National Wine Centre of Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Wine Centre of Australia |
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The National Wine Centre, Adelaide
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General information | |
Address | North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
Country | Australia |
Coordinates | 34°55′10″S 138°36′51″E / 34.91944°S 138.61417°E |
Opened | 6 October 2001 |
Client | Government of South Australia |
Landlord | University of Adelaide |
Design and construction | |
Architect | Philip Cox |
Architecture firm | Cox Grieve Gillett |
The National Wine Centre of Australia is a special building in Adelaide, South Australia. It is all about learning about winemaking and Australia's wine industry. The centre opened in 2001.
Inside, you can explore an exciting exhibition that shows how wine is made. You will learn about the technology, different types of grapes, and various wine styles. There is also a place where visitors can taste and compare wines from different parts of Australia.
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Exploring the National Wine Centre
The National Wine Centre is a great place to discover the world of Australian wine. It offers many ways to learn and experience.
What You Can See and Do
The main part of the centre is an interactive exhibition. This means you can touch, play, and learn as you go. You will find out about the journey of grapes from the vineyard to your glass. The exhibition teaches you about the science and art behind winemaking.
After exploring, you can visit the tasting area. Here, you get to try different Australian wines. It is a chance to understand how wines from various regions taste different. This helps you learn about the many types of wine Australia produces.
Where the Centre Is Located
The Wine Centre is in Adelaide, a city in South Australia. It sits at the eastern end of North Terrace. This area is part of the beautiful parklands. It is also right next to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
The Building's Unique Design
The building itself is very interesting. It was designed by an architect named Philip Cox. The design uses materials that remind you of winemaking. From the outside, parts of the building look like a giant wine barrel.
Outside the centre, you will see rows of real grapevines. These show seven different types of grapes. This is a unique chance to see how different grapes look. Usually, you would need to visit a vineyard to see this.
History of the Centre
The National Wine Centre has an interesting history. It faced some challenges before it became the successful place it is today.
How It Was Created
The idea for the Wine Centre came from the South Australian government. It was led by Premier John Olsen. Some people were worried about the cost of the project. They even called it a "white elephant," which means something very expensive but not very useful.
However, the government passed a law in 1997 called the National Wine Centre Act. This law helped make the centre a reality. The building officially opened its doors on 6 October 2001.
Partnership with the University
After opening, the Wine Centre faced some issues with its money and how it was managed. To help, the University of Adelaide took over running the centre on 12 September 2003. They signed a long agreement to manage it for 40 years.
Now, the Wine Centre is a key part of the university. It hosts some of their oenology courses. Oenology is the study of wine and winemaking. So, the centre is not just a public attraction. It is also a place where future winemakers learn their craft. It helps show the world how important the wine industry is to Australia.