00:02This Hunter Valley winery has seen business dry up as Australians drink less alcohol.
00:09For about probably 12 weeks this year, we're taking a tenth of what we require to pay our bills.
00:15And how do you recover from that?
00:16Wine consumption has been declining across the globe for almost a decade.
00:21In Australia, total alcohol consumption fell about 10% in the three years to 2024.
00:27And the fall in the 2024 financial year was the sharpest we've seen on record.
00:32There are several factors contributing to the decline in alcohol consumption.
00:37From younger Australians drinking less, to tighter budgets because of growing cost of living pressures,
00:42and the arrival and demand of non-alcoholic alternatives.
00:47After launching his non-alcoholic beer brand six years ago, Andy Miller says his business is capitalising on the trend.
00:55In some venues around the country, the non-alcoholic heaps normal draft is outselling other alcoholic counterparts.
01:03The industry says businesses are evolving, but they need help.
01:08Grape growers and winemakers in many of these regions that are suffering need a hand to make a transition out
01:14of the industry,
01:14or a transition to do something else with their property.
01:17The federal government says it knows the challenges the industry is facing,
01:22and has delivered millions in funding, including tax relief.
01:26But that may not be enough to keep the wine flowing.
01:29This one is the best way for people to keep the wine flowing.
