Viticulture is important for many reasons, but putting those concerns aside. The weather has a great impact on the quality of wine. Grape growers and winemakers (vignerons) are attentive to the weather and its effects on their products, particularly when they notice signs that a grape variety or vineyard has not performed well.
South Australia is a good example, where high-quality winemakers are adapting to the changing climate conditions in their state.
The wind is changing.
My colleagues and I studied the changes in McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide, over the last decade. The wines of this region are regularly awarded international accolades, especially for the dominant Shiraz varietal. The vignerons in this region, like other farmers, are experiencing more extreme heat in the summer and more humid weather, as well as less rain and stronger storms in winter.
In McLaren Vale, the change has already begun.
To secure their irrigation resources, the region’s farmers have joined forces to create a water recycling scheme. The risk of groundwater depletion has been largely eliminated, at least for the near term.
Together with the government, they have strengthened planning policies and protected rural land against the expansion of Adelaide’s southern suburbs. The rural land is now as safe as any other area close to a major Australian metropolis. It is important to note that McLaren Vale has a complex geology and is situated between the Mount Lofty Ranges in the south and the St Vincent Gulf, which moderates the climate.
The network of growers is strong, from the McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association to the Willunga Farmers’ Market and Friends of Willunga Basin. The Geographical Mark is used to define the region’s wines. The mapping strengthens this of the unique soils of McLaren Vale and the increasing knowledge that wine consumers have of its terroir.
Climate policy in Australia is on a sour note.
The whole socio-ecological McLaren Vale system is being strengthened. Before they make decisions about which grape varieties to choose or techniques like mulching, pruning, and harvesting, producers know that they have already strengthened their production system by working together. The Vignerons also work together to promote their products so that they reflect the uniqueness of their location.
They have also experimented on their vineyards and fields with varieties from the southern regions of Europe that may better suit their future climate.
They are indeed developing new methods of farming that maximize the quality of soils and conserve water. Yes, they spread the risk through diversification into other industries and regions, including tourism.
Wine quality is only an indicator of future risk, and we are still in the early stages of a massive ecological shift that will require a different type of thinking about our environment. Wine quality is not a good indicator of future risks. We are still in the beginning stages of an ecological shift, which will require a new way of thinking.
While the best-resourced, most educated, well-informed, and organized Australian farmers are adapting successfully in the short term, they also look to the future, noting that they will meet new thresholds over a long time.
Everybody must work together to slow down the pace of climate change. Early adopters like the McLaren Vale vignerons can teach us a lot, but adapting to climate change isn’t going to be simple.
Heatwaves in McLaren Vale that burn the grapes will continue to worsen, making summers uncomfortable for all. Dry summers will increase the danger of bushfires in the suburbs of our cities. Storms that cause mildew to grow in McLaren Vale can also damage homes across southern Australia.
Australia has a long history of employing accounting trickery in order to make their efforts appear more acceptable.
We cannot aim low in this matter, or we will lose what we value. Not just our favorite wines but also the security of our homes and the land where we grow our food. This is the true message on the bottle.
