sallyhammond.com.au

AUSTRALIA’S WINE

When the first vines were planted in the original Jacob’s Creek vineyard in South Australia’s Barossa region in 1847 no one could have predicted its success. Those original vines were simply designed to make sweet sherry and port, purely for domestic use. 

Just over 150 years later, in 1999, Australia’s wine exports topped $1billion. In 2007 it was $2.8 billion. This Barossa winery is responsible for a good share of this with export sales in Europe and Asia of eight million cases. In fact it is estimated that around two million glasses of Jacob’s Creeks wines are enjoyed around the world every day!

Understandably, the eyecatching and  recently opened Jacob’s Creek Visitor’s Centre receives more than 200,000 visitors a year. In fact the winery is so well known that the road sign for the area has been stolen several times – a sure sign of fame. Now it is about to become even more well-known.

Jacob’s Creek is one of only three global sponsors (the other two are, predictably, Qantas and Tourism Australia) of the Baz Luhrmann epic Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Following the November launch in cinemas, every carton of Jacob’s Creek wines sold overseas will be emblazoned with the film’s logo and distinctive outback sunset silhouette scene.

Last week, with some other journalists, I was invited to fly (with Qantas of course) to the Barossa for the day to be present for the launch Jacob’s Creek’s involvement with the film. As we lunched on fine South Australian produce prepared by the winery’s talented Executive Chef, Veronica Zahra, we were shown some clips from the movie and of Baz Luhrmann briefly sharing on camera the story line and his hopes for the film.

The movie has certainly taken a long time to produce and cost many millions of dollars. There has been a huge amount of media hype and speculation  surrounding it and its stars. Everyone seems to expect that it will be a hit, and most hope it will increase awareness of Australia and encourage tourism.

But one thing I know. If it turns out to be as profitable and successful – and as well-appreciated – as Jacob’s Creek, it will be a world beater.

 

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