Home to some of the oldest producing grapevines in the world, with some engrafted vines dating back to the mid 19th century, and with the descendants of some of the original founding families still producing wine today. The country’s vast size, and thus huge range of climatic and geographical conditions, makes it one of the most versatile wine growing countries in the world. In 2021, there were just over 146,000 hectares of vineyards in Australia, with 39% planted to Shiraz, 24% to Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% to Chardonnay. Oz has certainly played a major role in the globalization of wine, with numerous big brands having created a strong international presence. In the past decade, it has also become an incubator for young, adventuresome winemakers, seeking out cool climate pockets and pushing the needle for winemaking.
