Treasury Wine Estates has revealed a brand new $15 million facility in the Barossa Valley, built specifically for the production of low and no alcohol wines. This facility, which took more than two years to build, is a huge enhancement to Treasury Wine Estates’ commitment to innovation in winemaking.
The in-house facility incorporates advanced dealcoholisation technology, including a world-first patent-pending process that treats the aromatic components of wine. This is to make sure the flavour is maintained throughout the dealcoholisation process. This technology addresses common issues found in traditional dealcoholisation methods, which often affect the wine’s chemistry, taking away its richness and mouthfeel.
Treasury Wine Estates Chief Supply and Sustainability Officer Kerrin Petty shared, “This world-leading facility cements our position as a global pioneer in winemaking. This state-of-the-art technology and proprietary process for de-alcoholisation is our latest step in building a hub of innovation, technology and sustainability in the Barossa Valley, where we’ve been crafting wine to delight consumers for more than a century.”
The facility will produce wines for several of Treasury Wine Estates’ well-known brands, including Squealing Pig and Pepperjack, and introduce Sorbet to the market. Sorbet is a new range including lower-alcohol Prosecco, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz, mixed with fruit and berry flavours. This range is set to launch later this year in October.
Leigh Firkin, Head of Commercial Wine for Endeavour Group, also shared, “The new Sorbet range is a high-quality, diversified selection of lower-alcohol wine that responds to consumers wanting refreshment in their drink. For consumers, the artisanal nature of wine needs to be reflected in lower-alcohol alternatives as much as full-strength versions – and that comes through with a fresh take on classic varietals in Sorbet.”
According to IWSR research, the no and low alcohol wine market is expected to grow annually by 5 per cent from 2024 to 2028. This growth is driven by consumers increasingly seeking healthier lifestyle choices, but they are reluctant to compromise on taste.
TWE Group Winemaker, Toby Barlow said, “The complex interaction of aromas and flavours that reflect people and place is part of the joy of wine. Blending our winemaking credentials with customised technology helps us create great-tasting wine that has less alcohol, or none at all. We’re creating products and consumer experiences that we know wine lovers all over the world are looking for.”
This facility is a huge stride in the evolution of wine production technology in SA and aligns with global trends towards health-conscious consumer products.
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