A polygon dataset showing critical industry Viticulture clusters in the Upper Hunter region. The viticulture cluster includes a highly integrated concentration of vineyards and associated wineries and tourism infrastructure in a rural landscape. The region's unique terrain and climate, its heritage vines and diversity of soil types all contribute to the specific quality and characteristics of grapes produced in the area, especially Hunter semillon and shiraz. Also of importance is the Hunter Valley wine tourism branding based on its natural environment and visual landscape attributes and its proximity to metropolitan areas. The mapped viticulture cluster includes the Pokolbin and Broke-Fordwich Geographic Indication (GI) sub-regions6 industry proposed GI subregions covering the Parish of Belford and localities of Lovedale and Mount View and part of the Upper Hunter Wine GI around Denman.
Industry clusters that meet the following criteria:
- there is a concentration of enterprises that provides clear development and marketing advantages and is based on an agricultural product;
- the productive industries are interrelated;
- it consists of a unique combination of factors such as location, infrastructure, heritage and natural resources;
- it is of national and/or international importance;
- it is an iconic industry that contributes to the region's identity; and
- it is potentially substantially impacted by coal seam gas or mining proposals.