With the wine industry in flux, Ashley Ratcliffe is stepping up
“Day three of my Great Wine Capitals tour of the Napa (and surrounding valleys) has discovered honesty, courage and excitement.
The day started with coffee at Oakville Grocery & Wine Merchants. I would love a grocery outlet like this in Berri…it would be a game changer for the Riverland. It is a must do visit if you ever head to the Napa.
Our first stop was Kendall Jackson, who were open and honest about the impact climate change was having on their business. The extreme heat in September 2022 created enough of a concern that they installed misting/cooling technology across all 400 acres of their vineyards. I asked the vineyard manager the question, ‘what other options might need to be considered to manage extreme climate variations in the future ‘…..the reply was ‘increase the diversity of grape varieties planted in the region’. Again….I loved the honesty.
Napa is full of outrageously impressive wineries & vineyards. Driving along Saint Helena Highway and there is a plethora of ‘wow look at that’ moments….but then there was a ‘quick stop the car’ incident when we reached the township of Calistoga…hello Tank Garage Winery!
The Tank Garage Winery was my naughty fantasy of the Napa. My preconception & expectations of the Napa was bling, Cabernet Sauvignon & big rich wines.
Who makes wines called ‘talk dirty to me or adult toys’ Who make wines with blends of Greco, Albariño, Montepulciano and other Italian/climate adaptive grape varieties? Who sells wine out of a retro garage? Who is brave enough to do this…..especially in the Napa?
As our industry grapples with the younger generation turning away from drinking wine, it is the courage of people like James Harder & Colleen Cramsie (Harder) and their Tank Garage Winery that will hopefully stimulate the awakening of the next wave of wine drinkers (we need them to survive).
Wine Australia Australian Grape & Wine & Riverland Wine need to promote & encourage the
bravery shown by the Tank Garage Winery. Good examples already exists in Australia (Delequente & Unico Zelo to name a few) but we need many more! We need more fascinating/welcoming cellar doors…such as Big Easy Radio (McLaren Vale). We need to dream a little different and big.
Changes in the climate & buyer behaviour (over time) may actually force the hand of many in the business of wine. It’s great to see so many are already on the front foot.
A big thanks to Cali who served us today at Tank Garage….super professional and friendly.
Note -my posts are a condition of my Great Wine Capitals bursary. The content are my simple observations and views.”
