A fine Macedon pair
A fine Macedon pair – 2025 Kyneton Ridge Riesling and ‘Skipping Rabbit’ Pinot Noir – I last tasted these when they were just bottled in January; now both are much more integrated and aromatic. Showing the class that got winemakers Patrick Wood and Greta Darling-Filby into Top 50 Finalists in Young Gun of Wine Awards 2026.
Return to the elephant
Revisiting this wine after February’s @67pallmallmelbourne Masterclass: Eric Kientzler & Jérôme Mader – Two Grand Cru Perspectives at Julie Restaurant. Jérôme Mader is a young star on the rise in Alsace.
Young Gun of Wine
Great line up at last week's @younggunofwine Trade Tasting - Lauren & Mathias' @utzinger_wines come out winners and their Tamar Pinot was a highlight - @marcustorziwines Whisper of Chaos riff on 'super Tuscan' was a banger. Such a strong line up for the 20th running...
From Graves to Glass
Great Bordeaux masterclass from 67 Pall Mall feat. Pessac-Léognan’s Château Latour-Martillac. Vigneron Edouard Kressmann is on his first Australian Tour and gave us a tutored tasting upstairs at L'Hotel Gitan.
Bass Coast Wine Trail
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.
Press Release: ‘Skipping Rabbit Yacht Club’
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.
Press release: ‘A Decade of Refinement – 10 Years of honing in the Otway Hinterland’
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.
Press Release: ‘2025 Winter releases from sustainable, boutique Huon Valley vineyard’
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.
Press Release: ‘First Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Certified Vineyard In Macedon Ranges’
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.
Press Release: ‘Discover Tasmania’s Southern Open Vineyards’
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.
Press Release: ‘Ultimate Wine Trip - Spring In the Vines presented by Wine South Tasmania - 1-3 Nov 2024’
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.
Mount Gambier. New World Etna?
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.
Press Release: ‘Inaugural Vintage Release’
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:
Video Production: Vineyard to Table at LEVIN Wines
In Sept 2019, I wrote and produced a video for Domain LEVIN, in the Loire Valley, France. I worked with a French documentarian and drone camera videographer to shoot the 12-min short film. This film documented the journey from the vineyard to table – focusing on the vintage, exploring the story, terroir, vineyard to table traceability, ethical and organic production, local traditions, cuisine and culture.
Brand Story Development: Gippsland Wine Company
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.
Macedon Ranges – high times
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:
Unlocking the Chinese wine lexicon
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 style guide for the skimmers
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.