In the 1950s, American psychologist Aaron Beck introduced a groundbreaking approach to the treatment of depression.
He discovered that people's emotional states change not by the events themselves, but by how those events are interpreted.
For example, of two people who experienced the same failure, one thought of it as 'evidence of incompetence' while the other interpreted it as 'an opportunity for learning.' The better one is at viewing the same situation from a different perspective, the lower the likelihood of suffering from depression.
Beck developed these research findings into the concept of 'cognitive restructuring.' He earned the title 'father of depression' in modern psychology.
Humans do not see reality as it is; rather, they see it through their own lenses.And we have the ability to change those lenses.'Cognitive therapy and emotional disorders' Aaron Beck, 1976
After Beck, scholars continued to research ways to view reality more flexibly and productively, rather than simply thinking positively.
Psychologists such as Martin Seligman and Carol Dweck have developed theories like 'growth mindset' and 'learned optimism.' All of them argue that 'when we discard fixed ideas about situations, places, or people, we can discover amazing possibilities.'
As research findings accumulated, the theory of cognitive restructuring found great success in the business sector. Steve Jobs reinterpreted the phone as a portable computer and created the iPhone. Airbnb restructured 'other people's houses' into 'travel accommodations,' creating a new market.
The world of wine also has examples of cognitive restructuring. Renmark Creek Winery in the Riverland region of South Australia is one of them.
Riverland is a massive region that accounts for about 30% of Australia's grape production. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tons of grapes grow in the expansive plains along the Murray River.
However, the evaluations of Riverland were not favorable. It was seen as the 'home of bulk wine.' Bulk wine refers to wine sold without being bottled, where one purchases the wine from large oak barrels by filling their glass bottles with as much as they want.
Anyone with a little knowledge about Australian wine would not associate Riverland wine with premium wine. Wine enthusiasts removed wines from this region from their collection lists. Major wine books also excluded Riverland from the lists of premium wine regions. While Riverland grew the Australian wine industry in quantity, it was far from achieving quality growth.
Andrew Castles, founder and winemaker of Renmark Creek, applied Beck's 'cognitive restructuring' approach to the world of wine. He reinterpreted Riverland not as a 'cheap bulk wine region,' but as 'a land of undiscovered potential.'
Castles saw potential in the old grapevines and unique soil. He also reinterpreted the characteristics that had been considered weaknesses of the Riverland region. This area, generally thought to be unsuitable for producing high-quality wine due to its hot and dry climate, was found by him to have sunlight that reduces fungal diseases in the vines and allows for consistent maturation.
In an interview with the renowned wine publication Wine Spectator, he noted, 'I started to look at the unique characteristics of Riverland as strengths rather than weaknesses,' and added, 'The chalky soil, wide temperature variations, and clean air are all elements that are well-suited for growing good grapes.'
Based on this 'cognitive restructuring,' Castles took an entirely different approach from traditional Riverland production methods. He carefully selected vineyard locations, maintaining a low planting density to ensure the vines receive ample sunlight. He boldly limited the number of grape bunches that hang from each vine.
The focus on quality over quantity was a rare approach in Riverland until then. However, Castles believed this meticulous method was the most suitable way to unlock the true potential of the region's soil.
In the winemaking process, he used oak barrels that had been in use for 2 to 3 years to maximize the expression of Riverland's terroir over artificial flavors. Aging wine in these barrels allows the original flavors of the grapes to emerge more than the vanilla or wood notes.
The results of redrawing the map of potential in Riverland became apparent quickly. Renmark Creek Chardonnay was awarded consecutively at international wine competitions. This year, it won the top award 'Best of 2025' in the white wine institutional sector at the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
Wine experts expressed surprise that this wine came from Riverland. Noted Australian wine critic James Halliday described it as 'a wine that completely redefines the potential of Riverland.'
The success of Renmark Creek has presented new possibilities for the entirety of Riverland. Other small producers, who had previously shown no interest in quality wines, have also begun to challenge themselves to produce premium wines. Investors and wine experts have also begun to show increased interest in the region.
Renmark Creek Chardonnay is a shining example of cognitive restructuring that has successfully found new possibilities beyond fixed stereotypes. The domestic importer is Colico.