Vineyard

Wine is directly linked to the grapes and the vines from which it comes. The National Wine Centre of Australia provides insights into wine growing, making and consuming. To best reveal the stages of a growing vine the Centre created its own fully functioning vineyard.

The hectare of vineyard features approximately 500 vines providing a selection of seven of the most important red and white varieties used in the Australian wine industry. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Semillon and Riesling are featured with pride of place, and the greatest number of vines is given to Shiraz, on which Australia has developed its world's best reputation.

The vineyard is a key element of the Centre's working exhibition and display areas and represents cultivation and growing methods used in modern Australian viticulture. The creation of the vineyard is the result of the generous support of the Australian wine industry. Some of this country's leading vignerons, winemakers and viticulture experts have provided their time and assistance to help establish the vineyard.

The vineyard provides an educational focus displaying the technology involved in weather monitoring, water use, soil treatments and vine trellising, training and pruning while alerting visitors to vineyard hazards, in particular, phylloxera. All of the vineyard components, together with the associated labour required to establish the vineyard, were provided through donations from the industry and its suppliers.

The centrepiece vineyard has a unique arc configuration designed to complement the curves of the main buildings while also providing a link to and from the adjacent Botanical Gardens.

The National Wine Centre showcases a large selection of Australian wines, state-of-the-art multimedia displays, a major exhibition including interpretation of the winemaking process using actual winery equipment and wine appreciation courses.

The vineyard completes the National Wine Centre's total wine experience.