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McWilliam’s Wines is one of Australia’s most respected wine businesses with vineyards in premium wine regions stretching from the Hunter Valley to Western Australia. Five years ago we interviewed the then newly appointed CEO Rob Blackwell, to get an understanding of the work that lay in front of him in a challenging retail environment and a portfolio of over 1,100 products. Upon hearing that this year he intends on stepping ...

Former Pernod Ricard Australia Sales Director, Kevin Mapson, has been appointed as Managing Director of the wine and spirits company’s New Zealand business. Mapson previously worked for Pernod Ricard New Zealand in 2004 as National Trading Manager and later General Manager Sales before moving to Pernod Ricard Australia as Sales Director. He has already relocated to the country to start his new role with immediate effect. Replacing Mapson is Jeff McKenzie, formerly National Business Manager, ...

The fourth annual One Day Wine School will return again this year in March and April, to educate wine trade professionals on the latest industry trends and Australia’s long wine history. The school aims to provide sommeliers or trade with some prior knowledge of wine with a greater sense of Australia’s wine evolution, its regions and its distinctive terroirs. Wine Educator Aaron Brasher will host the event and take students through several ...

Liquor & Gaming NSW, the state’s new regulatory body for the liquor and gaming industries, has extended the liquor licence freeze in both Sydney CBD Entertainment and King Cross precincts for 12 months. The body is still reviewing the 1.30am lockout and 3am last drinks legislation. The freeze means that no new liquor licences will be granted up until February 2017, including on-premise public entertainment venue, hotel, general bar, club, producer/wholesaler or ...

Former Marketing Manager, Matt Rimmer, has been appointed Head of SouthTrade International and Chair of a newly created Leadership Committee within the company. Together, Rimmer and the Leadership Committee will take over corporate responsibilities from founders Tony Stubley and Dave Higgins. Stubley said that the new appointment will allow himself and Higgins to focus on strategic opportunities for the company. “It is with great pleasure and confidence that after nearly ...

Twelve thousand people will take to Sydney’s streets this weekend to protest against existing lockout laws in NSW. The protest follows the announcement that former High Court Justice, the Hon. Ian Callinan AC QC, will soon lead an independent, evidence-based review of the 1.30am lockouts, 3am last drinks legislation and 10pm restriction of take-away liquor sales. The protest has been initiated by advocacy group Keep Sydney Open, which was set up by industry early in 2014 in ...

One of Sydney’s longest-standing liquor licensees Michael David is celebrating 50 years with the industry; half a century on from when he received his ‘two gallon’ licence on 14 February 2021 – the same date Australia converted to the metric system. Over the last 50 years, David and his family have opened 14 of Sydney’s most successful and well-respected bottle shops. David is also credited for starting Australia’s first-ever discount ...

With less than two weeks till the sold out event, Women in drinks is looking forward to celebrating International Women’s Day 2016 through its annual luncheon on Wednesday, 2 March 2016. “Tickets to the event sold out in early January with ticket holders swift in securing their seat to an event that is fast becoming an industry must do,” said Sandra Przibilla, CEO, the drinks association. Men are encouraged to attend and celebrate ...

Spirits Platform has announced that it has acquired the Bruichladdich Distillery’s portfolio from SouthTrade International, effective April 1. The portfolio includes the Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore single malts as well as The Botanist gin. The sales, marketing and distribution company said in January that it was looking to add more independent, international brands to its portfolio. This acquisition will now give Spirits Platform a footing in the whisky category for the first time, while The Botanist will join existing ...

This unique, fresh Imperial IPA and its striking bottle design is currently making its way onto local shelves around Australia. Keller Door ascends this new variety and first small-batch brew of 2016 from New World hops and straight from 4 Pines’ Brookvale brewery, with the beer landing in stores within hours of bottling. Providing a vast range of different styles each year, this fearless addition is sure to leave a ...