This New Initiative Wants to Turn Sydney Into the World's Biggest Urban Vineyard

These days, most Sydneysiders head to the Hunter or the Southern Highlands when they're looking for a local wine. However, back in the 19th century, it wasn't necessary to go so far. Vineyards flourished all over Sydney itself — from Macquarie Street, where Australia's first grape vines were planted 230 years ago, to Parramatta to Narrabeen. You pretty much couldn't travel in any direction without feeling tempted to stop for a glass or two.

For the most part, these historical vineyards were paved over at one time or another, to make way for housing, roads and car parks. Now, though, Cracka Wines wants to bring grapes back to the city. How? By getting residents to grow them on their porches, windowsills and in their backyards. And, to encourage everyone to get started, they're giving away vines of the Pinot Noir and Riesling varieties, because they're the ones that grow best in Sydney's temperate climate.

This ambitious, citywide initiative is called the Urban Vineyard Project. Once the vines are growing, participants will be invited to upload them to an online map, which lets them see where other vintners are busy at work. While they're at it, they can access some helpful instructions for cultivating and harvesting grapes, and, of course, making good wine.

"On average, Aussies drink around 530 million litres of wine each year!" says Dean Taylor, founder and CEO of Cracka Wines. "We want to educate them further on the wine making process and bring everyone together over a shared love of wine."

For more information, visit the Urban Vineyard Project website