The decline in Australia’s mining industry has compelled Chinese investors recently to look for alternatives to agribusiness activities, reports The Australian Financial Review (15 January 2015). Vineyards, for example, have grown in popularity amongst Chinese looking to invest. In 2014, three Chinese investors made bids to buy the 410-hectare Hyde Park Vineyard near Melbourne, a deal that is now in final negotiations. "Chinese buyers are active in every major wine region in Australia and around the globe. For example, investors from China have bought about 100 Bordeaux estates since 2010," said Andrew Taylor, Co-CEO of Juwai.com. While here are certainly some hurdles to the growth of Chinese investment in vineyards – such as government austerity measures - the potential is unquestionable, with China being the world’s largest consumer of red wine. [This article is available in print only.]
