurants, retailers and customers can therefore become particularly important.

Events such as winemaker dinners allow producers to tell the story behind their labels while giving customers a clearer understanding of where their wine comes from and who produces it.

For organisers, supporting Australian wine can happen at a very local level.

“Little by little, table by table, bottle by bottle, we can make a difference,” the event promotion says.

It is also a reminder that the survival of smaller vineyards and wineries depends partly on consumers continuing to discover and support Australian-made wine.

Event details

The Meet the Winemaker – Borachio dinner will take place in Brisbane on Thursday, 17 September, from 6pm to 9pm.

Tickets are advertised at $119 per person.

Bookings can be made through Wild Legs via Instagram or Facebook.