Martin Gransden
TAKING THE LEAD
Forward-thinking viticulturist Martin Gransden is on a mission to make alternative varieties mainstream, and help Australian wine maintain its competitive edge.
Martin spent months travelling the world to investigate different grape varieties, after winning the Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarship in 2018. Now he wants to help other growers expand their horizons and plant new varieties that are right for their vineyards. Having stumbled into the wine world through a casual vineyard job where he grew up in Orange, Martin is deeply passionate about what he does.
Reaching new heights
From a picturesque vineyard in the cool-climate Orange wine region, Martin is thinking about the future. He believes that alternative varieties from around the world have exciting potential in Australia, adding to our already diverse wine scene.
“I think it’s time to explore more varieties that suit our climate, because it’s changing,” says Martin. “And our customers are also changing. They’re starting to look for something different and I think alternative varieties can play a real part there.”
At Cumulus Vineyards in the Orange wine region, Martin grows Alvarelhão – a native Portuguese variety rarely seen in Australia. He also grows Viognier, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Barbera, as well as a sweep of more traditional varieties, including Shiraz, Grenache and Pinot Gris.
Cumulus is one of the largest single-estate vineyards in Australia. Draped over rolling hills, it straddles the Orange wine region and Central Ranges wine zone, as it rises above and dips below 600 metres above sea level. That’s the marker of the Orange wine region – vineyards must be higher than 600 metres.
As well as leading the charge for alternative varieties, Martin is a passionate advocate for wines from Orange.
“In the Orange region, what you see is what you get,” says Martin. “You’re seeing a bottle of wine that’s grown and made locally. And we’re doing our best to grow that premium fruit from this beautiful patch of dirt in the season that we’re given.
“I enjoy growing wine because we’re producing a product that brings enormous enjoyment to people around the world,” says Martin. “It’s a product like no other.”
“With our changing climate and changing customer tastes, I think that alternative varieties have a real part to play in the future of Australian wine.” – Martin Gransden
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