With South Australian grape growers seeking ways to diversify, one couple in McLaren Vale is making a bold move from wine production to spirits, focusing on a crop rarely grown in the country—agave tequilana.
What was once a wine grape vineyard is now being transformed, with the first-ever commercial planting of agave tequilana in South Australia. This initiative is a joint venture between local grape growers, Oli and Tara Madgett, and plant-based technology company Vircura.
The Madgetts, who have faced economic challenges in the wine industry for over a decade, are reducing their vineyard by half. By the end of the year, agave plants and malting barley will replace every other row of vines, marking a significant shift in their agricultural operations.
Aiming for Agave Spirits
In the long term, the Madgetts plan to create a locally-produced agave spirit.
“We’ve planted a couple of different varieties, but the main one is tequilana, the variety used to make tequila,” explained Mr. Madgett.
According to Vircura’s Chief Scientific Officer and University of Adelaide researcher Rachel Burton, there is only one other commercial agave tequilana farm in Australia, located in Queensland between Bowen and Airlie Beach. Despite the challenges, Burton is optimistic about the plant’s future in South Australia.
“It’s rare to see agave being grown in Australia, with Queensland providing ideal conditions—warm and wet, which the agave thrives on,” Burton said. “South Australia presents a bit of an adventure, but we’re hopeful.”
Agave’s Resilience and Potential
Known for its toughness, the agave plant can grow to large sizes and adapt to various conditions, making it an appealing option for farmers exploring diversification.
“They’re incredibly resilient plants; they will grow almost anywhere and are determined to survive,” Burton said.
Beyond its use in spirits, the agave plant has a range of other applications. “It’s essentially a sugar-producing plant. The sugar can be used for ethanol, either for drinking as a spirit or for bio-ethanol, which can be used for sustainable aviation fuel,” Burton added. “It’s also fire-resistant, can serve as a natural fence, and its fibers are useful in building materials. Even cattle and sheep can eat it as fodder.”
Overcoming Climate Challenges in SA
While Queensland offers ideal growing conditions, South Australian growers must navigate challenges such as climate, soil, and frost. “The key issue here is frost risk,” Burton noted. “South Australia is much colder than Queensland, and agave tequilana doesn’t tolerate frost well. If we want to succeed in this region, we’ll need to develop cold-tolerant varieties.”
The Madgetts have already faced their first hurdle, as early winter frost struck their new crop. “It was the first frost we’ve had in a decade,” Mr. Madgett said. “Our vineyard was chosen for agave planting because we’re so close to the coast, and typically enjoy a Mediterranean climate without frost.”
Despite this, the agave plants hit by frost are recovering well.
Patience Required for Agave Spirits
It will take time before the agave plants are ready for spirit production. According to Burton, it could be around four years before the plants are mature enough to be harvested for spirits.
“It’s going to take a while,” Burton said. “Some of the other agave species might mature faster, but we’re not sure—it’s an experiment, as they’ve never been grown here before. It’s a world first.”
For Burton, seeing agave finally being planted in South Australia is a significant milestone. “Everybody thinks I’m crazy because I’ve been talking about agave for years. But now that it’s in the ground, and people are beginning to recognize what a versatile and valuable crop it can be for Australia, it’s incredibly exciting.”
You Might Be Interested In：
