With whale watching and southern lights season in late autumn/winter, time to dig out my research for Wine Gippsland Itinerary. Explore the Bass Coast wine trail – wet the whistle before being awed by the majesty of nature.

On Sunday 25 January 2026, Kyneton Ridge Estate will be transformed into Skipping Rabbit Yacht Club for one afternoon only. For the launch of 2025 Kyneton Ridge ‘Skipping Rabbit’ Pinot Noir sunset tasting and live concert by The Yachtski Brothers.

After 10 years at “Heroes” Vineyard, winemaker James Thomas is not just celebrating a milestone, but a decade of meticulous improvement. In 2016, coming to the Otway Hinterland vineyard was a bold leap, but each year since he has steadily refined his reflection of this terroir in the foothills of the Otways National Park.

Vignerons, Craig Mundy and Karen Miller, are pleased to release their Two Bud Spur red wines for winter 2025. Two Bud Spur is one of Tasmania’s southern-most, boutique vineyards in the heart of Gardners Bay in the Huon Valley. First planted in 1996, the site produces slow ripening, cool climate wines that reward aging. Craig Mundy and Karen Miller (both marine scientists) first took on Two Bud Spur as a side project, which has since become their focus.

As of 1 January 2025, Kyneton Ridge Estate is the first certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia in the Macedon Ranges wine region. Since Angela and Andrew Wood bought Kyneton Ridge Estate in 2019, they have been working towards a regenerative viticulture approach. In 2023, they committed to their sustainability journey by becoming a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and preparing for certification of the Kyneton Ridge Estate vineyard.

Step Into the Heart of Tasmania’s Wine Country

Mark your calendars! From 28 February to 2 March 2025, Southern Open Vineyards invites you to experience the magic of Tasmania’s renowned southern wine regions. This festival opens the cellar doors to 41+ exceptional wineries across the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley & d’Entrecasteaux Channel, and the South East. From Hobart, get an insider’s look into the people and pristine environment that define Tasmanian winemaking.

Getaway for the ultimate Tasmanian wine trip – a long weekend of wine discovery during Spring In the Vines 2024. Stay in luxe Hobart hotels and spend your days touring the surrounding wine subregions – Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley & d'Entrecasteaux Channel, and Hobart & the South East.

If you’ve never heard of Mount Gambier wine, you’re probably not alone. Mount Gambier/Berrin is Australia’s newest wine region and was only officially added as a viticultural region in 1982. Berrin is the traditional lands of the Boandik Peoples on the Limestone Coast, close to the Shipwreck Coast.

In November 2023, Macedon Ranges’ Glenhope Vineyard officially launches its 2022 vintage. As a grower vineyard in the northeast of one of Australia’s best cool climate regions, its fruit is much sought-after by local wine icons, including Bindi Wines, Latta Vino, and Silent Way.

For the first time, a collection of small batch wines will be released under the Glenhope Vineyard label:

Part of the Brand Story development, we deep dive into the background, region, winemaking and terroir of a producer to drill down on what makes them special. Then, we can use this content across all touchpoints, from technical notes, media, reworked for website, social media, and database and club emails.

It was fascinating working on the background research for the Macedon Ranges region, preparing the technical notes for Mount Monument. It is such an interesting geology:

Countless Australian producers have attempted to crack the Chinese market, with many taking the approach of ‘educating’ the emerging market on the key varietal and regional characteristics of the wine we make in Australia.

Social media often falls to the youngest millennial in the team, which can be a bit sticky if you haven’t properly briefed them on the voice and style that best represents your brand.

It was brilliant to help host the Peach Pubs team, Dylan, Gabi, Bee, and Jessica for Levin Vintage Experience in the #Loire last week.

 In 2017, Armadale Cellars marks its anniversary with the 20th Birthday Tasting Festival, running from May to September 2017.

Welcoming springtime, Michael Hall brings you his 2015 vintage flagship white wines from Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley. 

Research and writing for the background in Verjus by Nathan Outlaw recipe booklet, distributed to stockist Waitrose stores.

Content written for Mount Stapylton's new website, developing key messages in the brand story, sense of place and vigneron's history.