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Lifelong surf champion Alistair Boot and Iron House Brewery have partnered to create a new Tasmanian brew that celebrates the island’s iconic Shipstern Bluff surf break. The landmark and its spectacular coastline, located 48km south of Hobart, captivated Boot some years ago and inspired him and his brewing team to create a beer that would resonate well with surfers in the area as well as other local beer lovers. To try and ...

Matua has announced Greg Rowdon as its new Chief Winemaker, following Nikolai St George resignation. Nikolai announced that he would be leaving the New Zealand winery to take up the position of Chief Winemaker at Giesen Wines. “It’s a decision that has left me torn, but after seven years as Chief Winemaker for Matua and a new vintage almost upon us, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to move ...

Winemaker Robert Oatley has sadly passed away, aged 87. The owner of Robert Oatley Vineyards and founder of Rosemount Estate had been ill for a number of months and died on Sunday morning. Mr. Oatley enjoyed a long and diverse career. Alongside wine, he was also well-known as the proud owner of Hamilton island and successful Sydney to Hobart yacht Wild Oats XI. Mr. Oatley produced his first commercial vintages in the early 1970s and ...

Diageo has announced that it has completed the sale of its major wine brands, including US based Chateau and Estate Wines and the UK based Percy Fox business to Treasury Wine Estates. The acquisition was agreed in October last year, after Diageo decided that it would be shifting its focus from wine to give more attention to the core brands within its portfolio. “With the completion of this transaction, Diageo will have released ...

LMG Marketing has announced a rebrand of its name and website to OnTap Data. The business launched as LMG Marketing in 1997 to provide consulting and data management services specific to the hospitality industry. 18 years on, Director and founder Leith McGregor said it was time for a change. “The business has grown so much over the years and we felt it was time to have a name that is a better ...

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a smart-phone app that will allow grape growers and wineries to detect and measure disease on grapes. Backed by Wine Australia, PMapp is able to pick up the widespread presence of powdery mildew on grapevines; a disease that currently costs the Australian wine industry $76 million per year through yield loss and cost of control. With the development of PMapp, the sector will now be able ...

Beresford Wines has opened the doors to what is to be listed as one of South Australia’s ‘must visit’ locations for wine tourism. Called the Tasting Pavilion, this new facility will provide visitors with an innovative tasting experience, including some of Beresford’s exclusive ranges, right in the heart of the McLaren Vale. Three tiers of Beresford’s award-winning wines, such as Beresford’s Estate range which is available for purchase in only a ...

Melbourne-based hospitality group, Dixon Hospitality, has announced its acquisition of three iconic Sydney venues from entrepreneur James Wirth’s Drink’n’Dine group. The acquisition includes The Oxford Tavern in Petersham, The Forresters in Surry Hills and The Norfolk in Redfern, bringing the total number of venues under Dixon Hospitality up to 28. The acquisition also sees the family owned company enter into the Sydney market for the first time. “We’re starting to get scale and ...

Coopers and its distribution business Premium Beverages have created what they’re calling “some of the best jobs in Australia”. These new roles will open up the opportunity for a lucky few to be ‘beer ambassadors’ for the company. As ambassadors, each will responsible for meeting with customers, consumers, hoteliers, restaurateurs and bar staff around Australia to share and talk all about beer. They will also be responsible for explaining Coopers’ brewing practices and ranges. ...

From February, Sydney’s famous The Island Bar will relocate, leaving behind its current location on the iconic Cockatoo Island. Owners Marco Faraone and Mike Edkins decided to make the move after experiencing difficulties with coming to an agreement with Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to renew their lease. The Island Bar has been home to Cockatoo Island for the past five summers and seen some 350,000 visitors pass through its doors during that ...